William N. Thomas IV Director of EdD Program & Professorial Lecturer SOE Faculty
- Degrees
- EdD University of Pennsylvania, Educational Leadership II MPS George Washington University, Middle-Grade Science II BA Morehouse College, English
- Favorite Place in Washington DC
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
- Book Currently Reading
- Respectable: Politics and Paradox in Making the Morehouse Man (By Saida Grundy)
- Bio
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William N. Thomas IV, EdD joined the faculty at American University in 2021 as a Professorial Lecturer in the School of Education’s EdD program and currently serves as the program's Director. Dr. Thomas’s research interests focus on the application of Self-Determination Theory (SDT) through an African epistemological lens to better understand how marginalized stakeholders can gain equitable access, logical opportunities and authentic empowerment in public schools and university settings. Specific topics include Teacher Retention, Pop Culture & Implicit Bias, Culturally Relevant and Responsive STEM education, Global Immersive Educational Experiences and using African Semiotics as a lens for coding Motivational Awareness and Resilience. In addition, Dr. Thomas explores various antiracist, humanizing and intersectional methodologies and conducts Practitioner Action Research using Improvement Science as a tool to facilitate rapid cycles of testing and refining interventions to improve antiracist practices based on what works in practice, not just in theory.
*Biography*: After graduating in 2004 with a BA degree in English from Morehouse College, Dr. Thomas taught in Washington, DC for eight years as a science teacher and received a Master’s degree from the George Washington University in Middle School Science. From 2012 to 2014 he was promoted to principal of the Community Academy Public Charter School’s Butler Global Campus and helped to create an authentic global culture for the school.
After serving as the Academy Leader for the campus, he decided to transition to secondary school leadership and earned the position of Director of High School Programs for Paul International High School and helped the school in the development of a 21st century international studies program. During his time, he traveled to Panama, London and Costa Rica with Paul PCS students and increased opportunities for students to travel. In addition, he led the My Brother’s Keeper mentoring program at the school establishing a monthly Saturday Academy, weekly mentoring and an annual male team builder.
His passion for developing young males of color led him to go back to the classroom to teach at the Ron Brown College Preparatory High School as a Biology teacher for two years. He led the development of a new all-male high school using an event-based approach to teaching NGSS cross-cutting science concepts. He also was the founding sponsor of the school’s chapter of the National Honor Society and facilitated the Morehouse Mystique mentoring program for ninth grade students.
In his last K-12 educational leadership role, William served as the Director of Science for the Mastery Charter Schools of Philadelphia and Camden. He led the network’s science program by supporting and building capacity of K-12 educators through curriculum development, strategic implementation, collaborative leadership, professional development and effective use of data and research.
His service leadership is grounded in a growth mindset that promotes reciprocal development through open communication, trust, motivation and accountability. In addition, William believes that strategic programming that meets students in and out of the classroom is key in the development of 21st century skills.
*Biography*: After graduating in 2004 with a BA degree in English from Morehouse College, Dr. Thomas taught in Washington, DC for eight years as a science teacher and received a Master’s degree from the George Washington University in Middle School Science. From 2012 to 2014 he was promoted to principal of the Community Academy Public Charter School’s Butler Global Campus and helped to create an authentic global culture for the school.
After serving as the Academy Leader for the campus, he decided to transition to secondary school leadership and earned the position of Director of High School Programs for Paul International High School and helped the school in the development of a 21st century international studies program. During his time, he traveled to Panama, London and Costa Rica with Paul PCS students and increased opportunities for students to travel. In addition, he led the My Brother’s Keeper mentoring program at the school establishing a monthly Saturday Academy, weekly mentoring and an annual male team builder.
His passion for developing young males of color led him to go back to the classroom to teach at the Ron Brown College Preparatory High School as a Biology teacher for two years. He led the development of a new all-male high school using an event-based approach to teaching NGSS cross-cutting science concepts. He also was the founding sponsor of the school’s chapter of the National Honor Society and facilitated the Morehouse Mystique mentoring program for ninth grade students.
In his last K-12 educational leadership role, William served as the Director of Science for the Mastery Charter Schools of Philadelphia and Camden. He led the network’s science program by supporting and building capacity of K-12 educators through curriculum development, strategic implementation, collaborative leadership, professional development and effective use of data and research.
His service leadership is grounded in a growth mindset that promotes reciprocal development through open communication, trust, motivation and accountability. In addition, William believes that strategic programming that meets students in and out of the classroom is key in the development of 21st century skills.
- For the Media
- To request an interview for a news story, call AU Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request.
Teaching
Summer 2024
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EDU-796 Selected Topics:Non-Recurring: Educ in Pop Cultr: Implct Bias
Fall 2024
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EDU-351 Science Content Elem Classroom
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EDU-704 Antiracism, Equity & Inclusion
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EDU-899 Doctoral Dissertation
Spring 2025
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EDU-711 Apply Antiracist Methods III