Remembering An Evening with Superintendent Dr. Tonja M. Williams - Knight
Superintendent Dr. Tonja M. Williams
Dr. Tonja M. Williams, Superintendent of Buffalo Public Schools, spoke at the Frank E. Merriweather Library (1324 Jefferson Avenue) on Thursday, April 7, 2022, addressing an audience of parents and community members. At the time, she was serving as Interim Superintendent, and this event was part of her Listening Tour—a citywide initiative giving community members the opportunity to express their views on the critical issues facing the school district.
Dr. Williams began with a brief introduction and then encouraged attendees to respond to several key questions, seeking to understand the challenges in Buffalo schools from the community’s perspective. This columnist attended the event, and I am very glad I did. Dr. Williams listened intently, showing deep interest and focus during the discussion. The Listening Tour proved to be an excellent way to engage with the public, creating a comfortable and informative space for open dialogue.
Participants shared several ideas on what they would like to see improved in schools to better support students. Some of the key concerns and recommendations included:
Expanding vocational education to better prepare students for future careers.
Reintroducing field trips, as learning should extend beyond the classroom.
Improving communication between parents and teachers.
Encouraging greater involvement from churches to help address school challenges.
Reducing high suspension rates and increasing emotional support for students.
Providing more extracurricular activities to help curb violence and disruption in schools.
Taking Restorative Justice seriously to aid students in conflict resolution.
Concerns from teachers, including: “When will we have time to prepare our students for state tests? And we would love to have you visit our school.”
Recognizing What’s Right in Our Schools
In addition to discussing challenges, Dr. Williams also asked attendees to highlight what is working well in Buffalo schools. Some of the positive aspects mentioned included:
The need for more bus aides and metal detectors to ensure school safety.
Evaluating the culturally relevant curriculum to ensure all teachers are properly implementing it.
As an educator and historian, I was particularly encouraged by the Inclusion Curriculum featured on the district’s website, which highlights the contributions of African Americans to our country. This has always been a subject of great importance to me.
Dr. Williams concluded the session with a few key statements: “I feel comfortable in my role and will lead with integrity. I will do right for our children all of the time. I expect educational excellence from all students. I want to listen to the students and hear their stories. I expect excellence from them. I want to build trust with all involved.”
Recently, Dr. Tonja M. Williams-Knight announced her retirement as Superintendent of Buffalo Public Schools after dedicating over 35 years to the system in various leadership roles. I would like to congratulate her and wish her well in all her future endeavors.
Additionally, I want to personally thank her for her kind remarks about my work as a Buffalo Public Schools educator for over 30 years. Seeing her positive comments on Facebook about the impact I made as a teacher meant a great deal to me.
God bless you, Dr. Tonja M. Williams-Knight! Thank you for making a real, positive impact on students, parents, and teachers throughout the school system