Biography
Front and center is the man largely responsible for my love of this county, its citizens, and the desire I have to give the best of me in service to them.
For those of you who don’t know, the Washington County Jail at 201 N. Jonathan Street in Hagerstown was my home for sixteen years. I was eight years old when my father was elected Sheriff of Washington County. My mother, who also appears in this photo (back row – center) was the jail matron. Many of the deputies in this photo, and others who came before and after them, were like uncles to me. I think it’s fair to say that my upbringing was like no other, and I am forever grateful for that.
I can still hear my father’s words today – “Melissa, there is good and bad in everyone. Look for the good. Always look for the good.” “Be thankful for all that you have. You are more fortunate than you can imagine. Remember that, and always do what you can for those who are less fortunate.” Those words and more like them have guided me in his absence.
To his position as Sheriff my father brought years of experience as a member of the Hagerstown City Police Department, years spent as a patrolman walking the beat. But, more than that my father brought a big heart, one filled with gratitude, compassion, and empathy for those he was elected to serve and protect. I was blessed to have such a role model.
In 2012, I decided I wanted to be of greater service. I wanted to give back to my county. With thirty-five years of experience as a teacher and administrator serving Washington County’s public schools, I was successful in becoming an elected official like my father before me. In 2012, I became an elected member of the Washington County Board of Education and in 2016 was re-elected for a second term and in 2020 for a third term. It's been a privilege and an honor to serve my county.
Washington County has long been and will continue to be a beautiful place to live and raise a family; a place where we look for the good in everyone; where we are grateful for all that we have; where we always do what we can for those who are less fortunate; where parents want more for their children than what they, themselves, had; where, among the local candidates in our upcoming election, you’ll find big-hearted, grateful, compassionate, and empathetic people willing to step up to serve. Those are the candidates I hope you’ll seek out and support with your vote.
For those of you who don’t know, the Washington County Jail at 201 N. Jonathan Street in Hagerstown was my home for sixteen years. I was eight years old when my father was elected Sheriff of Washington County. My mother, who also appears in this photo (back row – center) was the jail matron. Many of the deputies in this photo, and others who came before and after them, were like uncles to me. I think it’s fair to say that my upbringing was like no other, and I am forever grateful for that.
I can still hear my father’s words today – “Melissa, there is good and bad in everyone. Look for the good. Always look for the good.” “Be thankful for all that you have. You are more fortunate than you can imagine. Remember that, and always do what you can for those who are less fortunate.” Those words and more like them have guided me in his absence.
To his position as Sheriff my father brought years of experience as a member of the Hagerstown City Police Department, years spent as a patrolman walking the beat. But, more than that my father brought a big heart, one filled with gratitude, compassion, and empathy for those he was elected to serve and protect. I was blessed to have such a role model.
In 2012, I decided I wanted to be of greater service. I wanted to give back to my county. With thirty-five years of experience as a teacher and administrator serving Washington County’s public schools, I was successful in becoming an elected official like my father before me. In 2012, I became an elected member of the Washington County Board of Education and in 2016 was re-elected for a second term and in 2020 for a third term. It's been a privilege and an honor to serve my county.
Washington County has long been and will continue to be a beautiful place to live and raise a family; a place where we look for the good in everyone; where we are grateful for all that we have; where we always do what we can for those who are less fortunate; where parents want more for their children than what they, themselves, had; where, among the local candidates in our upcoming election, you’ll find big-hearted, grateful, compassionate, and empathetic people willing to step up to serve. Those are the candidates I hope you’ll seek out and support with your vote.
Personal
Professional
My career as an educator has given me the opportunity to work with students, parents, teachers, and administrators in schools across Washington County. I’ve served in 16 of Washington County's public schools as well as in the central office. I’ve worked successfully with students, parents, teachers, and administrators.
My career has taken me from the classroom to the central office. I’ve worked as a classroom teacher, instructional specialist, student achievement specialist, and coordinator of WCPS’s Title I program. I’ve been responsible for educating students, training, developing, mentoring, and evaluating staff, and managing million dollar programs and budgets.
