New Clear Creek ISD superintendent Williams: 'Next year it will look more like a pre-pandemic school year'

Dr. Eric Williams, new superintendent of the Clear Creek Independent School District (ISD) in League City, Texas, said during an interview that getting back to a post COVID-19 pandemic curriculum this year is a big first step in his tenure.

He added that the technology learned virtually during the pandemic will be used to deepen the student learning experience for the future.

The district has 45 schools, 5,000 employees and 42,000 students.

Williams was formerly superintendent at the Loudoun County Public Schools in Virginia and before that served as a teacher and administrator in Virginia, Florida, Massachusetts and Brazil. 

He was born in Waco.   

Williams took over as superintendent of the the Clear Creek ISD in January from Dr. Greg Smith.

In a report in the Community Impact Newspaper, Williams said from the beginning of his term he has sought to listen to community members, parents, teachers and students.

In addition Williams told the Houston Daily he maintained a busy schedule visiting classrooms and watching teachers conduct virtual (computer) instruction.

“It’s been incredibly positive,” he said. “I’ve visited the 45 campuses, many of them for a second time.”

Williams said a return to normal classroom instruction is now in progress after the closures last year because of the pandemic.

“Next year it will look more like a pre-pandemic school year,” he said. “We will monitor conditions and if there is a (health) deterioration, we would reestablish health mitigations.” 

Williams said he took the superintendent job because the ISD has a history of excellence and innovation that is ongoing.

“It’s not a rest on your laurels district,” he said. “There is also a high level of community support.” 

Williams added that the district’s size, large enough to have capacity and resources to instruct, but still small enough to have a small-town feel, is ideal.

He said a focus will include a return to hands-on instruction in subjects like science and math, and the development of smaller more personalized learning groups.

“We want to return to those effective practices,” he said.

Williams said mental wellness counseling and virtual instruction developed during the pandemic will continue to be used.

“In technology our teachers were better positioned than some other districts,” he said. “We’re not trying to replace face-to-face learning, but to use technology as a tool to support deeper learning.”

More information on Williams is available on the ISD website.