Williams H.S. Principal Sara Bonser Captures Southwest Region AP Award

January 20, 2010

Sara Bonser, Williams High School principal, believes that providing access to students early in their high school career to the rigor of Advanced Placement (AP) courses and pre-AP courses promotes college readiness, "whether students score a "3" or higher on the exams or not," she said.

Sara Bonser (front, center) is pictured with Williams High School AP Teachers Ruth Bernabo, Jana Fry, Julia Napier, Joel Stanford and Lenne Stricker.

Sara's demonstrated long-term and multi-faceted involvement with the AP program at Williams has garnered her a 2010 Southwestern Region AP Award from The College Board. She will be honored at an awards luncheon to be held in February in Austin.

With access and equitable opportunity for all students at the forefront of its college readiness program, Williams High School removed all criteria for admission to AP or pre-AP/honors coursework in 2004. "We adopted an open and inclusive enrollment policy with a philosophy of 'how can we get students into AP and keep them there' rather than an exclusive policy of 'how can we keep students out and get them out,'" explained Sara.

Sara was intereviewd for the "District Digest" employee newsletter. Following are her responses.

Digest: What is your philosophy of education for the students at Williams?

Sara: It is our school's goal that, by the time our students reach senior high school, because of their experience and exposure to rigor at Williams High School, we will have prepared them for a much brighter academic future in high school and beyond.

Digest: What are the keys to student achievement at Williams?

Sara: It became apparent to me early during my principalship that one of the keys to improved student achievement was through more students engaging in rigorous coursework. I took deliberate steps to learn about the programs and opportunities through College Board and other sources in order to provide more equity and access for my diverse student populations to enroll in rigorous courses that would better prepare them for college and careers.

The first step I took was to attend each regional AP conference. I have taken many concepts learned at these conferences and implemented them on my campus and at the district level. In addition, I take teachers, counselors and administrators to the training so that we are developin capacity within our system.

Digest: What programs and initiatiaves support the Williams AP program?

Sara: To support the highest levels of instruction at Williams, I send teams of teachers to AP/pre-AP training provided by College Board each year. I support my teachers in becoming AP exam readers in the summer. One of our most innovative and progressive programs that I've utilized on our campus is College Ed, which is now a part of the middle school college readiness program as well as an an integral part of the program on my campus.

In addition, the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program helps students who might not otherwise have considered college but who, with skills and support, show potential for success in college.

Digest: How have you expanded the AP program at Williams?

Sara: When I became principal of Williams seven years ago, we offered two AP classes to our student body to approximately 80 students. Today, 812 students at Williams (40 percent of the population) take AP exams. In social studies alone, 60 percent of our student body is enrolled in pre-AP or AP coursework. Our students are choosing AP-level courses, and our teachers are making it possible for students to reach their potential.

Digest: As the most diverse campus (minority majority), it would seem likely that you would offer the least number of AP courses and have the fewest number of students participating. How have you ensured more student involvement in AP courses?

Sara: The goal of access, equity and opportunity for all students continues to be at the forefront of our campus vision. We believe in providing the skills and support for students in the most rigorous class setting. And, our students rise to the occasion.

Digest: What are the results of your efforts?

Sara: Even with increased diversity and a 10 percent increase in the number of economically disadvantaged students over the past seven years, Williams has proven with results that open access to rigorous courses such as pre-AP and AP enables students to be successful in high-level academics.

In 2008-09, the number of AP test takers at Williams has increased significantly to 8.9 percent of Asian students taking AP exams, 26 percent of African-American students, 22 percent of Hispanic students and 9.8 percent of our white students taking exams.

Indeed, our campus rating has risen to that of "Recognized" after consistently being rated by the state as "Academically Acceptable." We believe that rigor is the key to this improvement.

Digest: Have you had opportunities to share the Williams success story?

Sara: I've been fortunate to be involved at the local, state and national levels to share what works at Williams. Next month, I will serve as a moderator at the "Raise Your Hand Texas" Harvard Leadership Reunion meeting in San Antonio. I was among 100 educators in the original Harvard Graduate School of Education's Principals' Center in 2007, a program involving educators from across the country who met at Harvard University to share ideas regarding several education issues. I am honored to be invited back in February to the Texas meeting to serve as moderator for a discussion about redesigning high schools for improved instruction.

Quotable...

"Sara truly uses the open door policy in providing the opportunity for students to take Advanced Placement courses. Through her encouragement, minority participation, total enrollment and the number of exams given has increased. In keeping with the philosophy of The College Board, her involvement in Advanced Placement at Williams has been the academic bridge to higher level courses for all students."
~ Paul Weaver, director of counseling and guidance

"Sara is a person who has the ability to work and take all people forward. She's interested in reaching the potential of reaching every student on her campus. That makes her an especially strong principal."
~Mike Collinsworth, area assistant superintendent, east cluster

About Sara Bonser

Plano ISD Career Experience

• June 2003-Present -- Principal, Williams High School
• June 1999-June 2003 -- Principal, Hendrick Middle School
• January 1997-June 1999 -- Assistant Principal, Hendrick Middle School
• March 1995-December 1996 -- Dean of Students, Hendrick Middle School
• October 1992-March 1995 -- Business Education Teacher, Shepton High School

Leadership Opportunities

• District Strategic Planning Committee, Fall 2007
• District Athletic Strategic Planning Committee, 2007-Present
• Co-Chair Student Achievement Committee, East Cluster, 2006-Present
• AVID Training and Administration- Cluster Implementation, 2005-Present
• College Readiness Vertical Planning and Implementation, 2005-Present
• Ruby Payne Trainer, East Cluster Training Facilitator, 2002-Present
• Summit Response Team - Capacity Development, 2004-2005
• Completion Rate Committee-Community Connectedness, 2004-2005
• Closing the Gap High School Committee, 2004-2005
• Diversity Steering Committee, 1999-2003

