Rockdale Citizen

Doreen Williams

CONYERS -- Educator and Rockdale County resident Doreen Williams announced recently she will run for the Georgia House 92nd District seat this year.

Williams, a Democrat, said she will use her 30 years of experience as a teacher to work for education reform. She said in her announcement that she will use her skills of listening and collaborating with students, their parents, and the community to continue building strong family, school and community partnerships.

The 92nd House District was redrawn for reapportionment to match the 2010 U.S. Census and will take effect later this year. The district roughly runs along Interstate 20 and includes the city of Lithonia and surrounding DeKalb County precincts and the city of Conyers and surrounding precincts in Rockdale County. It will be an open seat in the 2012 elections.

Williams also noted recent announcements that Georgia School Superintendent John Barge plans to have students select career paths in the ninth grade to tailor high school curriculum to meet their needs after school. Williams said for too long too much emphasis was placed on testing.

"Students must be prepared for the future. They must learn how to learn so they can keep up with new skills, new technology, and new ideas," she said in her announcement. "I am the person who can influence legislation to make that happen. It's a new day in a new district."

Williams has been politically active for many years. She has served as treasurer of the Rockdale County Democratic Party since 2006. Before moving to Rockdale in 1994, Williams was an advocate for students' needs when she lived in California during the 1980s, according to Williams.

She is a full-time teacher at Shiloh Middle School in Gwinnett County. Williams also serves on the Board of Directors for View Point Health, formerly known as the Gwinnett, Newton, Rockdale County Community Service Board.

She is active in her church as pianist for the children's meetings and also serves as choir director. Williams and her husband, John, have five children and nine grandchildren.

For more information, contact Williams' campaign by email at friendsofdoreen@gmail.com.