Donovan Williams

A product of the Diocese of San Jose Catholic school system, Mr. Williams attended St. Leo’s the Great for elementary school, where he was an altar boy, and played on a variety of sports teams. He then went on to graduate from Archbishop Mitty high school, where he was a member of the men’s varsity swimming and diving team. He completed his undergraduate degree in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Ethnic Studies from San Francisco State University. While attending San Francisco State Mr. Williams interned as a lobbyist for Silicon Valley Leadership Group. His teaching career at Learning Legends where he lead an after-school enrichment program that focused on developing math and science skills.  Mr. Williams spent the last four years teaching middle school science at a local Catholic school where he received the Katharine Drexel Blended Learning Award for his commitment to S.T.E.M. in the classroom.

He is currently continuing his education by pursuing his master’s degree in education at Santa Clara University. Mr. Williams has more than ten years of experience working with middle school students and spent the last seven years teaching S.T.E.M. inspired science. Of his students he says, “I believe that each student is a unique individual who needs a secure, caring, and stimulating atmosphere in which to grow.” His educational philosophy is that student has individual academic needs that must be addressed to ensure success, and his goals as a teacher is to help students meet their full potential by providing an environment that is safe, supports risk-taking, and encourages an atmosphere of collaboration and cooperation.

He has many hobbies and interests outside of teaching. Mr. Williams enjoys hiking, swimming, adventure running, and snowboarding. He’s been coaching youth athletics for over ten years He loves spending time with his wife and two young children, both of whom attend St. Mary School.