One Page Bio

Who is Ellen?

For Ellen Williams, Ed.D., gifted/talented is her one true purpose. It is what she knows and understands the most deeply. Williams is coauthor of the latest edition of Removing the Mask: How to Identify and Develop Giftedness in Students from Poverty. A career educator, for the past 15 years Williams helped identify children for gifted/talented programs as the HORIZONS coordinator at Cypress Fairbanks ISD in Houston, Texas, and as senior director of advanced academics in Kerrville ISD, also in Texas. As an administrator she coordinated gifted and talented, dual credit, advanced placement, ESL, and career and technical education programs. She provided staff development for teachers on many topics including curriculum differentiation for the gifted and for English language learners. She has presented numerous workshops at Texas Association of Gifted and Talented state conferences and leadership conferences.

Ellen’s credentials

Degrees

  • Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership, Lamar University
  • Master’s of Education in Gifted and Talented, St. Thomas University
  • Bachelor’s of Science in Curriculum and Instruction, Texas A&M University

Certificates

  • Superintendent’s Certificate, University of Texas at Tyler
  • Principal’s Certificate, Schreiner University
  • Supervision Certificate, St. Thomas University
  • Texas Teaching Certificate, Elementary 1–8 Self-Contained
  • English as a Second Language Certificate 1–8
  • Gifted and Talented Certificate 1–8
  • Elementary English Certificate 1–8

Work history

  • HORIZONS coordinator at Cypress Fairbanks ISD
  • Senior director of advanced academics in Kerrville ISD
  • Nineteen years of classroom experience in grades 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8 in Spring Branch ISD, San Angelo ISD, and Cypress Fairbanks ISD

Selected publications

  • Removing the Mask: How to Identify and Develop Giftedness in Students from Poverty
  • “Scary Smart: Gifted Adolescents and Violence in Schools” in Texas Study
  • “College and Career Readiness Should Not Be Two Separate Things” in Texas School Business
  • “Differentiation for the Gifted: Creating Passionate Teachers and Students” in Instructional Leader

Ellen’s aha! moment

Taking great pride in differentiating the curriculum for diverse students’ needs.

Ellen’s passions

Ellen’s passion is gifted and talented. She wants to see that all children are challenged to achieve according to their individual interests and abilities.

Ellen’s best training

Removing the Mask: How to Identify and Develop Giftedness in Poverty

What does Ellen do for fun?

Ellen’s interests include traveling, reading, and spending time with her grandchildren.