East Grand Rapids — If you ask David Walker to break down his philosophy on education, you won’t have to wait long for an answer.
“For me, it’s about three things: working hard, being kind and staying curious,” Walker said. “It’s just sort of my mindset. … If you’re going to work hard, if you’re going to be kind and build relationships with stakeholders, and if you’re going to stay curious, that’s just what education’s all about.”
That refrain — work hard, be kind, stay curious — is kind of a motto for Walker, the new principal of East Grand Rapids Middle School. He’s even considered printing out a poster with that message on it, and putting it on the wall of his new office.
“It’s just an easy way for me to kind of … stay grounded,” he said. “If I live those values, I feel like I’m going to be much more successful as a leader and an educator.”
Walker, a Michigan transplant from Illinois by way of Wisconsin, told SNN more about himself in this edition of Meet Your Administrators.
‘What gives me joy is seeing people in their element, and really making a difference in kids’ lives.’
— Principal David Walker
Other positions in education:
- High-school social studies teacher, Atlas Preparatory Academy, Milwaukee
- Middle-school social studies teacher, Carmen Middle/High School of Science and Technology: Northwest Campus, Milwaukee
- Social studies teacher and assistant principal, Ronald Reagan High School, Milwaukee
What about jobs outside education? “Having grown up on a farm, I was kind of gathering eggs and bottle-feeding calves and stuff,” Walker said.
The first “real job” he had was helping clean up after detassling machines that pulled tassels out of corn stalks.
Education/degrees:
- Bachelor of arts, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- MBA in education leadership, Milwaukee School of Engineering
Walker is also in the process of earning a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
What drew you to East? Walker’s wife, Amanda Olson, is an EGR graduate — and now a teacher in the district — so he’d spent plenty of time in the area before he made the move.
“Every time I would visit, I was just in awe of the beautiful community that is East — the middle school in particular being right on Reeds Lake. The more I got to know the middle school specifically, it’s clear to me that the focus of the district is on, obviously, academic achievement and providing resources for teachers and students, but also really focusing on the whole-child approach. That just resonates with me, especially at the middle-school level.”
Why did you want to become an administrator? Walker spent time with the Teach for America program, which he said emphasizes the connection between teaching and leadership.
“You’re a teacher as a leader, that’s just part of the approach, the philosophy. I got a lot of encouragement that it might be something I’d be good at. … It seemed like a natural progression for me.”
As an administrator, he said, “I really got to see the whole school picture. Academically, yes, but also all the social-emotional supports that go into a school, and all the other pieces that make a school community function. That just brings me joy to see all the different things that people are doing for our kids.”
What would you like to share about your family? “My wife is an educator, she’s a special-ed teacher (at Wealthy Elementary). We have two kids, J.D., he’s 4, and we have a little girl, Emma, she’s 7 months.”
Name some great things about going into K-12 education: For one thing, Walker said, there’s “never a dull moment. I’m never looking at the clock and feeling like the day’s going slowly.”
He said he also enjoys the endless opportunities to learn, whether it’s new content or curriculum, or just learning about the people that make up a school community.
“What gives me joy is seeing people in their element, and really making a difference in kids’ lives. Whether that’s teaching a math lesson or a school counselor really doing things to look out for the kids, it’s the best part of my job.”
What ideas or strategies will you bring to EGRMS from your last posting? “I’m excited to continue working with the high school here. (Principal) Dr. Schukow at the high school has been great. We’ve been collaborating, continuing to streamline how the middle school and the high school are in alignment on things, so we’ve been brainstorming ideas there.”
Describe your leadership style in seven words or less: “Collaborative, reflective, tied to relationships.”
What kind of kid were you as a middle-schooler? “I followed the Golden Rule and was always kind to others. I was very academically talented but at times just lacked discipline. I was fortunate to have parents who really prioritized education … so school always came naturally to me in terms of academics, (but) I maybe didn’t challenge myself as I could have. That’s something I’m excited for, too. We have, at this school in particular, an opportunity to really push students and challenge them. I want to make sure that I’m doing that.”
If you could choose to have a superpower, what would it be? “I would love to freeze time, both because I have young kids, and because there’s so much to do. Just to press pause every once in a while, to stay present in the moment, but also to get everything done.”
Anything else? “This job is a dream come true, I don’t know how else to say it. I’m absolutely thrilled to be here. I’m trying to balance staying grounded and getting all the work done with just being overjoyed at the opportunity I’ve been given. I’m just so appreciative to everyone who’s been part of the process, and I’m thrilled to be here.”
Read more from East Grand Rapids:
• Young filmmakers capture the story and legacy of West Michigan nonprofit leaders
• She gave the gift of greenery to her elementary school