Throughout my career I was an active member of the Washington County Teachers Association. I’ve served as a building rep; a member of the Board of Directors, Scholarship Committee, and a negotiating team.
I’ve served on many WCPS committees and task forces and have volunteered my time with the Odyssey of the Mind and Destination Imagination creative problem solving organizations as a coach, judge, problem captain, appraiser, and appraiser coordinator. My prior leadership experience includes having served as President of the Woodcrest Village Homeowners Association, President of the Washington County Reading Council, first vice president of the Hagerstown Women's Club, Inc., and vice president of the Hagerstown Women's Club Foundation, Inc.
In my retirement, before serving on the BOE, I worked as an educational consultant in the area of school reform for the Maryland State Department of Education and the Chesapeake Coalition for Essential Schools. I was also an Adjunct Faculty Member at Frostburg State University and served on the board of the Washington County Education Foundation. I was a member of the Smithsburg Town Council's Ad Hoc Committee for Revising the Smithsburg Town Charter and Smithsburg's Parks and Improvement Commission.
As a life-long learner and dedicated educator, I have sought opportunities for learning and personal growth during my board service. This has led to attendance at numerous Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) Board Academy sessions and the yearly annual conference, years of service on several MABE Committees - Legislative, Resolutions, Policy and Procedures, and the Annual Conference Program Committee which I co-chaired for two years. MABE’s annual conference provides professional development to members of the boards of education of all Maryland counties and Baltimore City. I am currently serving my second term on the MABE Board of Directors.
I’m now in my eighth year serving as board president. I have planned annual board retreats and work sessions designed to further board members’ understanding of our role, to increase our knowledge on a variety of topics, and to strengthen our ability to work effectively and efficiently as a team.
2012 - present
Member of the Washington County Board of Education (President since December 13, 2016)
2009 - 2012
Adjunct Faculty Member in the Department of Educational Professions at Frostburg State University (Fall 2012) and Educational Consultant: contractual work for Maryland State Department of Education and Chesapeake Coalition for Essential Schools
2005 - 2009
Title I Coordinator for WCPS
2004 - 2005
Student Achievement Specialist, Winter Street Elementary School
2003 - 2004
Student Achievement Specialist, Cascade Elementary School
2002 - 2003
Reading Improvement Teacher and Library Media Specialist, Cascade Elementary School
1998 - 2002
Reading Improvement Teacher, Hancock Elementary School
1996 - 1998
Itinerant Resource Teacher (IRT) – Title 1 Elementary Schools: Bester, Cascade, Conococheague, Eastern, Emma K. Doub, Fountaindale, Hancock, Hickory, Lincolnshire, Pangborn, Salem Avenue, Winter Street
1995 - 1996
Project Challenge Teacher (Program for Talented and Gifted Students), Pangborn Elementary School
1994 - 1995
Project Challenge Teacher, Hancock Elementary School and Emma K. Doub Elementary School
1991 - 1994
Fourth Grade Classroom Teacher, Fountaindale Elementary School
1984 - 1991
Title 1 Reading Resource Teacher, Fountaindale Elementary School
1979 - 1984
Title 1 Reading Resource Teacher, Bester Elementary School
1974 - 1979
Social Studies and Developmental Reading Teacher, Clear Spring Middle School
- Born and raised in Washington County – the daughter of the late Hillary Henson Price and the late Charles E. Price (former Sheriff of Washington County) - grew up in Hagerstown on North Mulberry Street and Jonathan Street
- Educated K-12 in Washington County Public Schools - 1968 graduate of North Hagerstown High School
- Lifelong learner - A.A. degree in education from Hagerstown Junior College, B.A. in Elementary Education from Shepherd College, M.A. in Reading with certification as a Reading Specialist K-12 from Hood College, post graduate studies in curriculum and instruction and reading at the University of Maryland
- Mother of three children, all educated in the public schools of Washington County - one graduate of South Hagerstown High and two graduates of Smithsburg High
- Smithsburg, Maryland resident for the past 36 years
- Married 43 years to David L. Williams, a retired WCPS library media specialist
Professional
My career as an educator has given me the opportunity to work with students, parents, teachers, and administrators in schools across Washington County. I’ve served in 16 of Washington County's public schools as well as in the central office. I’ve worked successfully with students, parents, teachers, and administrators.
