Mt. Vernon Middle School principal to change careers

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Benjamin Williams

FORTVILLE — After more than 15 years at Mt. Vernon Middle school, including the past four as principal, Benjamin Williams is making a career change.

He’s going to work for a small company in Indianapolis in the areas of consulting and business development. His last day at the middle school will be Jan. 15. Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation plans to announce an interim principal before Williams leaves and secure his replacement later in the year.

Williams started at the school in August 2005. He taught math, coached the Math Academic Team and served as a department leader as well as on many committees as a teacher. He coached football at the middle school and Mt. Vernon High School. In December 2012, he became assistant principal at the middle school before becoming principal in fall 2016.

He said he has a lot of fond memories at Mt. Vernon.

“Simply having fun teaching students math in class is memorable,” Williams told the Daily Reporter in an email. “Seeing students who would walk into my math class in August saying that they hated math, and then making connections with those students over the school year, and seeing the light bulb turn on for them.”

Similar moments would occur out in public, he continued, when he’d see former students who’d tell him he was their favorite math teacher, or that they hated the subject until taking his class.

“Compliments like that remind you that you are making a difference in lives,” Williams said.

Coaching football created plenty of good memories too.

“We had a lot of success on the field when I coached at MVMS with a few undefeated seasons,” he said. “But more importantly, helping so many young men grow up, persevere and mature with true character and integrity. Football can bring out so many important life lessons.”

He was involved in initiatives like the school’s Push-Up Club with colleague Carey Cole as well as the annual Black History Concert and Veterans Day Ceremony.

There were challenging times too, Williams said, like leading the school through its extensive construction project with three grades in two buildings for multiple years. In 2019, he helped staff and students through the death of middle school teacher Adam Bisesi. Williams also led the school through the beginning stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“A school is a team, and I am proud to have worked with so many outstanding teachers, instructional assistants, office staff, custodians, cafe workers, bus drivers, tech assistants, librarians, counselors and fellow administrators,” he said. “Mt. Vernon is a special place, and I am confident that MV is headed towards even newer heights of success for the future.”

Maria Bond, director of community relations for the Mt. Vernon school district, told the Daily Reporter in an email that the district is reviewing all options for an interim principal and will make an announcement to staff and parents before Williams’ last day. The school corporation plans to have a permanent replacement start in June 2021. The interim principal will begin on Jan. 19 and serve through June 9, 2021.

Bond said the school corporation wishes Williams the best in his future endeavors.

“He has positively inspired many students and been a great asset to Mt. Vernon since he began as a math teacher in 2005,” she said.