Leadership Spotlight Rocco Williams
Introduction
For the February Leadership Spotlight we would like to spotlight Rocco Wiliams the Texas Science Education Leadership Association’s (TSELA) Outstanding Learning in Science Education Award (OLISE) for 2025. The OLISE is given to a TSELA recognizes one of its members each year who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in science education at the school, district, county, regional, state, and/or national level. As the K-12 Science Curriculum Coordinator for Fort Worth ISD, Rocco has demonstrated exceptional vision and dedication to advancing science education in Texas. Through his innovative leadership, he has not only transformed science instruction in his district but also inspired educators statewide. Rocco’s unwavering commitment to fostering excellence in science education makes him a true leader and a deserving recipient of this prestigious award.
The best advice I have received as a science leader is to never lose track of what’s going on in the classroom. In leadership roles, it’s easy to get sucked into “desk work” like curating documents, answers e-mails, and developing PD. However, it is imperative that we dedicate time to being in classrooms working directly with teachers who are utilizing the very documents we are in charge of creating!
Get involved! Find organizations, non-profits, and networks of people that are going through the same challenges you are and lean on them.
My network of amazing colleagues. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work with some of the finest educators in the world. As a classroom teacher, I had the privilege of learning from an outstanding instructional coach. Later when I transitioned into instructional coaching myself, my teammates played a crucial role in helping me make that transition.Now, as a curriculum writer and leader, having a group of peers to collaborate with, share ideas, and tackle projects together has been instrumental to my success.
As the K-12 Science Curriculum Coordinator for Fort Worth ISD, I oversee science education across all grade levels, with a primary focus on elementary education. My responsibilities include supporting campus staff and developing curriculum documents for grades K-5. A key part of my role involves collaborating with colleagues to design and deliver professional learning experiences for science teachers across the district. This position allows me to ensure curriculum alignment, enhance instructional practices, and promote educational excellence throughout our schools.
My educational journey began in Illinois, where I earned my Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Illinois State University. After graduation, I embarked on my teaching career in Texas, spending six years teaching 5th-grade science and social studies in southeast Fort Worth. In 2013, I transitioned into educational leadership as an Elementary Science Instructional Coach. During this time I also earned a Master’s degree in Design and Technology from the American College of Education. In fall 2019, I stepped into district leadership role, just as the COVID-19 began. I am now in my third year of Ph.D studies in Science Education at Texas Christian University.
One of my most unique accomplishments was organizing a year-long citizen science project that engaged multiple stakeholders and had meaningful community and civic impact. As our district implemented a new science instructional framework, I wanted to create an opportunity for the entire community to experience this new approach to learning in a tangible, engaging way. Inspired by Paul Anderson’s session at the June 2023 TSELA training, where we explored the movements of Texas’s state bird, the mockingbird, I thought it would be impactful if our local community could have an officially recognized bird of its own. I developed the idea of having students convince the community that Fort Worth should have an officially recognized bird.
The project’s goal was to connect students, schools, and the broader community through an authentic, phenomena-based learning experience. I knew that this idea would need lots of support, so I reached out to members of the Fort Worth City Council as well as Fort Worth’s chapter of the Audubon Society. Fortunately the idea was met with enthusiasm from all stakeholders, including district leadership.
Schools across the district volunteered to participate in the year-long project, with each school assigned a specific bird to research. Students developed arguments for why their assigned bird should be named “the Official Bird of Fort Worth!” The first round of arguments were presented virtually, narrowing the competition down to six finalist schools, each representing one bird.
The six finalist schools then took a field trip to one of our high schools with a broadcast journalist program. There, the students worked with high school students to create video “commercials” advocating for their chosen bird. The high school students shot, edited, and finalized the videos, which then posted online for viewing (link to videos).
The final phase of the project took place at our annual district science fair, where the finalists presented their findings to the community. Attendees had the opportunity to hear the students’ arguments and cast their votes. By the end of the process, we proudly announced the Eastern Bluebird as the winner of the project!
An official proclamation was made at a city council meeting with a plaque being awarded to the students and district officials. You can click here to view slides highlighting the many facets of the project.
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In addition to your leadership role in your district, what other leadership activities are you involved with? (e.g. publications, presentations, professional association involvement, volunteer work, etc.)
In addition to my current role, I am actively pursuing a Ph.D in Science Education. I also serve as the President of the Texas Council of Elementary Science (TCES), where I provide strategic direction and leadership for statewide science education initiatives. Among my accomplishments, I co-authored and implemented a Science Instructional Framework for my district, leading professional development sessions and teacher training programs to ensure its effective adoption. Furthermore, I spearhead an inter-district collaborative initiative that highlights exceptional student science projects through an annual Science Expo, hosted at a local community college and featuring top projects from participating districts. Additionally, I co-founded Accelerating Success, an innovative online platform offering supplemental science resources to support both student learning and educator instruction.
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