By Fred L. Jones, Jr.
Eagle Staff Writer
Carlisha Williams is an acclaimed philanthropic leader, U.S. Goodwill Ambassador, educator and social enterprise consultant, Williams lends her spirit, expertise and voice as an advocate for women and girls worldwide. As the founder of Women Empowering Nations (WEN), a nonprofit devoted to the educational and economic empowerment of girls, Williams has solidified herself as one of the most significant and influential world shakers of her generation.
Williams stated, “Some of my fondest childhood memories were spent at our kitchen table. Not having family dinner as most would imagine. It was sitting together as a family grading papers for my father’s Booker T. Washington High School English classes. I was elated to see the stack of papers on the table, red pens, and his green grade book. He spent countless hours outside of class mentoring young Black men, preparing lessons, providing students with individualized learning opportunities, coaching, going to activities supporting his students, and working multiple jobs to support our family due to the extreme limitations of his teacher salary. I would watch him balance it all while working after school hours and needing to wear a back brace under the suit and tie he wore to class every day because of the physical demands and strain his additional employment placed on his body. While my father loved his profession and his students, his other jobs and the business began to pay double in comparison to his full year’s salary working as a teacher.”
Williams also stated, “He finally left his passion and the classroom to provide his family with a better life here in Oklahoma. As I now watch him volunteer serving students at Tulsa Legacy through Reading Partners and work with Talk, Read, and Sing at First Baptist Church North Tulsa, I wonder how many more community leaders, educators, and entrepreneurs would there be in our city if they had exposure to his leadership, love, example, rigor, and push for excellence in the classroom if they had him and more Black men as a teacher. Like many teachers in Oklahoma today, he didn’t leave the classroom because he didn’t love the work. It’s a shame that incredible educators who have had profound impact on children are continuing to leave the classroom. Never should an educator have to choose between a living wage and pursuing their passion for shaping the path of our next generation.”
Oklahoma education is in a state of emergency and Oklahoma has steadily declined for a decade. According to the Oklahoma Policy Institute, state funding for public schools remains $179 million dollars below what it was in 2008 while enrollment has increased by over 50,000 students since 2008. Per pupil state aid funding to public schools is 28 percent below amounts in 2008. Teachers have gone for over a decade without an increase to the salary schedule and school districts this past year issued 1,800 emergency teaching certifications. Teachers are leaving in droves and our state legislature has continued to fail our students, teachers, and our state in appropriating proper funding for education.
Williams again stated, “As a charter school leader, I boldly stand side by side with Tulsa Public Schools and educators across our state in voicing the need for increased funding for our teachers and public education. The funding for charter public education is even less than traditional public schools. Charter schools do not have the benefit of ad valorem, motor vehicle tax, access to bond dollars, etc. Our main funding source is state and federal funds. In addition, charter schools pay a 5 percent authorizing fee to the charter authorizer. For years, charters in Oklahoma have worked to do more with less.”
Williams also stated, “Some hold the notion that charters literally take money from traditional school districts which is a vast misconception. The Oklahoma state funding formula provides an amount per pupil. Those dollars for the student follow them to the public school they are enrolled in. Should a parent choose a public charter school or choose to enroll their child in another traditional school district, the money for that scholar goes to the school the scholar attends whether it is Tulsa Public Schools, Jenks, Union, or a local public charter school. I believe every child and parent should be able to exercise that choice.”
Williams thoughts on Tulsa north schools stating, “Choice is a strong held option in Tulsa north and we see it as students enroll in phenomenal magnet programs at schools like Carver and Booker T. Washington. Both schools are building a path for students to have great opportunities in higher education. Both of those schools require applications for admission based on previous academic and behavioral records. Magnet schools provide choices for families, which are much needed. Charter schools strive to do the same thing without the barrier to entry. However, both can only serve limited populations, so a larger solution is desperately needed to ensure that all students in our city have access to an excellent education.
Her captivating message transcends the mentoring and educational platform, as the bestselling author of “Choosing Faith Over Fear: 14 Days of Life-Changing Lessons.” The breakout book, released in November 2015, is a powerful, inspirational work for dream chasers who are ready to stretch beyond limits, burst through barriers and relentlessly pursue their true calling.
Carlisha Williams is a true force to be reckoned with in education and education administration. She may someday be the Superintendent of Schools for the State of Oklahoma.
For more information please visit www.carlisha.com.
