Lori Williams
Criminal Justice Teacher
Lincoln High School, San Diego Unified SD
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
I experienced a traumatic experience when my high school boyfriend was killed by a drunk driver.
Then I started a chapter of Students Against Destructive Decisions at my high school.
Then I was asked to join Traffic Safety Council and met law enforcement with hearts for prevention.
Then I went to MNU, majored in Psych / Soc. and interned in the Juvenile Detention Center.
Then I graduated and became a Juvenile Probation Officer.
Then I stayed home with my kids and when my husband was laid off we moved to San Diego.
I started working with SDUSD Career Technical Ed. to network an connect students with professionals.
Then I started teaching Criminal Justice and Restorative Practice inspiring HOPE!
Education
High School
Oak Park High School
Oak Park High School
Career
Criminal Justice Teacher
I empower students to be the change they want to see in the world.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Law
Education
Helping People
Day to Day
I am at school to prepare for my day at 6am. My first students usually arrive around 7am to either chat before class or have a quiet place to wait. I teach Intro to Criminal Justice and CJ Careers. We talk about issues that are in the news and are effecting their daily lives and their families. The more students understand how the system is supposed to work and the purpose the more empowered they feel to make improvements in the system, in the community and their own lives.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for college students
Do a job you will love. I loved being a probation officer! I only stopped to stay home with my children when my second child was born. When I moved from Kansas City to San Diego - probation here had a different culture and I took my skills to the school district so I could try to make a difference in kids lives and keep them out of "the system."
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Parents:
"Careers in social work don't make any money and have a high degree of burnout."
Challenges I Overcame
Death
