Doctorate Means Dream Continues For VVSD’s Deirdre Williams

Editor's Note: The article is a release from Valley View School District 365U.

It’s Doctor Dee now.

Assistant Executive Director of Student Services Deirdre Williams has completed all of her work on a Doctorate in Education Administration and Supervision, and will formally receive her degree from Loyola University May 9.

“There is peace within me, a peace that lead me to know that with perseverance I could accomplish this rigorous task,” the Bolingbrook resident said. “Now that it is over, I can breathe a little easier.”

Dr. Williams utilized research from 68 principals in 15 Illinois school districts in writing a dissertation on “Principals’ attitudes regarding the provision of special education services using the traditional special education model compared to using the Response to Intervention model.”

“We are mandated to intervene with all students and not just students who receive traditional special education services,” she said.

Dr. Williams, who holds a bachelor of arts degree in psychology and a master’s degree in school psychology from Governors State University, joined VVSD in her current position in 2009. She is a former administrative district supervisor for student services in Indian Prairie School District 204 where she  also served as an assistant principal at Gregory Middle School for two years and a school psychologist for three years. She also has experience as a school psychologist at Lyons Township, Addison Trail and Willowbrook high schools.

“My dream has always been to work with young people, especially young people with disabilities and emotional challenges,” Dr. Williams said. “For me, the reward is meeting their needs, great or small."