With the power to shape the next generation, teachers make or break a school. They possess the power to shape the next generation and affect how they learn and develop both academically and personally. Due to his outstanding work as a teacher, coach and mentor, math instructor Jeffrey Williams has been chosen as West Forsyth’s Teacher of the Year by the faculty. 

Williams has been around teachers since he was a child, as his mother was a teacher, making him familiar with the job and what it entails. Williams began his teaching career as a student-teacher at West in 2010 and has been a full time teacher ever since.

“I saw the impact [teachers] could make on other students, as well as other colleagues, and that was something I thought would be beneficial for my life,” Williams said.

Williams enjoys talking with students and helping them with their academic problems as well as any problems they may face in their day to day life. 

“My favorite part is just interacting with the students and seeing growth in both their maturity and in their math skills and knowledge. Also just connecting with them and helping lead them through their everyday chaotic lives,” Williams said.

Students also respect all of his math jokes and puns.

“There is a fine line between the numerator and the denominator.” Williams said.

People may argue that Williams’ job as a math teacher is to simply teach math, but Williams disagrees.

“I do think it’s my responsibility to look at more of the whole picture and see more of the student as a person and not just a subject that needs to learn,” Williams said.

Teacher of the Year isn’t an easy award to win, considering how large the teaching staff is at West, so earning the award is a big honor. His students also agree that he takes the responsibility of his job seriously and tackles it with love.

“Williams is always super enthusiastic about everything; you can tell that he has a lot of love for what he does, and I love the energy that he brings to every class and soccer event,” senior Amber Skinner said.

Williams says his inspiration comes from seeing the expertise of other teachers who have also impacted many students’ school life.

“My inspiration for Teacher of the Year is Theresa Bryant, Jeffrey Thompson and Jaclyn Showers,” Williams said.

Teachers play an important role in society, and it’s good to know that there are still those who are passionate about it. It is a big responsibility and crucial to students’ lives that teachers stay invested in them and caring, because while a teacher may have hundreds of students every year,  students will only have a few teachers, and it’s likely they’ll remember them for the rest of their lives.

“Having Mr. Williams as a coach and a teacher has definitely been an experience. He is a very humorous teacher, which makes class go by fast, and is always there to help if you don’t understand a problem,” senior Meredith Stewart said.

“From a coaching perspective, he is very motivational and dedicated to the team,” Stewart said.

After seeing his dedication, humor and overall respect for the job, it is no wonder why Williams has won the award and is proud to be called West Forsyth’s Teacher of the Year.