LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Petre-Ann Williams's nominator wishes to remain anonymous.

Pines Middle School is a Title I school that has seen many changes in the past few years, and Mrs. Williams has played a big role in those changes. She goes out of her way to make sure that students have equal opportunities to succeed. She has taken on additional roles to give students what they need to succeed. In addition to being the guidance director, Mrs. Williams is the Student Government Sponsor, Activity Director for Summer Academic Recovery, and the Cross Country/Track Coach. She also organizes additional school activities.

Mrs. Williams leads the guidance department for her school, which means she provides leadership to the other counselors and disseminates district information to the school body. Broward County is the 6th largest school district in the nation, so she makes a effort to ensure that teachers and students are in line with district and state guidelines. She offers a productive academic environment for all. 

The majority of her students have college dreams, but no financial means, so Mrs. Williams recently organized a field trip to a local community college. Roughly 130 7th grade students attended. Many of the students had never been to a college campus, and many of them didn't have any family members who graduated from a college or university.  Most recently, under her leadership, Pines Middle School was recognized as one of the top five middle schools in the district, which aided in preparing students for college and future careers through a program called Naviance.

After the devastating tragedy in Parkland, Florida, Mrs. Williams organized a scholarship fund/drive. She raised $500 to give to a deserving student from Marjory Stoneman Douglas to use towards books and supplies for college.

"She believed that when our students see themselves as victims, she could show them how raising funds and giving back would make a difference for someone else," the nominator said.

Mrs. Williams also created a parent night called "Pines University." This was a night where she partnered with various community agencies and invited parents to choose several workshops to enhance students' academic, social and emotional needs, while building parenting skills for those who need a little extra guidance.

Among the many things that Mrs. Williams does, she also created a summer academic course recovery program several years ago. Every year, for the past seven years, she willingly gives up her summer to work with failing students in an effort to get them the credits need to matriculate on to the next grade level. She brings in state-certified teachers in each area to make sure that a certified teacher is in front of the students at all times, while utilizing high school students as tutors to enhance student learning. 

"Mrs. Williams has such a heart for kids that she even chose to be the inaugural boys' and girls' cross country coach for this school year," the nominator said. "This was the first time our school has ever had a team in Cross Country, but true to form, she stepped up and led the team to a winning season."

Mrs. Williams organizes scavenger hunts for the kids as well as trivia contests to help them learn fun facts throughout the school year. Various months bring about different facts for kids to think about. It's always good to see students running to find her in the hallways to give her an answer for the morning trivia.

As busy as Mrs. Williams is, she continues to organize Flag Days, Black History programs, College Days, Multicultural events and a hoard of other activities throughout the school year. She always finds time to serve on the school's Leadership team, Testing Committee, Foundation team, and RTI team. She has also been recognized by her principal for a wide variety of in-house accolades.

After seeing how the students struggle academically, Mrs. Williams was instrumental in helping to fundraise and write a grant to Walmart for matching funds to purchase two TVs for the school cafeteria. These TVs run important information and fun facts for the students to learn during lunch time.

"Along with the Unified Arts department, Mrs. Williams sold pizza after school on a weekly basis to help raise the matching funds, so that a difference truly could be made in the lives of the young people we teach daily," the nominator said. "She has said on many occasions that 'parents are sending their very best to us, so we have to give our very best to them, no matter where they are socially, academically or otherwise.'"