Curriculum Leadership Opportunities

• Graduation Plan Steering Committee, 2009
• Algebra 1 Credit Committee, 2009
• New Course Selection Committee, 2003-Present
• Trained Texas Observation Protocol Rater, 2005-Present
• LAT Trained Test Administrator, 2005-Present
• Kylene Beers, Why Kids Can't Read Training, October 2006
• Gretchen Bernabai, Revising the School Essay Training, November 2005
• 7-Period Day Steering Committee, 2004-2005
• 7-Period Day Extra-Curricular Committee Co-Chair, 2004-2005
• Career Education Review Committee, 2004-2005
• AYP Committee, 2004-2005
• Margaret Kilgo Assessment Training/Just 4 Kids, 2002-2004

Community Leadership Opportunities

• United Way-Destination Graduation Partnership, 2006-Present
  Leadership Plano, 2006-2007
• Council of PTSA High School Administrative Representative, 2006-2007
• City of Plano, Student Job Shadow Liaison, 2005-Present
• Collin County Community College-Teacher Recruitment Night, 2003-2006
• Chamber of Commerce, Business Presentation Partnership, 2005-2006

Human Resources Leadership Opportunities

• Principal Hiring Panel, 2007-Present
• Team Leader Academy Steering Committee, 2005-2007
• Hiring Panel, Nurse Educator, June 2006
• Hiring Panel, East Cluster Security Specialist, May 2006
• Staffing Formula District Committee, Spring 2006
• Hiring Panel, District Security Specialist, December 2002

Technology Leadership Opportunities

• McREL Power Walkthrough Training & Implementation, August 2009-Present
• MAP Trained, November 2005
• My Access Writing Program Trained, November 2005
• Pearson Math Asssessment/Benchmark Implementation, September 2006-Present

Cluster Leadership Opportunities

• Student Achievement Committee and Co-Chair, 1999-Present
• Ruby Payne Cluster Trainer, 2002-Present
• Best Practice Site Visit Coordinator: McAllen, Texas, February 2004; Lewisville 9th Grade Center, April 2006
• Administrative Council Representative, 2004-2005
• Resiliency Trainer, 2000-2003
• Vertical Team Facilitator -- Hendrick and Williams Feeders, 1999-Present
• Horizontal Team Facilitator, 1999-Present

Finance/Facilities Management Opportunities

• 2008 Bond Election Committee, 2007-2008
• Field House Addition, 2006-Present
• Science Wing Addition, 2005-2006
• Swimming Pool Renovation/Auditorium Renovation, 2004-2005
• Williams Campus Renovation, 2003-2004
  
  Other Leadership Opportunities
• Principal Leadership Academy Planning Committee, 2007-2009
• College Board Training-Promoting Rigor in Schools/Building AP Programs, February 2006
• Cheerleader Guideline Committee, 2004-2005
• Principal Shadow Day, Plano Education Foundation, January 2003
• Principal Leadership Academy, 2001-2002
• Galveston Institute: A Comprehensive Approach to Managing And Motivating Difficult Students, June 2001
• SBIC Facilitator, 1999-Present

Education

• Superintendent Certification Program, Texas A&M, Commerce, Texas, 2007-2009, GPA 4.0
• Redesigning High Schools for Improved Instruction, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 2008
• M.Ed., Education Administration, The University of North Texas, 1991-1992, GPA 4.0
• B.S., Business Education, Minor in Psychology, University of Wisconson-Eau Claire, 1982-87, GPA 3.0
• Randers Gymnasium, Randers, Denmark, January-June 1986
• Certifications: Superintendent, Mid-Management, Composite Business Education

Williams High School Honors and Awards

• Just For Kids "2009 High Performing School" Mathematics, 2009-2010
• Exemplary Campus Designation for Improvement in Writing
• Model Campus for State of Texas-The High School Project, 2007-2009
• Plano ISD Diversity Leadership Award Finalist-Community Group, January 2010
• Plano ISD Diversity Leadership Award – Student Group,  January 2009
• Plano ISD Experienced Teacher of the Year from Williams HS, 2008
• Plano ISD Experienced Teacher of the Year from Williams HS, 2007
• Plano ISD Beginning Teacher of the Year from Williams HS, 2007

Professional Honors and Activities

• College Board Southwestern Region AP Award Winner, January 2010
• American Education Research Association Presenter, April 2010 (selected as speaker)
• Raise Your Hand Texas, Harvard Principal Award Winner, 2008
• Raise Your Hand Texas Harvard Principal Reunion Alumni Conference, 2009 & 2010
• Raise Your Hand Texas Harvard Principal Alumni Conference Moderator, 2010
• Plano Principals' Association, 1996-Present
• NASSP, 1993-Present
• ASCD, 1993-Present
• EDS Focus Group for Education and Business, 1994
• Kappa Delta Pi, Education Honor Society, 1992
• Beta Sigma Phi, April 1992-1996
• Wisconsin Task Force for Curriculum Development in Business Education, 1987-1988
• College Commencement Speaker, 1987

Other Work Experience

• Nuclear Management and Resources Council, Washington, D.C., 1989-1990
• Assistant Controller, Assistant Personnel Director, Corporate Meeting Planner
• Neillsville High School, Neillsville, WI, 1987-1989
• Business Education Teacher, Department Chairperson, Adult Education Instructor,
• Drug and Alcohol Counselor, FBLA Sponsor, School Newspaper Sponsor, Class Advisor