Marcie Williamson, the Northwest Center for Academics and Therapy administrator and process coordinator, has a new job title. She is now the Northwest R-1 School District’s director of special education.
The administrator and process coordinator position will be eliminated next school year, replaced by the new director job, which Williamson will start on July 1.
She will be paid $94,500 next school year. She currently earns an $84,000 annual salary, Northwest Superintendent Jennifer Hecktor said.
She said Williamson has a 236-day contract in her current position, but as director, she will have a 256-day contract.
The Northwest Board of Education voted 7-0 on Jan. 23 to name Williamson to the new position. Board Vice President Retta Tuggle was absent.
Mary Smith, the district’s assistant superintendent of student services, currently oversees the district’s special education program, as well as counseling, social work and many other programs that deal with student well-being, Hecktor said.
By naming Williamson director of special education, it will allow more focus on that program, Hecktor said.
“Those needs continue to increase,” she said.
Smith said the director position was created to improve education for all students.
“The goal is to increase the district’s ability to serve students in the most inclusive setting possible. We have also created valuable partnerships to help with a successful transition to post-secondary employment and education,” she said.
Six people applied for the director of special education job, Smith said, adding that Williamson is a good fit for the job because she is well educated and certified in leading a special education department on a districtwide scale.
“She has proven herself as a respected and trusted leader, and she has firsthand knowledge of the strengths and growth opportunities in the department districtwide,” Smith said.
Williamson, who resides in Cedar Hill with her husband, Tim, and their three children, has kept close ties with the district since graduating from Northwest High School in 2009.
“I have been a member of the community my entire life, and I am a proud Lion, she said. “I am dedicated to the students, staff and families of the district and am thankful for the opportunity to be part of Northwest R-1 School District.”
A 2012 Jefferson College graduate, she received an associate degree in teaching. She then studied at Missouri Baptist University and received a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, early childhood special education, elementary education and mild-moderate cross-categorical disabilities in 2013.
She earned a master’s degree in special education with an emphasis in severely developmental disabilities from Webster University in 2015. She then went on to gain a master’s degree in administration (for kindergarten through eighth grade) from Missouri Baptist University in 2017 and a doctorate in educational leadership from Maryville University in 2019.
Williamson worked at the Special School District of St. Louis County focusing on students with severe developmental disabilities from 2011 to 2015. She then taught in the Mehlville School District from 2015 to 2022.
“At Mehlville, I was able to provide a very inclusive classroom for students with my team who shared a passion for inclusion,” she said.
Williamson found her way back to the Northwest School District in 2022, when she was hired as the process coordinator, and late that fall she started the job as Northwest Center for Academics administrator.
“Since then, I have been able to serve a large section of our district and have continued to love what I do,” she said.
Williamson said she looks forward to beginning her new role as it aligns with her passion for supporting diverse learners and teachers and creating inclusive educational environments.
As the district’s special education director, Williamson said she will oversee the development, implementation and management of special education programs and will work to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. She also will advocate for students with disabilities and coordinate services that promote academic success and personal growth.
“This role will help us be more effective and more specialized in the work the department is already doing. We are working to improve our programs and practices for the benefit of all students,” she said.
Williamson said she aims to help students with their academic and personal growth by being an advocate for them, using innovative strategies and conducting meaningful interventions.
“I’m eager to collaborate with educators, families and community partners to ensure that every student, regardless of their unique needs, receives the support they deserve,” she said. “Ultimately, I look forward to using my skills to help build systems that empower both students and staff while fostering an environment where everyone thrives.”