On Friday, the Phoenix Union High School District (PXU) announced Mr. James Williams as the next Phoenix Coding Academy Principal, beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. He replaces Ms. Dana Cook, the school’s interim principal for the 2024-2025 school year.

Mr. Williams has served as the Academy Principal for Science, Technology, and Aerospace and the campus administrator for student learning at the Academies at South Mountain since 2022. Mr. Williams has served PXU families since 2018 after stints with Teach for America and the Roosevelt Elementary School District. In 2008, Mr. Williams earned a Bachelor’s of Psychology from the University of Georgia, a Master’s of Special Education from Arizona State University, and his principal certification from the University of Denver. A lifelong learner, Mr. Williams has continued to earn credits in continuing education programs at Arizona State and the University of Arizona. In addition to being a strong and innovative educational leader in Phoenix Union, he has taught undergraduate and graduate-level courses at Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation.

“Mr. Williams is a true innovator and has shown a deep love and compassion for Phoenix Union’s students, staff, and families,” PXU Superintendent Thea Andrade said. “His enthusiasm for the future of technology and innovation is a perfect fit for the Phoenix Coding Academy, and I cannot wait to see what this school looks like under his leadership.”