Mary Nunnery-Williams Receives Phi Delta Kappa Excellence in Education Award

BATON ROUGE, LA – Mary Nunnery-Williams, Manager of Schools and Community Relations at Louisiana A+ Schools (LAA+) at LSU, received the Excellence in Education Award from the Southern University chapter of Phi Delta Kappa (PDK), a nonprofit organization that supports teachers and school leaders by strengthening their interest in the profession through the entire arc of their career. 

Nunnery-Williams is recognized for her outstanding contributions and impact on the education field. With more than a decade of experience in Louisiana schools, she has consistently demonstrated her commitment to enhancing the educational experience for students and fostering solid relationships within the community. In her role with LAA+, Nunnery-Williams is pivotal in bridging the gap between schools and the broader community. In this capacity, she utilizes her expertise to cultivate partnerships, facilitate communication and implement initiatives supporting educational excellence and community engagement. 

Nunnery-Williams is an alumna of Southern University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in social work and her master’s degree in mental health counseling. She worked as a classroom teacher in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System and Children Charter Middle School. She has also worked with various nonprofit organizations like the Big Buddy Program, Junior Achievement and Volunteers of America. She is currently pursuing her doctorate at University of Holy Cross. 

“Mary is an extraordinary leader whose work consistently strengthens the connection between schools and the communities they serve,” Bethany A. Hager, PhD, director of LAA+, said. “Her passion for students, her commitment to educators, and her ability to bring people together make her an invaluable part of Louisiana A+ Schools. I am incredibly proud to see her receive this well-deserved recognition.” 

---

About Louisiana A+ Schools
Louisiana A+ Schools (LAA+) is a network of schools dedicated to fostering a whole-school approach to teaching that weaves the arts into the fabric of school culture, curriculum, and community. The program emphasizes arts-integrated learning as a powerful tool to enhance academic performance and student engagement.

Visit Louisiana A+ Schools website.

About the LSU Lutrill & Pearl Payne School of Education
A school of the LSU College of Human Sciences & Education, the Lutrill & Pearl Payne School of Education (SOE) offers undergraduate programs for students who want to pursue a career as a pre-kindergarten through 12th grade teacher or acquire dual certification in both traditional elementary and special education classrooms. In addition, SOE offers 3 graduate certificates, 17 master’s degree program areas, 9 EdS certificate programs, and 2 PhD degrees in 11 areas of focus. SOE’s focus is not only on preparing highly qualified teachers but also in preparing educational leaders, curriculum studies scholars, educational technology experts, applied researchers, higher education professionals, school counselors, and clinical mental health counselors. SOE specializes scholarly expertise regarding pressing educational and wellness issues across the entire lifespan.

Visit the LSU Lutrill & Pearl Payne School of Education website.