Emily Williams hopes to bring knowledge from her education background in her new role as the UGA Family and Consumer Sciences extension agent for Madison and Oglethorpe counties.
She taught for nine years, including her most recent job as an OCHS food science teacher and FCCLA adviser.
“Teaching is my passion,” Williams said. “I’m able to take that part of my education and my experience in education and use it in a different way.”
The goal of FACS is to “improve one’s quality of life.” Williams' role as an extension agent is to be a resource to the community by providing programs related to FACS.
The programs include subjects such as: money, home, health, food, family and textiles.
“I feel like this is a great way for me to still work with the schools, but also work with all parts of the community and get to know both sides of Madison and Oglethorpe a little bit more,” she said.
Travis Tankersley, the Madison County Extension coordinator said he believes that they got the “right” person for the job.
“Just having somebody that’s passionate about what we do, coming in and do it,” Tankersley said.
Williams, an Oglethorpe County native, is excited to be able to “branch out” through the community. She hopes to introduce FACS programs, such as food preservation, general food safety and physical activity workshops, including “Walk-a-weigh.”
“I think a lot of people are looking for a way to exercise, but don’t know where to start,” Williams said.
As a “resource for the whole community,” she also helps answer questions from people and provide them with answers ranging to anything from cooking to finances.
“I like to be available as a resource to people and give back to my hometown,” Williams said. “I’m excited to spend more time in different areas of the county.”
She started her new role on June 1, but Williams was able to take one last trip with Oglethorpe County High School this summer.
Her students participated in FCCLA Nationals categories Repurpose and Redesign category and Fashion Design category. The group traveled to Seattle, where they went to Pike Place Market and the Space Needle, and saw a Seattle Mariners baseball game.
“For our project, I really enjoyed learning more about sewing and learning more about teamwork, I think those were really vital for me to learn,” 16-year-old Grace Foland said.
Johanna Castellanos and Marlene Bahena were rated silver in the Repurpose and Redesign category for their project “JM Bags.” The project involved use of plastic grocery bags to create purses.
Foland, Miley Christian and Ellen Hgay were rated bronze for their project called “Fashion Forward.” The project aimed to design four professional dress outfits.
“I think the biggest takeaway was not necessarily the skills that they built, the sewing skills and repurposing skills, which are obviously important in everyday life,” Williams said, “but more about pushing the boundaries to see how far they could take themselves.”