Austin Williams

Background

About Austin Williams

Welcome! I’m a lifelong learner and educator who enjoys spreading knowledge about how we got to where we are, and how to get to where we want to be. I’ve lived in Brooklyn for 10 years now, but am originally from San Diego where I spent the 90s and early on my bike, exploring the early internet or hiking with my scout troop. I attended college at UC Santa Cruz in Northern California which increased my love of the outdoors and recreation and from where I received my bachelors in Environmental Studies and Economics. I moved to NYC for a change of scenery after college and pursued a career in education and graduated with a Masters in Childhood Education. As a part of my capstone project I created a picture book that taught kids about ways to help protect the environment under the guise of a story similar to The Magic Treehouse series I enjoyed as a child. My goal as a teacher is for my students to have a great time while also learning how to better themselves and others. My years leading classrooms across several independent schools in Manhattan have taught me much more than I thought possible about how to work as a collective and pursue common goals. I have attended several Responsive Classroom Professional Development sessions which improved my teaching immensely. I recently attended the New York State Council for the Social Studies conference in Albany and connected with the most charismatic and intelligent educators you can imagine. My areas of focus in regard to teaching include: American History, Ancient World History, The Harlem Renaissance. My current obsessions outside of work include learning about California in the 1900s, Imperial China and the Byzantine Empire. I also enjoy documentaries, science fiction, board games, and taking a walk around a new part of town. My current goals are to write another children’s book and to create my own video game. Wish me luck!