Jason Williams

Contact Information:

• • williamsj@pearlandisd.org

Credentials: 

• • University of Houston - History/Studio Arts 
  • Social Studies 8-12 Certification

Tutorial Times:

• • Tuesday 2:35 - 3:30
  • Thursday 2:35 - 3:30
  • Thursday MegaLunch
    • (First Half)

Conference Time:

• • B-Day 6th Period
  • 8:50 - 10:20

About Me:

I grew up in the Sagemont area and graduated from Dobie High school in 1997. I then moved to Dallas the next year and began college at The University of Texas at Dallas. After a year there I took some time off to work and experience life! I then returned home and finished up schooling; First at San Jacinto Central Campus where I focused my studies on Journalism, and then at The University of Houston Main Campus. I graduated in 2007 with a BA in History, and a minor in Art (photography and drawing.)

My Junior year of college I decided to direct my energy toward a career in education. I had always had it in the back of my mind, and as graduation drew near, I finally locked in on what I wanted to do. I graduated in December '07 and began working with Texas Teachers to get my alternative certification. 

In the meantime, I still had to pay those pesky bills. I started working at Barnes & Noble after college for a little over 2 years. I have over 500 books in my personal library, so this was a bit of a dream job for me...even if I basically spent my whole paycheck on books! After a couple years of B&N I wanted something different. I found a job driving a delivery truck for a fundraising company called Express. I also really like driving, drove to Colorado nonstop 5 years ago (18 hours if you're curious), so this was a great job that allowed me a lot of time to myself on the road. I can still remember where I was when I got the call to come in for an interview that landed me my first teaching position at PHS. I was in a truck with NO A/C (100-degree day) on 59 South right next to George R. Brown Convention Center. I received an unknown number call and I had a feeling it was PHS, so I pulled over in the emergency lane and took the call. The rest is history...(see what I did there?)

My first year at PHS was 2013. That year I taught Government and Economics. I loved teaching Government!! I think it is possibly one of the most important courses you will ever take in you educational career..possibly life.

VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!! 

 I also taught Economics...(TAKE THIS IN SUMMER SCHOOL!!!!)

The next 3 years I taught US History, which I really grew to love. There is such an interesting history to how the US came to where we are today. It is not always pretty, but it is our unique struggle to be the best country we can that makes us the amazing people we are.

After US History I moved back to Government & Economics and also picked up Psychology and Sociology. Neither of which I had ever taught or taken, but I really loved learning about these 2 new subjects, Sociology especially. 

I was moved to World History for the 2020 Pandemic year have taught that since. 

I am so excited to now be at Turner teaching AP World History. I can't wait to really dig into the history and teach students how to prepare for a rigorous exam. 

I was also the Speech & Debate Sponsor at PHS for the past year and I am excited to announce I am working with the Academic Decathlon team at Turner. 

Personally:

I like to stay busy as much as I can. I have played guitar for about 25 years and picked up bass about 10 years ago when I started playing in a band here in Houston. (yes, there are videos...no I'm not adding a link. 😊) This was one of the coolest experiences ever. I got to meet and play with my all-time favorite band at Free Press Summer Fest one year. Ask and I’ll tell you who. 😊 This past summer I started working on Piano as well and have been really enjoying it. I've been working on Moonlight Sonata and have about 25 measures down so far.

Along with books I also collect vinyl records and comics. I have over 3000 comics, which include Amazing Spiderman #1 (signed by Stan Lee RIP), Incredible Hulk #2 and Spiderman #50...among others. 

Vinyl is my newest collection and I've only got about 300 of them. I had the chance to grab one of the 1st 4 pressings of Led Zeppelin’s first album, but it was $1000...and I'm a teacher. ;) 

Vinyl is actually my second newest collection. Despite all my best efforts to not, I have begun collecting Pop Vinyls. They are expensive and take up a lot of space. LOL

I also seem to collect hobbies and have recently started learning Leatherwork. It’s really cool! You can make armor! I’ll be dressing up for Ren Fest this year for sure!!!

Top 5 Movies 

Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (It is Most Excellent)

Goonies – Do yourself a favor and watch this before you get old!

Lord of the Rings (count them all as 1)

Django – Love Tarantino’s movies

Weekend at Bernies – Guilty pleasure…what can I say?  

Top 5 Video Games - PS4

Spiderman (PS4) – Who doesn’t like being Spiderman?

Red Dead Redemption – you get to be a cowboy…how awesome!!!

Ratchet and Clank – just plain fun!!

Ghost of Tsushima – This might be my all-time favorite game EVER!!!!

Tony Hawk Pro Skater – Such a fun game!!!

Top 6 books (had to add in DUNE!!!)

My favorite book of all times is actually 6 books.

1: Lord of the Rings (Tolkien)

2: Cat's Cradle (Vonnegut)

3: Stranger in a Strange Land (Helinein)

I have read each of these books at least 4 times each. LOTR is closer to 6 or 7, I forget. 

4: American Gods (Gaiman) 

5: Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas)

6: DUNE (Herbert)...SOOOOOOOOO good!!!! The new movie is amazing and I am eagerly waiting for the 2^nd one!!!

I am looking forward to this new year!!

Class Schedule: