Jeremy Williams – Bartlesville High School STEM teacher 

By Trina Walker

Student-athletes are students first. Jeremy Williams, Bartlesville High School STEM teacher, believes both athletic and academic competitions create a positive school culture boosting school spirit, identity, and pride. As school representatives it is important that student-athletes “do their job in the classroom, set an example for their peers, and apply the same leadership skills they’ve developed on the field in the classroom,” he said.

Williams teaches Computer Science Essentials and Engineering Essentials. Both are Project Lead the Way courses. He is also the lead advisor for BHS’s Technology Student Association and the VEX Robotics team coach.

His students placed in the top ten at the TSA national conference this summer. One team placed second overall in the nation for Data Science and Analytics. “I am proud of the progress I have made in the development of my school’s TSA and robotics programs in the past three years. We have consistently placed well in many events at the state level and have improved our performance at national competitions,” Williams said. 

His courses are project-based. “Students develop unique solutions to problems that don’t have a well-defined solution. My classroom goals are to expose students to as many career pathways in STEM as I can and help them develop the skills needed to be successful team members,” he says.

Williams’ students have taught him the value of being a good team member. “The success of any project or organization is a direct result of the quality and commitment of team members,” he said.

Motivating students who have given up is his biggest challenge in teaching. “In far too many cases, these students come from extremely challenging home lives that make the hour or so I spend with them daily trying to help seem insignificant,” he says. 

However, when students find their motivation, it leads to the most rewarding part of teaching which is witnessing the work ethic and determination of highly motivated students. “Some students are just machines at getting stuff done and are truly inspiring,” praises Williams.

It is important for teachers to remain motivated to be effective in the classroom. Enjoying his free time outdoors fishing, hiking, and camping with friends and family are a few ways Williams reenergizes so he can continue motivating students.

Williams’ wife is a speech-language pathologist for the Bartlesville School District. Their son is a freshman on the BHS swim team and swims with Bartlesville Splash Club. Williams spends many weekends volunteering as a stroke and turn official at his son’s swim meets.