Ryan Williams was named principal of Estes Elementary School and received a standing ovation Sunday night during a special called Site-Based Council meeting. Teachers, parents and staff members cheered loudly for Williams, who was unanimously named principal by the council, thereby removing the interim tag he’s held since July 1, 2019.
According to a press release sent by Owensboro Public Schools, Williams will be taking over for Shari Holtzmeyer, who accepted another position at the end of last year.
“I am honored and humbled to be selected as the next principal of Estes Elementary,” Williams said. “I worked hard with Mrs. Holtzmeyer when she was here to change the perception of our school, and I am committed to continuing to push myself, our staff and our students to reach our full potential.”
At Sunday’s meeting, Williams said his desire for improvement stemmed from his struggles in school as a child.
“If it weren’t for the teachers who pushed me, I wouldn’t be where I am,” he said, adding that he’d worked with “exceptional teams” at both Cravens and Estes.
“They were like well-oiled machines, and I want to continue that at Estes,” Williams said.
Williams brings more than 20 years of teaching and administrative experience from his time at OPS to his new role. Williams began teaching at Cravens in 1999 and remained there until he accepted a position as curriculum coordinator at Estes in 2012, then worked his way to assistant principal in 2018.
“Ryan has more than two decades invested in the kids and families of OPS,” said Interim Superintendent Matthew Constant. “He has been a part of Estes for the past seven years and his visionary skills, his passion and his undying care for the students helped him eclipse other qualified applicants. I couldn’t be more excited to work with Ryan on this opportunity.”
Williams credited his OPS students, both past and present, for teaching him about life and resiliency during his path to becoming principal.
“They’re just amazing,” he said. “I promise you, I won’t fail you, and I can’t wait to get started.”
