Leader at MPS’ Pulaski High wins national ‘Principal of the Year’ honors from NABSE

Dr. Darrell Williams, principal of Milwaukee Public Schools’ Casimir Pulaski High School, has been named national “Principal of the Year” by the National Alliance of Black School Educators.
Members of NABSE from across the country are asked to nominate principals “who have demonstrated outstanding leadership skills that have led to a greater sense of student, teaching staff and parental community support.”
Dr. Williams, who has led Pulaski since 2011, topped the field and received the national honor.
“It’s great to see that the work that you’ve done over the years is recognized by such a prestigious national organization,” he said. “Aside from being humbling, it validates our efforts to move kids in a positive direction. We’ve been able to change the culture and climate at the school while increasing student achievement, which is our mission at the school.”
During Dr. Willams’ time at Pulaski, reading and math proficiency have improved. He also implemented a student leadership initiative that encourages students to take pride in their school community and serve as role models to younger students.

“We’re always pleased when the spotlight shines on the hard work of our school leaders,” MPS Superintendent Gregory Thornton said. “I am especially proud of Dr. Williams receiving this prestigious honor.”
The Pulaski principal was nominated by retired longtime MPS principal Rogers Onick, who won the award in 2006.
The honor was bestowed the same month that the High School of Business (HSOB) national organization honored Pulaski business teacher Mauricio Garzon for his dedication to building the HSOB program at Pulaski. Now in its second year, the HSOB program is for students who want to study business in college, and particularly those who plan on pursuing an MBA or their own business.
“Our goal is that students who graduate from the HSOB program are well-prepared with the skills and knowledge to enter either college business administration programs, other post-secondary education, or the workforce,” MPS Career and Technical Education Coordinator Eric Radomski said. “We rely on Mr. Garzon’s leadership efforts to make that goal a reality.”
In addition to the business program, Pulaski has a Career and Technical Education program of study in transportation, which includes automotive coursework and hybrid-electric vehicle curriculum. Pulaski’s auto shop is home to two hybrid-electric vehicles donated by Johnson Controls.