Teacher Darius Williams sparked controversy on his second day at Wheatley High School after posting a video claiming senior students could not read or write, prompting a swift rebuttal from students and district officials.
Students dispute teacher’s claims
One student told Houston Public Media that Williams was “lying,” while another, Alexis Salgado, said some struggled with essays but could read, noting the school’s recent “A” rating from the Texas Education Agency.
School’s academic performance
Wheatley High School earned its first “A” accountability rating from the Texas Education Agency, with the Houston Independent School District’s press office stating that strong instruction and targeted support have driven significant academic gains.
Teacher’s video content
In the since‑deleted video recorded on his second day, Williams said, “I simply don’t know where the problem is. This is only day two, and I have seniors who simply cannot read and seniors who cannot write,” adding that he completed sentences for 17‑ and 18‑year‑old students who could not fill in four words.
Social media presence and business background
Williams, known online as “DariusCooks,” commands nearly 700,000 Instagram followers and over one million TikTok followers, built through cooking videos, cookbook sales and dining experiences, while the Better Business Bureau of Metro Atlanta has warned consumers to exercise caution with his company.
Consumer complaints and legal history
Customers reported unfulfilled dining experiences and undelivered cookbooks, and the BBB cited concerns about his business practices; in 2019, Williams settled a credit‑repair fraud case by paying $145,750 and agreeing to cease operations in Georgia after the state attorney general found illegal upfront charges and misleading debt‑removal claims.
Transition to education
After the settlement, Williams relocated to Houston and was hired as a career and technical education teacher at Wheatley High School, according to the school’s staff directory.
