Administration

Heather Williams

Heather Williams -​ Principal

Heather holds a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Texas Tech University and a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University. She is a National Board Certified Teacher and has completed the Louisiana Principal Fellowship Program through the National Institute for School Leaders. Heather started her teaching career in San Antonio, Texas, where she taught kindergarten and first grade. She then moved to Zachary, Louisiana, where she continued teaching first grade. Upon moving to Caddo Parish, Heather taught 3rd grade at South Highlands and joined the Caddo Parish District Elementary Math Task Force, supporting Math teachers throughout the district. She serves on the Executive Council for the Louisiana Association of Teachers of Mathematics and received the 2019 Regional Teacher of the Year from Magnet Schools of America. In 2018, she was a Louisiana State Finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Heather is married to Greg Williams, the C.E. Byrd High School Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach. They have three children, McCoy, Marlowe and Mae Walker. Her educational philosophy is to create life-long learners by igniting curiosity, encouraging educational risk-taking, and promoting perseverance in problem solving.

hlwilliams@caddoschools.org

Joanna Nesbitt

Joanna Nesbitt - Coordinator

Joanna graduated from The University of Mississippi in 2010 with a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education. She went on to pursue a Masters Degree in Curriculum & Instruction and completed in 2011. While working towards her masters, she taught Pre-Kindergarten and loved every minute. After finishing at Ole Miss, Joanna moved to Shreveport, Louisiana and began teaching 5th grade at Walnut Hill Elementary/Middle School. During her 10 years at Walnut Hill, she served as teacher, Instructional Coordinator, and Assistant Principal and obtained her Reading Specialist endorsement. In 2021, Joanna was selected as the K-5 English/Language Arts Title I Specialist for Caddo Parish Schools. Although each role has truly been wonderful, Joanna enjoys the title of 'teacher' best. Joanna is the mother of two current South Highlands Tigers.

jmnesbitt@caddoschools.org

Melissa Williams

Melissa Williams - Counselor

Melissa graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a Master of Arts in Counseling, both from Louisiana Tech University. Mrs. Williams began her career as a first grade teacher in Ouachita Parish and a few years later transferred to Bellaire Elementary in Bossier.  She began her career as a Professional School Counselor at Walnut Hill in 2003 and has worked as the elementary counselor at North DeSoto PK-2 and Magnolia School of Excellence.   In 2006, Mrs. Williams became a National Certified School Counselor and was awarded the Caddo Parish Elementary Counselor of the Year.  Mrs. Williams joined the South Highlands family in 2014.  Melissa is married to Chris Williams, and they have 3 children, Trevor, Ainsley and Emma.  She was the 2018 - 2019 Elementary Counselor of the year.

mlwilliams@caddoschools.org