McKinney, Texas – After five years as the assistant principal of Eddins Elementary, Ashley Williams will take on a new leadership role next year as the principal of Wolford Elementary. With a career spanning 14 years in education, Williams brings to the job expertise in special education, gifted and talented and ESL as well as a broad range of experience working with leaders, teachers and students from diverse backgrounds.

Her selection was approved by the MISD Board of Trustees Tuesday night.

“I am very pleased with Ashley’s selection as Wolford’s new principal,” said Suzy Woodard, MISD Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Student Support. “She has many of the qualities and characteristics that the Wolford staff let me know are important to them, and I feel like Ashley is a great match. Wolford is a fabulous, high-performing school, and I know Ashley is going to respect the traditions and the things that are already in place and working so beautifully there. She is going to be a valued addition to an already amazing team.”

The position became available when longtime Wolford Principal Fran Gratt announced her plan to retire at the conclusion of the 2021–2022 school year.

Williams spent the first six years of her career in several smaller districts west of the metroplex as first a middle school science teacher and then as an intervention teacher, collaborating with classroom teachers to develop instructional differentiation strategies for students.

In 2014, she joined the staff of Webb Elementary as a gifted and talented teacher. During her time at Webb, Williams coordinated the development and implementation of GT math and science curriculum, designed professional development focused on meeting the diverse instructional needs of students and helped develop a project-based curriculum that created a unique opportunity for Webb GT students to participate in the planning of a McKinney playground inclusive to children with special needs.

After three years at Webb, Williams moved from the classroom into an administrative role to serve as the assistant principal of Eddins Elementary alongside Principal Sharon Havard. Among her many duties at Eddins, Williams has served as the school’s point person for special education, collaborating with the special education department about campus-specific needs.

But, in addition to her responsibilities at Eddins over the past five years, Williams has also served in broader leadership roles in the district. She’s been an assistant principal mentor and a district administrative work group leader. She’s served as facilitator of a vertical math professional learning community focused on student progress, intervention and enrichment.

“I have grown so much during my time at Eddins Elementary and am very grateful for my opportunities there,” said Williams. “I am extremely thankful for the connections I have made during the last five years. Sharon Havard has taught me how to lead with my heart with a community focus. I will forever value my days serving the Eddins Wildcats.”

Now, Williams looks ahead to Wolford. ”I am so appreciative to be chosen to serve the Wolford family,” she said. “It’s truly an honor to have the opportunity to partner with such outstanding students, an extremely committed staff and a supportive school community.”

Williams earned her bachelor’s degree in general studies from West Texas A&M University and her master’s degree in educational administration from Lamar University.

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