My career has taken me from the classroom to the central office. I’ve worked as a classroom teacher, instructional specialist, student achievement specialist, and coordinator of WCPS’s Title I program. I’ve been responsible for educating students, training, developing, mentoring, and evaluating staff, and managing million dollar programs and budgets.
Throughout my career I was an active member of the Washington County Teachers Association. I’ve served as a building rep; a member of the Board of Directors, Scholarship Committee, and a negotiating team.
I’ve served on many WCPS committees and task forces and have volunteered my time with the Odyssey of the Mind and Destination Imagination creative problem solving organizations as a coach, judge, problem captain, appraiser, and appraiser coordinator. My prior leadership experience includes having served as President of the Woodcrest Village Homeowners Association, President of the Washington County Reading Council, first vice president of the Hagerstown Women's Club, Inc., and vice president of the Hagerstown Women's Club Foundation, Inc.
In my retirement, before serving on the BOE, I worked as an educational consultant in the area of school reform for the Maryland State Department of Education and the Chesapeake Coalition for Essential Schools. I was also an Adjunct Faculty Member at Frostburg State University and served on the board of the Washington County Education Foundation. I was a member of the Smithsburg Town Council's Ad Hoc Committee for Revising the Smithsburg Town Charter and Smithsburg's Parks and Improvement Commission.
As a life-long learner and dedicated educator, I have sought opportunities for learning and personal growth during my board service. This has led to attendance at numerous Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) Board Academy sessions and the yearly annual conference, years of service on several MABE Committees - Legislative, Resolutions, Policy and Procedures, and the Annual Conference Program Committee which I co-chaired for two years. MABE’s annual conference provides professional development to members of the boards of education of all Maryland counties and Baltimore City. I am currently serving my second term on the MABE Board of Directors.
I’m now in my eighth year serving as board president. I have planned annual board retreats and work sessions designed to further board members’ understanding of our role, to increase our knowledge on a variety of topics, and to strengthen our ability to work effectively and efficiently as a team.
2012 - present
Member of the Washington County Board of Education (President since December 13, 2016)
2009 - 2012
Adjunct Faculty Member in the Department of Educational Professions at Frostburg State University (Fall 2012) and Educational Consultant: contractual work for Maryland State Department of Education and Chesapeake Coalition for Essential Schools
2005 - 2009
Title I Coordinator for WCPS
2004 - 2005
Student Achievement Specialist, Winter Street Elementary School
2003 - 2004
Student Achievement Specialist, Cascade Elementary School
2002 - 2003
Reading Improvement Teacher and Library Media Specialist, Cascade Elementary School
1998 - 2002
Reading Improvement Teacher, Hancock Elementary School
1996 - 1998
Itinerant Resource Teacher (IRT) – Title 1 Elementary Schools: Bester, Cascade, Conococheague, Eastern, Emma K. Doub, Fountaindale, Hancock, Hickory, Lincolnshire, Pangborn, Salem Avenue, Winter Street
1995 - 1996
Project Challenge Teacher (Program for Talented and Gifted Students), Pangborn Elementary School
1994 - 1995
Project Challenge Teacher, Hancock Elementary School and Emma K. Doub Elementary School
1991 - 1994
Fourth Grade Classroom Teacher, Fountaindale Elementary School
1984 - 1991
Title 1 Reading Resource Teacher, Fountaindale Elementary School
1979 - 1984
Title 1 Reading Resource Teacher, Bester Elementary School
1974 - 1979
Social Studies and Developmental Reading Teacher, Clear Spring Middle School
electMelissaWilliams.com
Committee to Elect Melissa Williams : Kelli Albright, Treasurer
Committee to Elect Melissa Williams : Kelli Albright, Treasurer