Wesley G. Williams, II

Wesley G. Williams, II is the Director of the Office of Educator Equity, a new office at the Ohio Department of Education that focuses on implementing the strategies outlined in Ohio’s Teacher Equity Plan. Williams is a former Academic and Performing Arts Complex (APAC) English teacher with Jackson Public Schools in Jackson, MS. In 1998, Mississippi passed and funded the Mississippi Critical Teacher Shortage Act. This historical legislation captured America’s attention because it continues to allocate millions of state funds annually to attract, recruit, retain, and support teachers who teach in the state’s critical shortage areas. Williams became one of the first Professional Teacher Recruiters at the Mississippi Teacher Center at the Department of Education to implement the teacher recruitment and retention incentives. In 2001, he became Director of Teacher Recruitment and Enhancement for the Center, and in 2002, he became Director of the Mississippi Teacher Center in the Office of Quality Educators. In the summer of 2006, Williams served as a reviewer for the USDE to assess the Teacher Equity Plans submitted by the states. Williams received his B.A. at the W.E.B. Dubois Honor's College at Jackson State University and his M.A. at the University of Mississippi. Williams is a part-time graduate student pursuing a doctorate in Multicultural and Equity Studies in Education at The Ohio State University School. Williams volunteers, performs, and serves on the Underground Railroad Advisory Board for the Kelton House, one of the Underground Railroad safe houses in Columbus, Ohio. Williams also performs a dramatization of selected speeches by Frederick Douglass in commemoration of Douglass’ significant contributions to human rights for all.