S3, Ep3: Dictators, Demotions, and Dollars-Inside the HISD Drama with Ms. Michelle Williams
This week, we are discussing one of the most embattled school districts in the country—HISD. Joining us is the bold and unapologetic Ms. Michelle Williams, president of the Houston Education Association (HEA), who’s been at the center of HISD’s whirlwind headlines. If you’ve been following the drama, you know this isn’t just a story about schools—it’s about power, politics, and the fight for teachers' rights.
We’re starting with Ms. Williams’s personal story. If you have tuned in to some previous episodes, you will recall Ms. Williams being recommended for termination over a so-called social media policy violation that didn’t even actually happen. Yeah, she fought back, and spoiler: she "won". But the fallout wasn’t just hers to bear. A few administrators lost their jobs after those false claims surfaced.
And if that wasn’t enough, there’s the ongoing showdown with HISD’s controversial superintendent, Mike Miles. From his autocratic leadership style to his tactics that critics call downright tyrannical, we’re discussing it all. Ms. Williams doesn’t hold back, especially when talking about the chaos happening in schools like Pershing Middle and Sharpstown High, where toxic work environments and principals are driving teachers out and creating instability for students.
We’re also tackling the teacher certification scandal that recently exploded in the headlines, with a few HISD teachers being thrust into the spotlight as the “face” of the controversy. This issue, which involved educators across the state, stemmed from questions surrounding proper certifications. While some debate if the claims are valid, the situation spiraled into a highly publicized ordeal that many believe was more about political/racial optics than genuine concern for education quality. Ms. Williams breaks down how this scandal unfolded and why Houston’s DA, Kim Ogg, may have capitalized on it during an election year.
We’re also discussing the $4.4 billion bond proposal that voters shut down, a moment that showed the community is done playing games with their tax dollars. Ms. Williams explains why that decision matters and how collective action can spark meaningful change.
Of course, we’re also talking solutions. Ms. Williams breaks down the importance of union membership in this fight and why staying silent in the face of bullying and mistreatment isn’t an option anymore. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but as she points out, it is happening. Teachers are finding their voices, speaking out, and standing up for themselves and their students.
But don’t worry, it’s not all heavy! We keep things real, raw, and even funny as we explore the highs and lows of fighting the good fight. You’ll laugh, you’ll learn, and you might even find yourself wanting to join the movement by the end of the episode.
How to support Ms. Williams:
Ms. Michell
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