Media release from Floyd County, GA Schools:
Rick Williams, teacher at Floyd County Schools’ (FCS) College and Career Academy (CCA) and creator of the groundbreaking FAME Formula, has been awarded the prestigious Rising Star Award by the Georgia Educational Technology Conference (GaETC). Williams will be honored at the GaETC Conference this November in Atlanta, where he will also serve as a featured speaker.
Williams has gained statewide recognition for developing the FAME Formula, a reimagined approach to Georgia’s AVTF (Audio Video Technology & Film) pathway. The FAME Formula emphasizes project-based learning, independent work, scaffolding, and relationship-building, while combining filmmaking, podcasting, branding, and social media. His students’ work has collectively reached over 170,000 views across class-created media projects, showcasing the power of giving students authentic audiences.
At GaETC 2025, Williams will present not only on the FAME Formula but also debut a brand-new extension of the framework: EPIC, a student-centered approach to social media that stands for Engage, Promote, Inspire, and Captivate. EPIC equips schools to create meaningful, skill-building social media content that amplifies student voice, engages audiences, and strengthens school-community connections.
As part of the recognition, Williams was featured on GaETC: The Podcast, hosted by Dr. Lee Green. The episode is available for viewing on GaETC’s Facebook and YouTube pages.
“Being recognized by GaETC with the Rising Star Award is an incredible honor,” Williams said. “I’m excited to share how the FAME Formula has transformed my classroom and how EPIC can help schools harness social media to empower students and build authentic engagement.”
The GaETC Conference, held annually in Atlanta, is one of the premier education technology events in the Southeast, bringing together thousands of educators, administrators, and technology leaders to explore innovative teaching strategies and tools.
For more information about Rick Williams, the FAME Formula, or EPIC, follow FAME on Instagram @fame_cca or visit FAME’s Website.