White Lake Middle School Teacher From Hartland Awarded Top Honor

math teacher, Christopher Walker, was named as the 2011 Oakland County Outstanding Middle School Teacher of the Year earlier today.

Walker, of Hartland Township, has been teaching at WLMS since 1998. He was among more  than a dozen other middle school teachers who were nominated for the honor, according to a press release. It indicated that a voting committee made up of both educational and community representatives chose Walker.

"Chris is a true team player, a phenomenal teacher and one of the few who always goes out of his way for staff, parents and students,” said fellow teacher, Hillary Farney, according to the release.

The nominees were judged on their ability to engage students, demonstrate how much they knew about the subjects they taught and their rapport with parents and peers. The teachers also had to demonstrate the ways they are a leader in the community and get letters of support from colleagues, parents and students.

According to the release, one student said: “Mr. Walker has made my experience with math a whole lot easier and stress free.” The student added that Walker deserved the honor because of his "dedication and effort.” 

Walker will be recognized for this achievement on May 5, along with the elementary and high school winners (who will be announced later in the week).  Walker and the others will each receive $2,000, thanks to a parternship from the Health Alliance Plan (HAP).