Mr. Ken Williams

Just a few moments spent with Mr. Ken Williams, and his number one goal becomes apparent: to help students succeed. As principal of Fox Chapel High School, he clearly displays this focus in everything he says and does. There are many ways that he is working on behalf of the students to kindle their success, but two efforts rise above the rest.

First, Mr. Williams has endeavored to bring a true sense of community in the school. Fox Chapel encompasses six different municipalities: Aspinwall, Blawnox, Indiana Township, Fox Chapel Borough, O’Hara Township, and Sharpsburg. When Mr. Williams became principal three years ago, he noticed the need for all students to feel equally a part of one school. Working with student and parent volunteers, he provided a flag representing each municipality to be hung in the gymnasium. He began stressing his mantra, “six different municipalities…one school.” Next he developed photo I.D.s and distributed them to the Fox Chapel students. These I.D.’s are used to buy lunches, but Mr. Williams plans to expand their uses to include admittance into school dances and extra curricular activities. On the back of the I.D. students have a discount card for area businesses. Both students and faculty have given very positive feedback. Now a strong school sprit serves to unite the students as one body.

The second component of Mr. Williams’ quest for student success is to ensure the students’ well-being. He cares deeply about students enjoying their school environment. One way Mr. Williams endeavors to meet this goal is to get feedback from the students. He explains, “you can get a lot of great insights from the students. You need to listen to them and be around them. They really have excellent suggestions of how to improve the school environment. That’s what we’re here for – it’s for them.”

Mr. Williams believes that the most important job he has as a principal is to make himself accessible to the students. He is so committed to this task that he eats lunch in the cafeteria every day with the students. He enjoys having the kids come to sit with him and “chit chat.” In addition, Mr. Williams keeps the communication flowing with the students in the weekly TV show called “Foxes Den” created by senior student, Lexi Wolff. The show gives students the opportunity to ask Mr. Williams questions about school issues and policies.

With a state-of-the-art TV control room and studio, students completely produce the show under the direction of Doug Martin. Every Monday Mr. Williams fields questions from student council representatives, and uses the platform to announce student achievements and upcoming events. “If a student receives an award, does well academically, in athletics, or if a teacher just wants to recognize a student’s effort, we use the show as a vehicle to put the word out there,” Mr. Williams explains. With this and many other innovative programs, Fox Chapel has received both local and national recognition. Twice they have been awarded the very prestigious “Blue Ribbon School” award, which is given to only 40 quad-A schools in the nation. “To qualify a school must demonstrate new and progressive ways of educating kids paying attention to methodology and pedagogy,” says the proud principal. He commends the administration, faculty, and students for being extremely focused on academics. “The expectation here is that students will succeed. Parents and the administration have very high expectations of the teaching staff.” The crowning trophy of their hard work was winning the New American High School Award, something that only 13 other schools in the nation achieved. “It’s like winning the blue ribbon of Blue Ribbon Schools. It was a great honor,” notes Mr. Williams.

Along with being a dedicated principal, Mr. Williams is a devoted husband and father. His son Conner Michael just celebrated his first birthday. In addition, Mr. Williams is busy as a doctoral student at Duquesne University. If he can grab a spare moment he enjoys hunting and fishing. “Making a difference for the student” is what Mr. Williams likes most about his job. “I like seeing the students succeed. The expectations are high…when they respond in due fashion and do well, it’s very uplifting.” The students in turn appreciate that Mr. Williams is a man who listens to their input and values their ideas. Working together, they are a winning combination.