William Richards
About William Richards
William Richards serves as the Director of the Philadelphia Out Of School Time Literacy Initiative at the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation. With over 30 years of experience in education, he has held various roles, including teacher, literacy coach, and curriculum writer.
Work at Free Library of Philadelphia
William Richards has served as the Director of the Philadelphia Out-of-School Time Literacy Initiative at the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation since 2011. In this role, he focuses on enhancing literacy programs for children outside of regular school hours. His leadership aims to improve access to educational resources and foster a love for reading among youth in the Philadelphia area.
Previous Experience in Education
Before his current position, William Richards worked for 30 years at the School District of Philadelphia, where he held various roles including Teacher, Literacy Coach, Staff Developer, and Curriculum Writer from 1975 to 2005. After leaving the School District, he became the Director of Education Initiatives at Public/Private Ventures, serving from 2006 to 2011. His extensive experience in educational settings has informed his current initiatives.
Educational Background
William Richards studied at Temple University, where he earned a Master of Education (M. Ed.) degree. His academic focus included Education, Reading Specialist, and Special Education. This educational foundation has equipped him with the skills necessary to develop effective literacy programs and support diverse learning needs.
Current Role as Educational Consultant
Since 2019, William Richards has also been working as an Educational Consultant and Curriculum Writer for the Philadelphia Education Fund. In this capacity, he contributes to the development of educational materials and strategies aimed at improving literacy and overall educational outcomes for students in Philadelphia.