HOUSTON — The Houston Independent School District board of managers voted Thursday to terminate the contract of Benbrook Elementary teacher Michelle Williams for a second time, despite an independent examiner’s recommendation to reinstate her, following a hearing on allegations that she failed to comply with district curriculum requirements.
The state-appointed board upheld its decision after reviewing Williams’ appeal of her earlier termination in October.
Williams, a 26-year teaching veteran and president of the Houston Education Association, said after the vote that she expected the outcome and planned to move on.
The district removed Williams from her classroom in August and placed her on home duty with pay, citing allegations of insubordination, failure to follow protocols, and refusal to implement the district’s curriculum. Williams acknowledged that she did not follow certain instructional directives and said she believed some requirements were not appropriate for her students.
The dispute centers on whether Williams followed curriculum changes implemented after the Texas Education Agency took over the district in 2023.
District attorney Ellen Spalding said Williams informed her principal in an email that she would not use the required curriculum and argued that compliance with district standards is mandatory for teachers.
Williams’ attorney, Giana Ortiz, said Williams implemented the curriculum while raising concerns about its pacing and its ability to address the needs of certain student groups, including bilingual and special education students. Ortiz cited the independent examiner’s findings, which recommended reinstatement.
The board voted to terminate Williams’ contract after the hearing.
Williams previously faced removal in 2024 over social media posts criticizing district leadership but returned to her position after an independent examiner recommended reinstatement.
Williams is also a Democratic candidate for the Texas House District 127 seat in the upcoming election. She said she will focus on her campaign following the board’s decision.
