Whether it’s the voices of students with disabilities who want to feel like they belong or students who are struggling with depression and don’t know where to turn, Williams has listened and responded, making sure these students are in the forefront of district decision-making.

For her unwavering and innovative support of her students, Williams has been selected as the winner of this year’s Marcus Foster Memorial Award for Administrator Excellence.

Although she always felt in her heart that she was a teacher, Williams initially resisted the call of education. It wasn’t until she graduated with a degree in criminal justice and took a job as a correctional officer that she realized she wanted to serve people in another way.

In 1995, she was hired as a special day class teacher in Antelope Valley Union High School District. “And 29 years later, here I am,” she says, “and I love every bit of what I do.”

Now serving as the district’s deputy superintendent, Williams oversees the Student Support Services Division and has held several leadership roles, including interim superintendent, assistant superintendent Student Services, director of Student Services, director of Special Education, and program specialist. AVUHSD Superintendent Greg Nehen praised Williams as the driving force behind a transformative approach to learning.

“Shandelyn has consistently reinvented the learning experience,” he said. “She confronts inequities head-on and uses data-driven approaches to overcome the challenges in public education.”

One of Williams’ hallmark achievements has been fostering a culture of inclusion for students with disabilities. Under her guidance, AVUHSD has initiated programs like Best Buddies, inclusive proms, and an annual track meet called Overcoming Obstacles. She has empowered educators and students alike to take ownership of inclusion, ensuring everyone knows the needs and identities of students with disabilities.

Williams’ efforts have also extended to mental health and social-emotional support. She spearheaded hiring over 100 mental health professionals, including counselors, mental health therapists, social workers, and psychologists, while establishing partnerships with agencies to provide virtual therapy sessions.

“We now have student support centers at every school — a safe space where students can refer themselves for help. Our goal is to make sure that no student feels alone,” she said.

Her commitment to vulnerable students is particularly evident in her work with foster youth. After discovering that the district serves the highest concentration of foster youth in California, Williams and her team advocated for a dedicated counselor position for foster youth and launched the Resilient Scholars Program. The district’s annual Independent City event, which prepares foster youth for life after emancipation, is a testament to her hands-on approach.

“We wanted to give them practical skills and a sense of independence, so we designed an entire mock city where they navigate real-life situations,” she said. This event was recently awarded the CSBA Golden Bell Award.

Despite nearly 30 years in the district, Williams has never considered leaving.

“I’ve stayed because I can see the positive outcomes of the work we’ve done as a team. It’s not just about me — it’s about the incredible people around me who make it all happen,” she said. “It will always be about the students I serve and the community that supports them. That’s what makes my work come to life.”