Meet our Admin Team

🎉 Welcome to the 2026-27 School Year! 🎉

Welcome back to Mary F. Williams Elementary School! I am excited to begin another year with our Panther Cubs, families, and staff. This is our 23rd year as a school community and my ninth year at MWES. It continues to be a privilege to serve as the principal of a school that I care so deeply about.

Our focus this year is simple:

Every Panther Cub. Every Classroom. Every Day.

This means ensuring that every child is known, supported, challenged, and provided with meaningful opportunities to learn and grow. Aligned with the PWCS Elevate 2030 Strategic Plan, we will continue to focus on high-quality instruction, student well-being, strong family partnerships, and preparing our students for future success.

I am also honored to have been selected as a Cahn Distinguished Principal Fellow for the 2026-27 school year. I look forward to learning alongside outstanding school leaders from across the country and bringing new ideas and innovative practices back to MWES.

A little about me: I have worked in education for more than 30 years and have proudly served in PWCS since 2006. I am a proud mother of two and grandmother to six granddaughters, including two sets of twins! My son lives in Brooklyn, New York, and my daughter is an elementary school teacher here in PWCS. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, traveling, and creating special memories with my granddaughters.

I strongly believe in the power of relationships, high expectations, and ensuring that every student feels seen, valued, and capable of success. The MWES team is excited to partner with you and make this a wonderful year for every Panther Cub.

#EveryPantherCubEveryClassroomEveryDay

Danna B. Johnson
Principal
Mary F. Williams Elementary School

#MWESExcellentTogether
#EveryPantherCubEveryClassroomEveryDay
#5Dens1Pride

Welcome to another exciting year of learning and growing at Mary Williams Elementary School!

I’m Heather Ultsch, and I’m thrilled to begin my fourth year as your Assistant Principal. Every day, our students inspire me with their big ideas, courageous choices, and determination to grow.

Schools truly are the heart and soul of a community, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of the Mary Williams family. I believe strong relationships are the foundation of a thriving school community. This year, much of my work will focus on supporting high-quality instruction and helping our teachers turn our school improvement goals into meaningful learning experiences for students. Data and goals are important, but behind every number is a Panther Cub with strengths to celebrate and potential waiting to be unlocked. That is what keeps me motivated!

When I’m not at school, you can usually find me reading a good book, working on an embroidery project, birdwatching, or dreaming about my next trip to the beach. I also love spending time with my husband, Craig, and our daughter, Clementine, who is entering seventh grade this year.

My hope for the 2026-2027 school year is that every student feels supported in their learning, empowered to take risks, and confident that they belong here. I can’t wait to see what our Panther Cubs accomplish, and I’ll be right there cheering them on!

Sincerely,

Heather Ultsch
Assistant Principal

#MWESExcellentTogether
#5Dens1Pride

Communicator, Woo, Positivity, Developer, Activator

My name is Geronda Stroman Gillens, and I am honored to serve as an Assistant Principal at Mary Williams Elementary School for the 2026-2027 school year. As I begin my second year at Mary Williams, I am excited to continue building on the relationships, systems, and successes established during my first year. I look forward to deepening my partnerships with staff, students, and families as we work together to support academic excellence, foster a positive school culture, and ensure every student thrives.

With more than 19 years of experience in education, I bring a deep passion for student achievement, instructional excellence, and meaningful family and community partnerships. I hold an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from Liberty University, along with advanced degrees in Early Childhood Education and School Psychology.

Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of serving students and families in a variety of roles, including classroom teacher, teacher leader, and school administrator. These experiences have allowed me to support curriculum development, strengthen instructional practices, promote a positive school culture, and ensure that all students have access to engaging and inclusive learning opportunities. I am committed to fostering an environment where every child feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach their fullest potential.

Outside of school, I am married to my wonderful husband, Devry, and we are the proud parents of three amazing daughters: Savannah (13), Dallas (12), and Harlem (7). As a former military spouse, I have a deep appreciation for resilience, adaptability, and the importance of strong community connections. I enjoy traveling with my family and getting lost in a good book. I am also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, and several academic honor societies.

I look forward to partnering with our students, staff, and families as we work together to make this a successful and rewarding school year for every Panther Cub. It is a privilege to serve the Mary Williams community, and I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.

With Panther Pride,

Geronda Gillens

#MWESExcellentTogether
#5Dens1Pride