'The Places You'll Go:' EPS Teacher Displays Former Student Accomplishments In Classroom

Edmond students head back to the school on Thursday and Edmond Public Schools teachers are ready to welcome a new group of students.

In 33 years of teaching and coaching at Edmond Santa Fe, one teacher figures he's had thousands of kids pass through his classroom.

“We're a 172-day family in the classroom,” Williams said.

While he only gets 172 days with each student before they’re off to chase their dreams, Williams likes to keep up with their accomplishments.

“It's really a neat thing to do over the, over the years of seeing where people go and what their story is and, and how they progress,” he said.

When decorating his classroom, he wanted to make sure the accomplishments of his former students were highlighted.

“I wanted to decorate my room, and I thought the idea of, “Oh, The Places You Will Go,” Williams said.

He took to Facebook, hoping to create a wall of fame and the response was overwhelming with nearly 300 comments and counting.

Each comment shares a former student’s journey since leaving Mr. Williams' classroom.

“There are a lot of educators, there's a lot of athletes, there's a lot of military, and there's a lot of lawyers and leaders and judges and, you know, there's all walks of life that are on that post," Williams said.

He plans to add as many stories to his bulletin board as possible for all his current students to see.

“I want them to know that when they step into this classroom that they matter,” he said.

But a common theme across all the student testimonies is the impact Williams had on them.

“My goal every single day when I drive to school is just I say a quick prayer to please let me be a blessing to at least one student,” Williams said.

Williams' teaching career shows how 172 days can impact someone for a lifetime.

Edmond Public Schools heads back to the classroom on August 15.