Sam Williams–Teaching Staff

Believe in yourself, learn, and never stop wanting to build a better world.
—Mary McLeod Bethune

Samuel Marcus Williams (he/him) is in his 7th year as a member of the PSCS Teaching Staff and collaborative leadership team. Prior to that, he spent several years at the Westside School, Stevens School, and was a Literacy Teacher at TOPS K-8. However, Sam’s teaching/facilitation experience goes back to the mid-90s, where he got his start as a preschool teacher and an elementary school assistant, after receiving his degree in Youth Studies from Southern University. Sam has training/certification in Youth Mental Health First Aid, neuro-divergent teaching strategies, racial and gender equity facilitation, caucusing, and more. He is currently working toward his Master’s in Child & Youth Psychology.

Sam’s lived experience and decades in education support students at all ages to meet challenges wholeheartedly, to love learning, and to embrace who they are and HOW they learn; He offers all of us a positive approach to collaboration and in keeping our shared liberation at the forefront of our practices. Sam partners often with MoPop, creates and produces music, and is an active church leader, specializing in urban outreach and youth ministries—often sitting at the table with leaders like Rev. Rafael Warnock.

Sam is an Advisor to students and offers important classes at PSCS that are intentional and rooted in his lived experience and Critical Race curriculum. He loves to share with students and tell stories, fusing joy with challenging discourse. Last year, some of his offerings included, Afro-Indigenous History, WA State History (through the realities of the Indigenous American perspective), Black Music Experience, Cinema, Civics, Podcasting, Linguistic Anthropology, Scientific Research & Skills, digital music, Art & Aesthetics, Gaming, and many more.

He has been a resident of the Pacific Northwest since the mid 80s, but originates from the hot flatlands of Dallas, Texas. He lives on Capitol Hill with his middle school aged daughter, college-aged son (UW ’27), and his spouse, Tamara.

If Sam could have dinner and conversation with one historic or famous human, alive or dead, it would be Nelson Mandela. Feel free to ask him why.