We recently reported that Ana Ortega, principal at Aki Kurose Middle School for one year, had resigned “unexpectedly” and that Mia Williams – a Rainier Valley community member for two decades – had been appointed interim principal.
Aki Kurose, a key school in the district’s Southeast Initiative, has been under increased scrutiny this summer since a 14-year old student reported being raped by another student in a school bathroom.
Shortly thereafter, an instructional aide at Aki Kurose was charged with three counts of child molestation and one count of communicating with a minor for immoral purposes after witnesses saw him rubbing his crotch against two girls – now ages 11 and 14 – from behind during Saturday morning English immersion classes at Aki Kurose over the past two years.
So the shakeup at the top of the administrative team comes at a critical time for the troubled school. Just when the Southeast Initiative – the district’s last-ditch effort to improve student performance is about to swing into high gear.
Community members are hoping that Ms. Williams has what it takes to help steer Aki Kurose in the right direction.
According to Seattle Public Schools (SPS) chief academic officer Carla Santorno, “Mia Williams brings a wealth of experience to the position and will be an excellent fit for Aki Kurose Middle School. She is a strong educational leader and knows well the strengths of the school.”
SPS spokesperson David Tucker told us that Mia served as assistant principal at Denny Middle School for four years and assistant principal for three years at Salmon Bay School. She previously taught within Seattle Public Schools for seven years and received the Distinguished Assistant Principal of the Year Award for 2002-2003.
He said that Mia has extensive experience with Readers Writers Workshop, literacy coaching and has been trained at the Teachers College of Columbia University in New York. She earned a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies as well as a Principal Certification from the University of Washington’s rigorous Danforth Educational Leadership Program.
In addition, David shared the following letter that Mia sent to the Aki Kurose school community just last month:
Dear Aki Kurose Middle School Families:
My name is Mia Williams and it is with great enthusiasm that I join the Aki Kurose Middle School community as your new Interim Principal. Being the principal of Aki Kurose is my dream job for many reasons. I am greatly looking forward to partnering with all of you to give our students what each and every one of them deserve—a top-quality, rigorous education that will prepare them well for success in high school, college and life.
Wonderful things have been said about the commitment of the students, staff and families at Aki Kurose—I know this as an educator and as a resident of the Rainier Valley. At the same time, to achieve our dreams for all of our students, we have a lot of work to do. My first priority will be to meet—and learn from—all of you as soon as possible.
I would like you to know that I am truly committed to public education, believing that outstanding public middle schools will enable us as a society to move closer to achieving social justice. It is my belief that all students can learn within a challenging, nurturing and safe school community. With my personal commitment to kids’ learning and well-being, my life’s work is to make a positive impact in the lives of all kids—I will do everything I can to care for your children, as if they were my own.
To Aki Kurose, I am bringing fourteen years of experience as an educator in the Seattle Public Schools. For the past four years, I have served as the Assistant Principal of Denny Middle School. Prior to Denny, I was the Assistant Principal of Salmon Bay School and taught at Cleveland HS, John Marshall, Rainier Beach HS and New Options Middle School. Before entering into the field of education I enjoyed working with the community at Southwest and Miller Community Centers.
Thanks to a great team effort already underway, this school year, beginning on the very first day, Aki Kurose Middle School will be a place that:
- Is safe and personalized. We will build strong relationships and get to know each student and family well.
- Holds high expectations for the achievement of academic excellence by every student. Students will be engaged in culturally relevant and rigorous learning activities. We believe that we are preparing every student to be eventually ready for college.
- Celebrates our wonderful diversity. There is a substantial educational benefit of being part of such a vibrant, racially and culturally diverse school community. Family involvement is critically important and is welcomed and appreciated
I know it will be a fabulous 2008-2009 school year at Aki Kurose Middle School—I am looking forward to meeting you!
Sincerely,
Mia Williams, Interim Principal
David also shared Mia’s personal mission statement:
To make a positive difference in the lives of kids—all kids.
I try to meet this moral commitment by leading with my core values. Below are my professional core values which I will use to guide my decisions and actions consistently.
Core Values:
- Believing that all kids can learn with high expectations and support: academically, socially and emotionally.
- Being student-centered—all decisions are based on what is best for kids.
- Leading with collaborative, data-driven and shared decision-making.
- Promoting social justice and equity in effort to close the achievement gap throughout our school.
- Integrating multiculturalism into school culture/student learning as we celebrate diversity.
- Building strong relationships and demonstrating integrity and goodwill.
Who to know, where to eat & what to do in one of America’s most diverse zip codes!
