White Lake Middle School Teacher Reacts to Top Honor

After being named the 2011 Oakland County Outstanding Middle School Teacher of the Year on Monday, White Lake Middle School’s, Chris Walker, claims they got the wrong person. 

“It was a great honor [to be named] considering all of the quality teachers in our district and county. I still do not feel they have the right person, as I have enjoyed my job so much. I feel many of the extra hours and missed lunches were rewarded, and the students and parents have always show great appreciation,” said Walker, a Hartland Township resident. 

Walker, a math teacher, was selected to receive this honor from a group of more than a dozen others by a committee made up of both educational and community representatives. Among the various qualities that nominees were judged on was their ability to engage students, demonstration of knowledge on the subjects they teach, their rapport with parents and peers, as well as their display of leadership.

Still, Walker remains modest about his achievement. He says that remaining motivated and excited to go to work everyday is easy because of the contagious effects that his students’ motivation and excitement have on him. He just sees himself as doing what he signed up for,

“I knew I had to do a job that was people centered, where there was variety, fun, and a lot of laughter," he said. "It is still that way for me now."

He said he considers himself lucky to work with the staff at the middle school, which he calls a "caring" and "student-centered" community. 

"Coming to work has always been easy at this school,”  he said.

Despite the pending budget crisis and the recent controversy surrounding the closing of a middle school, Walker said he remains confident in his abilities to remain dedicated to his job. 

“For me, the reward and motivation come from the relationships with kids, the community, and my colleagues," he said. "Being in an environment focused on growth, and with positive caring people makes me want to come to work each day."

Probably my biggest motivation is hearing the kids have an 'Ah ha' moment. When the students make discoveries about math, or themselves, or say how easy something is even though it may be a very complex idea, it feeds my desire to work harder,”  he said.

Walled Lake Central High School’s, Amanda McCartney, will join the honored ranks with Walker. McCartney, of Waterford, was announced today as this year’s Oakland County High School Teacher of the Year, in a press release from Oakland Schools. McCartney, who has been teaching at Walled Lake Central since 2004, selected from a pool of 19 others.

The Elementary School Teacher of the year will be announced Wednesday, and all three Teachers of the Year will be recognized on May 5th for their achievements. Each winner will receive $2,000, thanks to an Oakland County Education Foundation partnership with the Health Alliance Plan (HAP), who funds the reward.