Oregon governor picks former Camas schools administrator to lead OR’s education department

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has selected Charlene Williams, the former assistant superintendent of the Camas School District, to serve as Oregon’s next director of the Oregon Department of Education director and as the state’s deputy superintendent of public instruction. 

“Dr. Williams is an exceptional leader and educator, and I believe will be a transformative, inclusive education director for all of Oregon,” Governor Kotek stated in a news release announcing the decision on Tuesday, June 27. “My vision is to make sure every child is successful and has a safe place to receive a high-quality public education. We have work to do to build toward that vision. I’m thrilled to work with someone who is highly skilled in developing and implementing programs designed at closing education gaps. Dr. Williams is strategic, thoughtful, hard-working, and exactly the leader our state education system needs at this moment.”

Williams, who currently works as the deputy superintendent of the Evergreen Public Schools district in Vancouver, is the first Black woman in Oregon’s history to be appointed to the role. 

Williams served as the assistant superintendent of Camas schools from 2016 to 2022, where she “supervised principals, designed professional development opportunities, and facilitated district level meetings and trainings to better align district services and support to schools,” according to the state of Oregon news release. “This included facilitating the adoption of the district’s first equity policy, establishing affinity groups for staff and students, and the creation of community forums for Camas residents to discuss equity issues. She was a recipient of the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) Award for promoting access, equity, and social justice for students.”

Prior to coming to the Camas School District, Williams worked for seven years for Portland Public Schools, where she helped redesign the teacher evaluation system as that district’s senior director of school performance. 

In 2021, Williams was one of the Camas School Board’s top four superintendent finalists. In her interview for the Camas schools superintendent position, Williams said she was a strong believer in using student data to inform a school district’s practices. 

“(We should be) using our student performance and experience as an anchor and a guide,” Williams said in her 2021 videotaped interview. “We can’t effect change without examining those closest to the change, without working with and listening to those closest to where change is needed.” 

Williams added during that 2021 interview that part of her journey as a math teacher, principal and school district administrator has always been dedicated to producing equitable outcomes for students. 

“I am rooted and grounded in the belief that equity work isn’t its own separate strand of work but who we are as educators when we truly believe in each and every child’s success,” Williams told the Camas community in her 2021 interview. “We need to continue to support our staff so they feel they have the tools to continue to be successful in doing this (equity) work. That is instrumental in ensuring each and every student is successful.” 

Williams’ dedication to equity work was noted in the news release announcing her new position as Oregon’s top education leader. 

Oregon Department of Education Director Colt Gill said they were confident Williams would continue the Oregon Department of Education’s “commitment to serving each and every student in Oregon’s 197 diverse school districts and striving toward equitable access to education for all our children.”

 “Throughout the process I learned that Dr. Williams is a collaborator, she believes every student matters,” Gill stated, “and that she is deeply committed to serving all of Oregon’s kids. She is the right leader for Oregon schools at this time.”

Williams’ appointment as the next head of Oregon’s education department followed a national search that included candidate interviews with students and educators throughout Oregon as well as tribal education directors.

“I have dedicated my life to education because I’ve seen firsthand how a positive student-teacher relationship can set a child on a successful path for the rest of their life,” Williams stated in the news release. “First and foremost, my goal will be to support students in every corner of the state so that they have the same chance to succeed. I recognize the significance of my appointment to this role and the immense amount of work we have ahead of us. I’m looking forward to building partnerships with students, educators and families across Oregon that advance equity and student success.”