PROFESSIONAL BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Jonathan Williams, Ph.D., is a native New Orleanian.  Jonathan attended and received a B.A., in Elementary Education (1992) from Xavier University of Louisiana. He received a M.Ed., in Curriculum & Instruction (1999) and a Doctorate in Educational Administration (2012), both from the University of New Orleans. 

A 25-year educator, he began his career as a classroom teacher in New Orleans Public School (NOPS) at Lafayette Elementary School.  After experiencing success as a classroom teacher, he was recognized as Teacher of the Year (1998) and two years later, promoted to NOPS central office as an administrator (Associate Director—Curriculum, Instruction and Educational Support Programs).  Three years later he was appointed Principal of Henry W. Allen Fundamental Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.  One month before Hurricane Katrina, Jonathan was recruited and appointed Principal of Medard H. Nelson Charter School.  Following Hurricane Katrina, Jonathan was promoted to Elementary Director of Schools—Capital One/UNO Charter Network and led the reopening efforts of Medard H. Nelson, Capdau and Gentilly Terrace Charter Schools. 

In 2010 Jonathan joined a national consultant group, The New Teacher Project (TNTP) to help the LA Recovery School District (RSD) develop a more vibrant and robust human capital initiative.  More specifically, he worked with a small team of consultants to develop Pathways to Instructional Excellence; a comprehensive teacher evaluation tool.  During this time he trained and coached over 100 principals (and their leadership teams) on how to rate teachers accurately and create prescriptive teacher development plans that are aligned to student growth targets. As a result of this work, not only did teacher quality improve, but commensurate student outcomes were evident throughout the RSD.

Dr. Williams continued his work with the RSD and was appointed RSD-Director of Schools; charged with building leader and teacher capacity.  He directly supervised all RSD principals and co-managed the RSD Central Office Achievement Team.  The cumulative result of his work led to improved student outcomes across the RSD:  the remaining 11 direct-run schools were removed from the list of failing schools within one school year; and two schools were recognized by the Louisiana Department of Education as Top Gains Schools!

 In December of 2016, Dr. Williams founded EduSolve Consultants, LLC., where he currently serves as the Executive Director.  Consultants at EduSolve provide leadership coaching and job-embedded, teacher development for charter schools across Louisiana.