Helen Stiff-Williams

Dr. Helen Stiff-Williams is a Professional Development Associate for The Leadership and Learning Center.  Her areas of expertise include:  Data Driven Decision Making, Data Teams, Teaching Standards-Based Education, Systemic Character Education, and School Improvement for Low-Achieving Students and Low-Performing Schools.  Along with teaching in higher education, Helen’s professional activities involve presenting annually at the ASCD Conference and the Character Education Partnership Forum.  In providing professional consulting services, Helen has presented in schools and districts across the USA and Canada, plus served as a long-term consultant to the US Department of Education.

As a tenured professor at Regent University, Helen teaches in and provides coordination for the K-12 Leadership cognate area in the doctoral program.  Currently, Helen is also engaged in research and writing projects on effective urban schools, using Character Education to increase student achievement, and a book on teaching Character Education.  Her most recent publication is a co-edited book, Closing the African-American Achievement Gap in Higher Education, published in 2007 by Teachers College Press.

Helen’s past professional experiences include chairman of the Department of Education at Hampton University and division chief in the Virginia Department of Education where she engaged in research, writing, and design work on standards-based curriculum, policy development, and K-12 organizational change.  Her practical knowledge and experience evolves from serving as an assistant superintendent for instruction and curriculum and working as a school principal at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.

Helen resides in the Richmond Metro Area of Virginia.  She earned a bachelor’s degree from Hampton University, a master’s degree from Longwood University, and a doctoral degree in school administration from the University of Virginia.

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