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Zella Williams, assistant superintendent for school accountability for the Hazelwood School District, is one of only a handful of educators from throughout the St. Louis area being honored by the St. Louis American Salute to Excellence Awards program.

Williams has been working as an educator for more than 37 years, most of that time moving up through the ranks while in service to children in the district, first as a classroom teacher then as counselor, administrative intern, assistant principal, principal and as assistant superintendent.

The Kinloch native has received numerous awards for her accomplishments over the years, including the Yes I Can Award from the St. Louis Sentinel, the St. Louis Suburban Counselor’s Association Counselor of the Year in 1996 and Keeven Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year in 1987.

In addition to family members and many colleagues who attended the event in her honor, Williams was particularly touched by the attendance of her long-time mentor, Ruby Long, a retired professor from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.

“I have known her for over 40 years and she is very instrumental in my being at this place in my life,” Williams said. “She and her husband Mick Long paid all my education expenses in college, as well as having been a constant support and advocate.”

Williams herself serves is a mentor and advocate for others.

Williams is currently enrolled in a doctoral program at the University of Missouri St. Louis in educational leadership.
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