Dear Editor,

This letter is a bit overdue as I just noticed my first intent to write it was after the Sept. 8, 2017, article about Dr. Avis Williams being voted in unanimously as superintendent of Selma City Schools.

Welcome to Selma, Dr. Williams. Thank you for your excitement for being here, bringing excellence and joy to our schools.

I know there were a couple more tenets regarding the schools you listed in one of the articles, but those two stuck with me.

Promoting excellence and joy can go a long way and are foundational to the learning experience.  Also, I was struck by your openness in having the “spur of the moment” open house Tuesday to meet teachers and staff, shaking all their hands and desiring to hear about the “challenges and celebrations” presented by Selma.

Thank you for taking on passionately teamwork and desiring to be engaged with the Selma community, for looking for a home here, for wanting us all to work together to make Selma a better place to learn, live and grow.

Those words warmed my heart as I read them in the paper Thursday. Yes, there are and will be challenges, but there are celebrations too.

Right now, I see an added celebration is having Dr. Avis Williams as the new superintendent. I pledge to “be here for you” as I can. Best wishes and God’s blessings on you as you begin this new journey with our education system, students and parents and all of us in Selma and Dallas County.  Yes, welcome!

Gail Box Ingram
Valley Grande