Teresa Williams has been hard at work on the betterment of Ambler for the last two decades.

Twenty years ago, Teresa Williams moved to Ambler, and in the two decades since, serving this community in whatever way she can has become her passion.

Perhaps the most direct impact she has had on the area has come through her work on the Wissahickon School Board. Nov. 23 marked Williams' last meeting as a board member after eight years of service.

It was Williams' commitment to the people of Ambler that motivated her to run for the board in the first place back in 2001.

"When I decided to run, they were talking about closing Mattison Avenue [Elementary School]," she said. "I though it was very important to the Ambler community to keep Mattison Avenue open, so that was my main focus at that time."

Eight years later, Mattison Avenue Elementary remains open, but Williams' work stretched far beyond that single issue.

When asked what accomplishment she was proudest of, Williams was quick to defer credit from herself and share it with her fellow school directors.

"I can't really say I did anything because we work together as a board, but I can say I was instrumental in improving the safety of the schools, the technology, the curriculum — everything has a major part in students learning and achieving," she said. "Whatever I could get my hands in and help out with, I would do."

Fellow board member Barb Moyer praised Williams for her efforts.

"She has always made decisions that are in the best interest of our entire school community," Moyer wrote in an e-mail. "From day one, her top priority has been to improve the achievement of all our students. She has been an ardent supporter of the vo-tech program and a vocal proponent of providing a safe school environment in which all our students can learn. Over the past eight years, Teresa has supported the district as it implemented numerous initiatives, which have resulted in increased student achievement while running its operations more efficiently."

While serving on the board, Williams made it a point to encourage the district's students to stay focused on achieving their potential and to look at the long-term picture.

"My main focus is children," she said. "I believe all students should learn and broaden their horizons — not only in school but in the community. What I want to get out to the youth is stay focused and make positive plans. I stress to the parents set expectations for your children and make sure they meet them."

While many know Williams for her contributions to the school district, she also supports the community's safety through her job with the Ambler Borough Police Department, where she has worked for over a decade.

"I started with the police department as a crossing guard, went on to be a meter attendant and now I'm a secretary," Williams said. "It's really been a journey. My main focus there is making sure things work smoothly. It's a joy working for [Chief William Foley] and the officers and working for the community."

Williams' experience with the department has been extremely positive, but it was actually a terrible accident that prompted her to become involved with public safety.

In 1993, Williams' car was broadsided by a drunk driver. Since then, Williams has been an advocate for vehicle safety, speaking to groups about the importance of car seats for children, and stressing the dangers of drinking and driving to teenagers was always a priority during her time on the school board.

Outside of the board and the police department, Williams is heavily involved with her church in Philadelphia. She is a youth leader, organizing children's events, and an active member of the church's women's group, which recently held a Thanksgiving dinner for some of the city's less fortunate and is in the midst of running a blanket drive.

However, despite all of her commitments and involvement, Williams has always kept one top priority: her family.

"I'm very family-oriented," said Williams, who lives with her husband, son and daughter. "Even though [my children are] older, I want to stay involved and let them know I'm here. Family is very important, and today's society doesn't give you much time for family."

Click to see the original article and a great photo of Terrie.

© 2009 MontgomeryNews.com, a Journal Register Property

I am an Ambler resident and reside with my husband Cleneth Williams II of 23 years and my two children Cleneth III and Tiffany Antoinette.  Both were educated in the Wissahickon School system and are very successful in college.

While my children were in the school district I was very active in the PTA’s and volunteered my service in various aspects in the elementary, middle and high school.

In November 2001 I was elected to the Wissahickon School Board and re-elected in November 2005.  During my terms, I have served as the Boards representative at the North Montco Technical Career Center.  In addition, I have also served on the following: Policy Committee, Curriculum/ Technology Committee, and Facilities/ transportation Committee in which I severed as chairperson.

I am very proud to say that during my tenure on the board I have been very instrumental in its success and accomplishments.  However, the job is not complete for we have not archived excellence, and I would consider it an honor to continue to help steer this board toward excellence.  If re-elected I will continue to work diligently for you by keeping your concerns my concerns and exercising fiscal restraint.

I am Teresa Williams, your neighbor, your friend and your representative.

At the Wissahickon High School Graduation, Thursday, June 11th, 2009, I gave two awards in remembrance of my late daughter in the Jasmine Danielle Williams Memorial Award.

The criteria is a student to be enrolled in a school of higher learning or vocational institute and practices good school/community citizenship and has a GPS or 3.0 or better.

Brandon Moore	Tara Willis

We are the endorsed Democratic candidates for the Wissahickon School District

The School District is important not only because it sets policy for the Schools but its actions shape our students, affects our property values and sets our taxes.

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215-643-2237  amtct@aol.com

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