The Wright City R-II School District will welcome a new middle school principal in July.Dave Williams has been hired to lead the building, replacing Steve Richards, who spent one year in the position.Williams comes to Wright City from the New England area, where he served in multiple administrative capacities. For the past three years he was a principal in the lakes region of New Hampshire.“What really attracted me to here, and what I really like about this place, is that it really is sort of a learning culture,” said Williams. “I’m really impressed with district and building level administration. It just seems like the district is sort of moving in the right direction, and it’s a really good fit for me. Especially in terms of the instructional leadership.”Williams says he relocated to Missouri for family reasons, after growing up north of Boston. He began his career as a middle school science teacher, before taking over as assistant principal at New Market Junior and Senior High School.Williams then moved on to head a large middle school with 700 students in York, Maine.R-II Superintendent Dr. David Buck says Williams was an obvious choice for the position out of an extensive search process that included a panel of 21 people and five subgroups.Four candidates were chosen for an extensive series of five one-hour interviews.“It was clear and unanimous that Dave was the No. 1 candidate,” said Buck. “His assessment work is amazing. His reference calls were very high, with the word ‘inspirational’ continually being used. He’s very much a collaborator.”“I pride myself on my instruction and leadership,” said Williams. “I’ve done a lot of school reform work.”Williams admits that middle school can be the most challenging age to teach and lead but has willingly accepted the task for its payoffs.“It’s by far one of the most difficult places to teach, but I think it’s the most rewarding and important place to teach,” said Williams. “If you’re going to make a difference in the life of a young person, you’re going to do it in early adolescence. They’re literally beginning to form their adult identity while they’re here, so to me it’s a profound responsibility.”

Dave Williams has been hired as the new head principal at Wright City Middle School. Williams comes to R-II from New Hampshire and will make his transition on July 1. Williams replaces Steve Richards, who spent one year in the district. 

Record photo/Derrick Forsythe