“Those teachers who are students of their own impact, are the teachers who are the
most influential in raising students’ achievement.” - John Hattie
most influential in raising students’ achievement.” - John Hattie
WHO AM I?
My name is James Walker, and I am a servant leader for children and families in St. Paul Public Schools. I was born and raised in Flint, Michigan and resided there until I was a senior in high school (1990). I was blessed with a basketball scholarship in 1990 to Dodge City Community College, KS and then on to the University of Central Florida. I have been leading in St. Paul Public Schools for over 20 years, and over this journey I have gained a plethora of experiences in multiple educational settings, at a variety of levels. I possess a K-6 teaching license, a Masters of Education, a K-12 Principal's License, and a world of training and professional development.
During the 2017-2018 school year, I served as a Juvenile Justice Navigator in the Office of College and Career Readiness, supporting the transition of justice-involved youth. In the Fall of 2018, I join the team at Maxfield Elementary School as the Assistant Principal. I am overjoyed to be able to contribute to optimal achievement for all students, staff, and families at Maxfield, and I can't wait to continue the work this Fall.
My name is James Walker, and I am a servant leader for children and families in St. Paul Public Schools. I was born and raised in Flint, Michigan and resided there until I was a senior in high school (1990). I was blessed with a basketball scholarship in 1990 to Dodge City Community College, KS and then on to the University of Central Florida. I have been leading in St. Paul Public Schools for over 20 years, and over this journey I have gained a plethora of experiences in multiple educational settings, at a variety of levels. I possess a K-6 teaching license, a Masters of Education, a K-12 Principal's License, and a world of training and professional development.
During the 2017-2018 school year, I served as a Juvenile Justice Navigator in the Office of College and Career Readiness, supporting the transition of justice-involved youth. In the Fall of 2018, I join the team at Maxfield Elementary School as the Assistant Principal. I am overjoyed to be able to contribute to optimal achievement for all students, staff, and families at Maxfield, and I can't wait to continue the work this Fall.
Established in 1997
I was introduced to St. Paul Public Schools in 1997 by Dr. Delores Henderson, and was expeditiously groomed as a Teacher's Assistant at J.J. Hill Montessori School. The following year, I worked as a Title I Homeless Program Advocate, where I learned about the reality and impact of homelessness in St. Paul Public Schools. Destined to dig deeper, in 1999 I was graced with the opportunity to teach on a limited teaching license at Sanford Middle School in Minneapolis, where I taught 6th-8th grade students in the school's Level 3 EBD setting. Talk about being thrown into the fire... sheesh! After this eventful, but successful year, I left the school feeling thankful that we were able to spend more time in the general education setting than prior years, 10 out of 13 students improved academically, and all students were making remarkable improvement on their IEP goals. But I also left somewhat disappointed, wondering how in the world could there be an 8th grade, black male student in my classroom, reading at a 2nd grade instructional level? How did this happen? Did I do my best to help him improve? What can I do to help prevent this?
CUE 10
Wanting to do something about it, I applied and was accepted into the Collaborative Urban Educator Program at the University of St. Thomas, where I earned a 1st - 6th grade teaching license. The following year I taught 4th grade, and then 5th grade Highwood Hills Elementary School. After credible threats of teacher cuts, I began looking for other ways to lead in St. Paul Public Schools, and I did. Some of my roles over the years include (but wasn't limited to), Extended Day Learning Coordinator through Community Education, Cultural Specialist, Intervention Specialist, PBIS Coach and Coordinator, Special Projects Coordinator, Administrative Intern, and Juvenile Justice Re-entry Education Program out of the Office of College and Career Readiness. Needless to say, I have been through it all, and I have loved every minute of it. Well almost every minute (smile)... at times the work when done right, is taxing.
WHAT IS MY PHILOSOPHY?
My philosophy is that ALL students should be provided an EQUITABLE educational experience. An educational experience that is administered COLLECTIVELY and CONSISTENTLY by educators who BELIEVE that ALL CHILDREN CAN LEARN regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, home or first language, religion, or ANYTHING that may make them feel excluded.
WHO IS "BIG E"?
Well... my nickname is "BIG E", and not because I am 6'4", 290lbs either. The nickname came after a basketball game when I was in 6th or 7th grade, I'm 46 years old now, so I'm too old to remember (smile). I hit a shot to win a 3 on 3 game, and the neighbors bragged about how BIG the shot was. My middle name is Eric and they were already calling me "E" at the time, so... long story short... they began calling me "BIG E" for the rest of that summer and it stuck! Today... "BIG E" stands for "Be Intentionally Great Everyday". I strive to do that and I encourage you to do the same.
CUE 10
Wanting to do something about it, I applied and was accepted into the Collaborative Urban Educator Program at the University of St. Thomas, where I earned a 1st - 6th grade teaching license. The following year I taught 4th grade, and then 5th grade Highwood Hills Elementary School. After credible threats of teacher cuts, I began looking for other ways to lead in St. Paul Public Schools, and I did. Some of my roles over the years include (but wasn't limited to), Extended Day Learning Coordinator through Community Education, Cultural Specialist, Intervention Specialist, PBIS Coach and Coordinator, Special Projects Coordinator, Administrative Intern, and Juvenile Justice Re-entry Education Program out of the Office of College and Career Readiness. Needless to say, I have been through it all, and I have loved every minute of it. Well almost every minute (smile)... at times the work when done right, is taxing.
WHAT IS MY PHILOSOPHY?
My philosophy is that ALL students should be provided an EQUITABLE educational experience. An educational experience that is administered COLLECTIVELY and CONSISTENTLY by educators who BELIEVE that ALL CHILDREN CAN LEARN regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, home or first language, religion, or ANYTHING that may make them feel excluded.
WHO IS "BIG E"?
Well... my nickname is "BIG E", and not because I am 6'4", 290lbs either. The nickname came after a basketball game when I was in 6th or 7th grade, I'm 46 years old now, so I'm too old to remember (smile). I hit a shot to win a 3 on 3 game, and the neighbors bragged about how BIG the shot was. My middle name is Eric and they were already calling me "E" at the time, so... long story short... they began calling me "BIG E" for the rest of that summer and it stuck! Today... "BIG E" stands for "Be Intentionally Great Everyday". I strive to do that and I encourage you to do the same.