Benjamin J. Williams

Member of: 
Broward Cultural Council, School Board Representative
Cultural Diversity Committee
Micro Credit Committee, Chair

al Council

Ben Williams was born and raised in Bartow, a small community located in Central Florida.  After graduating from high school at age 15, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Florida A&M University.  Ben received his Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Indiana University and completed forty-six hours beyond his Master’s Degree in Elementary Administration and Supervision at Florida Atlantic University.

Ben began his teaching career at Dillard Elementary School in 1955.  During his decade long tenure, he worked among many dedicated professionals who along with the children nurtured his growing passion for education.  In 1965, Ben was chosen to be one of a select group of teachers who integrated the classrooms of Broward’s public schools,  From 1965 until 1975, he ascended from classroom teacher to intern principal within the Nova Elementary School community that included Nova Eisenhower and Nova Blanche Forman.

As principal of Walker Elementary School from 1975 until 1987, Ben introduced the county’s first magnet program; Walker became a performing arts and science magnet.  He continued the design and implementation of outstanding magnet programs within the district, as the principal of Parkway Middle School Performing Arts and Technology Magnet, where he served until he became principal of Dillard High in 1992.  Ben concluded his career at Dillard High, serving until 1994.

Ben and his wife Rebecca, a former Reading Supervisor for the District, raised two sons and a niece in Broward County’s Public Schools.  He has four grandchildren; two of whom are enrolled in District 5 schools. Most of his professional career has been spent serving in the schools located in the district he now represents, District 5.  Furthermore, he has been a member of New Mount Olive Baptist Church for over 45 years, and has served as the church treasurer for the last 15 years.  Since his retirement, he has continued to serve the children of Broward County through various community service organizations.  Over the years he has been honored as the Volunteer of the Year by United Way of Broward County (2000), received the Outstanding Service to Education Award by the Liberal Black Fire Fighters Association (1996), and was named Ft. Lauderdale’s Honorary Citizen of the Year twice (1986,1985).

While he is the recipient of many other awards that demonstrate his commitment to children and the community-at-large, he continues his tireless efforts to serve as a consensus builder; working to establish and maintain quality educational opportunities for every child in Broward County.  As a newly elected board member, he plans to continue his life’s work to create learning environments that foster student achievement, aid in the recruitment and retention of outstanding teachers for our children, and working to cultivate a tone throughout the district that celebrates the uniqueness of the individual.  Ben believes that every child can learn, and that the community has a stake in strengthening our schools.