Donna Williams will always be remembered as the teacher who nurtured and developed a strong French program at LCA. She started her career at LCA and then left for six years. During that time the French program floundered, and Barry Koops and Kim Winsor agreed that we have to get Donna Williams to come back. Teaching a language well requires more than technical knowledge and Donna thrives in a relational environment with students where she models her faith. Elizabeth Nalunga (‘15) says “thank you so much for being authentically you in all that you do. Your heart for Jesus and your students shines so brightly day in and day out.”
Mrs. Williams is a master teacher. She prepares lessons for each class that target student needs and often includes teacher made materials for that group. As a result her students thrive. She includes culture in her curriculum and regularly offered a trip to France so students could use the language. Her husband Jim was a frequent co-chaperone.
Donna has revised the language program at LCA on more than one occasion to keep it current with best practices. Bringing faith into the classroom is one of her strengths. Donna said in an interview, “We seek to help students see language learning as a tool by which we can obey God’s command to love our neighbor and to honor those who speak other languages.” Kristen Todd, one of Donna’s former students, now teaches French at LCA. Kristen and Donna organized French Week to help students learn about French culture and food, Kristen says, “Donna is a master at creating innovative lessons, and she has taught me what it looks like to integrate faith with teaching, because her faith is infused in everything she does. She is a woman of wisdom and humor, incredible kindness and prayer. When I think about who I want to be as a teacher, I simply look to Donna.”
Donna served as the prefect advisor for 20 years, taught 9th grade Bible, served as Division Head, chaperoned many student activities, mentored faculty and always made students feel loved and respected.
WILLIAMS WORLD LANGUAGE AWARD
This award was established in 2022 in honor of Donna Johnson Williams in recognition of her 40 years of dedicated service as a teacher of world languages and a mentor at L.CA. The award is given annually to a junior or senior for outstanding work in world languages.
