Cheryl Williams is not a coach. She does not lead young men and women through the pressure of team building and bonding necessary to win a game or break a record or perform on stage. As a result, her experiences with students are quieter and less emotionally charged than coaches have with kids.
Let me make this very clear, no coach at CCS is more passionate about the success of her students than Cheryl Williams. She celebrates every victory in the classroom, or on the playing field, or in their spiritual lives, even decades after graduation.
I have heard Cheryl speak with passion about two things since I have known her: the lives of her own children Keith, Karen and Kent (sorry, Steve I am sure she's passionate about you, too) and the accomplishments of CCS students. I cannot count the number of times Cheryl has stopped me in staff meetings, and started a conversation with, "guess who I saw yesterday".
I, on the one hand, consider getting a periodic alumni newsletter out to be the height of interpersonal communication. Cheryl, on the other hand, is talking every day to former students on Facebook and email. I will get an email announcing a wedding or a birth involving an alumnus, and Cheryl has known about it for days. Students who have not been in her classroom since they were in 6th grade, may not know it, but she cares about your lives. She prays for your heartaches and proudly announces
your successes.
That care and passion is important, especially because many of her students do not know that their quiet Junior High School English teacher, who told them to tuck in the shirts, really is in their corner. But that care is not what really makes Cheryl Williams the unique asset that she is to CCS.
Quite simply, Cheryl Williams is to CCS what a tape measure is to a carpenter. You know the old saying, "measure twice cut once?" We mean basically the same thing when one staff member says to another, "have you had Cheryl read it?" Cheryl has been for years our plumbline. She has proofed pages and pages of documents and corrected myriads of typos, poor spelling, and poor grammar In fact, as I write this, I am wondering who is going to proof it. It would probably be crass to ask Cheryl,
I suppose. I am kind of hoping someone reads this to her, rather than letting her read it herself. I think she has despaired over my infrequent use of commas (Cheryl, I actually went back and put some in) But we don't ask her to read just to avoid compositional embarrassment, we also lean on her many years of experience at our school. From that experience she has offered many a fresh administrator sound advice.
I said Cheryl is not a coach, but that is not true. She really is a teacher's coach. She has mentored dozens of young teachers, showing them the ropes, offering tips, shepherding them through certification assignments and exams. Any teacher who has modeled his or her professional behavior on the example of Cheryl Williams has put the right foot forward.
I write these comments for two reasons. First, I want Mrs. Williams' students to know what a cheerleader they have in this remarkable teacher. Take some time to write, or call, or visit and, let her know you appreciate her.
My other reason for writing is that I have too often lately spoken my respect for colleagues, after they are gone. I wanted a chance to say these things while Cheryl could still hear the words.
Cheryl, you are a pillar in our temple. Even from your bed, you are standing strong among us. Your stewardship in the classroom will be a standard we will strive to maintain. Your faithfulness in adversity fortifies our own trust in God.
