Marley Elementary Principal Passes Torch to Woman who Took Similar Path

A few days before Donna Williman prepared to retire from and the school system she’s worked in for nearly 40 years, she and new principal Nina Lattimore marveled at how much they had in common.

They grew up about five minutes from each other, Williman in Linthicum and Lattimore in Pumphrey—Williman attending Andover High School and Lattimore attending —and both said they always wanted to teach.

“Once I started school I knew I wanted to be a teacher,” Williman said.

She began teaching in 1972, taking time off from 1979 to 1987 when she had children, but it wasn’t until about 10 years ago that she knew she wanted to move into administration.

“I had an experience as a resource teacher and at that point I knew I wanted to [become a principal],” Williman said.

Lattimore said she used to play “school” with her dolls as a child, though when she got older thought about becoming a news anchor.

“But I always liked teaching, so I went for my masters in Spanish education at Howard [University],” Lattimore said.

Lattimore taught English as a second language (ESL) in Washington, DC, for three years before returning to the county in 2003 to teach ESL, rotating between four area schools.

In 2004 she knew she wanted to return to the classroom full time.

“I hired her,” Williman said of Lattimore’s position at Marley as a second-grade teacher, as the two marveled at how much their paths were intertwined.

Williman retired in June so she could spend more time with her growing family. She has two daughters, three grandchildren and another grandchild on the way.

“I want to spend more time with my parents and children and grandchildren,” she said.

Williman said she would remember her time in education, and at Marley, fondly.

“I hope my staff will love teaching as much as I have,” she said. “I hope that the students continue to love learning and that [the teachers] will instill in them to become lifelong learners.”

With Williman to guide her, Lattimore made the decision to begin the transition to administration.

“With [Williman’s] support ... she helped lead me on the path to leave teaching,” Lattimore said.

She spent a year and a half at Brooklyn Park Elementary School as a behavioral specialist before moving to Sunset Elementary in Pasadena as acting assistant principal. After a year, she was promoted to be the assistant principal at Marley in 2010.

Lattimore said when she learned Williman was retiring she decided to apply to for the position.

“I knew if there was any place I wanted to be as a principal, I wanted to be here,” she said. “I know the students and the families—where they’ve been and where they’re going.”

Lattimore said she admired the fact that in all of her time at Marley, Williman made her feel as though she were part of a team—something she said she hopes to continue now that she has taken over.

“It isn’t just what I would do but what we would do to focus on achievement,” she said. “It’s a tough task.”

Williman said she hopes Lattimore remembers to have faith in the children.

“Keep their best interests at heart and that will guide you to make the right decisions,” she said.