Heather Mishel Williams, M.Ed

Mishel Williams is a dedicated educator and advocate based in Philadelphia, where she has passionately served its students and families in various roles. With a background as a K-12 Special Education Teacher, School Leader, and Assistant Adjunct Professor in the College of Education and Human Development at her alma mater, Temple University, Mishel brings a wealth of experience to her work. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education/Special Education from Temple University (2004-2009) and a Master’s in Education Leadership with a Principal’s Certificate from Cabrini College in 2014.

Specializing in special education, Mishel’s expertise includes autism spectrum disorder, emotional disturbance, literacy, curriculum development, and program coordination. Throughout her career, she has primarily focused on supporting youth, families, and communities affected by the impacts of generational trauma stemming from crime, poverty, and abuse. Mishel has collaborated with non-profit organizations such as the Institute for the Development of African American Youth, Inc. (IDAAY), The Jahri Evans Foundation, Audible for Autism, and GrassRoots Community Foundation. In 2018, she was honored to be a featured speaker at the International Institute for Restorative Practices World Conference (IIRP).

As an author, Mishel has written and self-published her first two books, Little Z and Firefly: A Journey to Finding Light and Love and The Work: An Interactive Mental Health Guide. She is a passionate advocate for mental health and self-care for both children and adults, believing that teaching wellness tools early in life significantly increases the chances of developing healthy adults. When she’s not writing for her blogs, Mishel enjoys creating art, cooking, fashion, and building with Legos.

Click here to learn more about Mishel’s writing journey.