Introducing Our Head of Preschool
Polly Williams, who has served as Director of Admission for Trinity Episcopal School and Blue House Preschool since 2020, steps into a new role as Blue House Preschool's next Head of Preschool beginning in the 2023-2024 academic year.
Polly joined Trinity after spending seven years as an Early Learning Principal of a division spanning ages 3 through fourth grade at an independent school in Atlanta, Georgia. She has deep experience in the classroom and in admissions as well as early childhood education, from curricular, human resources, and professional development perspectives.
Polly takes the torch from outgoing Head of Preschool, Martha Blackburn, who announced her retirement from the field of education after 21 years of shepherding young children, first for Elsass Academy and then for Blue House Preschool.
We sat down for a quick Q&A to learn more about Polly and her new role.
Q&A with Polly Williams
Q: What are you most excited about for next year?
A: I am excited to get back to the educational side of a school and engage with children more than I get to do currently.
Q: What’s your first order of business as Head of Preschool?
A: I have enjoyed getting to know the faculty and staff a little better this spring. There is so much wisdom in this group and they have shared some really good ideas. I look forward to working with these people to implement a first class program for children.
Q: What’s something about yourself that new families probably don’t know?
A: I may seem a little prim and proper at first, but I have a good sense of humor and enjoy tapping into my playful side.
Q: Why is Blue House Preschool a special place?
A: So many things — the adorable children, our brilliant and dedicated faculty, our parent partners, and upcoming enhancements to our campus!
More About Polly
Polly Williams is Head of Preschool for Blue House Preschool at Trinity Episcopal School of Austin. She has been at Trinity for 3 years. She serves on Trinity's Leadership team and was a member of the Strategic Planning Committee. She currently serves as the Advancement: Admissions Committee chair for Trinity’s accreditation renewal with ISAS (Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS) and the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools (SAES) as well as leading Trinity’s Conitnuous Improvement Plan committee.
Polly Williams with Admission Associate Kat Erben and Associate Director of Admission & Enrollment Bethani Emery.
As Trinity's Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management, Polly's responsibilities included recruiting, enrolling, and re-enrolling students for the Blue House Preschool and Trinity's K-8 program. She also led the school's financial aid process.
Polly has worked in eight schools in Georgia, Texas, and Illinois. She has thirteen years of teaching experience, spent seven years as a Lower School division head (overseeing the three year old through fourth grade program, 230 students in a preschool -twelfth grade independent school - overall enrollment 800) , and served as an Admissions Director for fourteen years. She holds a BA from Emory University and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Georgia State University and is certified in Educational Leadership, Early Childhood Education, and Instructional Supervision.
Polly has served on numerous Board of Trustee committees in her career, including Diversity and Finance. Polly has extensive experience working as part of SAIS school accreditation teams and participated in the NAIS Aspiring Heads Program.
She is a certified member of the Academy of Orton Gillingham Practitioners and Educators. She has conducted curricular audits for Georgia and North Carolina schools and worked as a dyslexia consultant for ExceptionAlly.
Previously, Polly served as the Director of the Atlanta Area Independent School Association's Admissions Group and was a member of the Directors group of the Atlanta Metro Atlanta Early Childhood Association as well as numerous other educational organizations. She has served on the Boards of the Cathedral Preschool, Atlanta, Georgia, and Odyssey Atlanta, a public school -private school summer program between the Westminster Schools and area public schools, also in Atlanta. She has also served on the Board of Visitors for the Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School.