Paula Williams is one of three district facilitators working with nearly 80 Baltimore City schools that are members of the National Network of Partnership Schools. The 1996-97 school year marks Ms. Williams’ second year working with 25 schools in the Southern Area. Many schools boast success stories, in no small part due to her initiative. At the Partnership Schools Training Workshop held in August at Johns Hopkins University, Ms. Williams described some of her past challenges and what she hopes to accomplish this school year.
Ms. Williams plans to work more closely with middle and high schools this year. Secondary schools need help in designing activities that are important for families of early adolescents. She also will work with other Baltimore facilitators, Marsha Powell-Johnson and Brenda Thomas, to develop a leadership workshop for Action Team chairpersons. According to Ms. Williams,
"The chairperson of the Action Team for School, Family, and Community Partnerships is important to what happens or does not happen at the school. The chairpersons at all schools must know how to help their Action Team select practices of partnership to help reach school improvement goals."
Ms. Williams attributes much of the success she has experienced to her Area Superintendent, Dr. Gary Thrift. To support Ms. Williams’ work as Area Facilitator, Dr. Thrift includes her on the agenda of principals’ meetings. He also attends training workshops and end-of-year celebrations with all schools; makes partnerships part of the principals’ evaluations; and recognizes principals whose schools are working hard to develop comprehensive partnership programs. Dr. Thrift sends clear and strong messages to the schools of the Southern Area that partnerships are essential for school improvement. Paula Williams and Dr. Gary Thrift work as a district-level team to help schools improve their own programs.