Walker has taught every grade
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“I’ve done it all and it’s given me a perspective of the education system as a whole that most teachers don’t have,” Walker said. “I can see the big picture and that has been very helpful.”
If it hadn’t been for a lack of interest in math and science, Walker said she probably wouldn’t have even been a teacher. Growing up, she had wanted to be a pediatrician, but was put off by the strong math and science background necessary for a career in the medical profession. More of a history and English person, she was forced to search for other career options while at college at Belmont University.
Wanting to combine her liberal arts tendencies with a love for working with people, she decided to become a teacher. After graduating with a degree in history and secondary education, however, she had trouble finding a teaching job in her field in Warren County. When offered a K-8 job in Grundy County, she jumped on the opportunity, imagining teaching eighth grade U.S. history.
“But they put me in third grade. I was clueless, I knew nothing about teaching younger kids. Desks were the only thing in my classroom. No books, no materials. It was an interesting year,” she said.
After that year, she returned to Warren County where she taught English at the junior high and the senior high. Laid off when the school system ran out of money, she filled a maternity leave and worked briefly at a bookstore before being offered a Title I reading position at Irving College Elementary.
Teaching in this position for nine years, Walker found the elementary level to be where she was most happy, though she did want a classroom of her own. She got this when a fifth- and sixth-grade teaching job opened at Irving College.
Eight years ago, ready for a change, she was excited to be chosen to be part of the faculty of Bobby Ray, where she could help decide in what direction the new school would go.
She said she soon fell in love with the school, though she was scared at first.
“They assigned me to the fourth grade, which meant I had to teach math, the first time I had to do so since my first year teaching. I was scared to death, but I leaned a lot from it. As a result, I am more sympathetic to kids who are not good at math. I understand why,” she said.
When not in the classroom, Walker can often be found at her second job, working for her aunt and uncle in the office of Hillis Nursery. In her free time she enjoys walking, reading, crochet and travel. She also likes to spend time with her family, including husband, Jay, and son, Drew.