From RISD to Cambodia
Caleb Williams Local teacher is taking his skills to the Peace Corps MELISSA WHITLER | NBCU Fellow Melissa@DallasVoice.com Caleb Williams has spent the last two years teaching ninth graders in Richardson Independent School District.
But this August, he will be traveling to Cambodia to teach English as part of The Peace Corps. Williams is originally from Oklahoma but said he was drawn to Texas schools by better pay and more diverse schools.
In his time at Richardson ISD, he’s taught students from all over the world, including Nigeria, Iraq and Burma. He’s also had experience teaching across different achievement levels, having taught on-level, special education inclusion and AP English classes. “It has been great getting to teach the full range of freshman students,” Williams said. “Different kinds of students use different parts of your energy, so it doesn’t feel like doing the same thing over and over again each period.” Of course, finishing out this past school year was bittersweet for Williams after committing to the Peace Corps. “I’ve had mixed feelings about leaving,” he explained. “I’m really excited about this next adventure, but I’m going to miss this school.” After two years on the job in Richardson ISD, Williams felt much more comfortable in his role as a teacher and had fallen into the routine of the school.
Many of his former students came to say goodbye after he announced his departure. “Some days you don’t feel like you had an impact, and then a student you haven’t seen comes back and tells you how much you’ve inspired them,” Williams said.
