DUBLIN, Ga. — The Dublin City School District has struck gold once again!
Their school superintendent brought home a big award, and he was nominated by his school board for it.
Dr. Fred Williams started his time at the Dublin City School District working as a P.E. teacher. Now, after 30 years of commitment to the kids and the district, he's been named the 2024 Georgia Superintendent of the Year.
Williams says he's spent almost his entire career in the Dublin City School System.
He's cheered on his students on and off the field as a football coach for the Dublin Fighting Irish, and got the chance to be a principal and school superintendent.
"This is a calling, it's not a job," Williams said. "We know in education that you have to Maslow before you bloom. If you're not meeting the needs of the whole child, there's no way that you'll be able to teach them the ABCs and 123s."
Every year, school board leaders, regional education agencies and businesses nominate leaders for the superintendent of the year.
This year, Williams was shocked that he won, but he couldn't resist thanking those who got him where he is now.
"You don't get this honor by yourself," Williams said. "It's all of the students, it's the staff, it's the community, it's all of the different entities that partner with the school system that help a school system be all it can be for the young people in the community that the school system serves."
Dublin City Schools' Director of Communications Ashley-Michelle Thublin said Williams is determined to be an example for his students.
"He really and truly wants his students to know that they have a trusting, loving adult in their corner and he wants to be part of their growth and development," Thublin said. "He wants to make sure he's providing them with the best education they can possibly get."
After working with several superintendents, Thublin has seen him make the most change within the city of Dublin.
"For him, he's been here for 30 years, it's a lot more than a job," Thublin said. "It's his passion and it's his calling and it's really prevalent when you get to work alongside him day in and day out."
Now, Williams will compete for the National Superintendent of the Year in February of 2024. The School Superintendents Association will award the National Superintendent of the Year at their annual conference in San Diego, California.
Baldwin County's Noris Price won the state honor last year and in 2019, Bibb County's Superintendent Curtis Jones took home the State and National Superintendent of the Year award.