Ninth grade English teacher Ms. Yolanda Williams is an exceptional teacher, and has been recognized for this quality by being given the title of one of the “Highest Impact Teachers in the State of Florida.” This is an achievement not handed out lightly, as Williams is among only four teachers at Seminole High School who have received this title.

Freshman Riley Triplet notes, “When I first got here, I didn’t know what [high school] was going to be like, but Williams helped me and got me into the school year. […] A normal English teacher changes and betters her curriculum and goes fast. The curriculum that she teaches was all on the FSA; it was easy. I pretty much knew everything.”

Williams always tries her best to maintain a positive attitude, and some of this attitude transfers to her students as well. Positive attitudes make the learning process that much easier, and give students the belief that they can learn and achieve their goals, both within the classroom and without.

Williams says, “I believe that every student, that if they’re given the proper tools to learn, then they can master the learning goal… and that all students should have the opportunity to learn it in the first place.”

The requirements to be nominated for the award are quite extensive, including higher test scores than the average, in-school classroom performance, and an impact on student’s lives extending past the classroom.

“When I realized that my test scores were phenomenal again this year, I wasn’t surprised, because we’ve prepared for these tests all year,” says Williams. “When you put in as much work as we have in our classroom, it’s really not a surprise when you see these [results].”

Williams doesn’t limit herself just to teaching in the classroom, but also helps students outside of the classroom as well. This year is her first time in the driver’s education program here at Seminole, and her students there receive the same type of teaching experience as the students in her English classroom.

Freshman Amari Williams says, “I have Mrs. Williams this year for my 4th period, and she has made me into a better person with a better understanding of different figurative languages like author’s purpose. She is always there to help us and keeps explaining things until we understand. She’s very eccentric.”

Even with such an honor lauded upon her, Williams still fully intends on keeping up her work ethic. She has worked hard to teach her students throughout the year, and both she and her students are reaping the benefits.