White Lake math teacher gets top award for 2011

Christopher Walker, a White Lake Middle School math teacher, has been selected as the 2011 Oakland County Outstanding Middle School Teacher of the Year by the Oakland Schools Education Foundation.

“The nomination was a surprise and a great honor,” Walker said.

Walker, a Howell resident, began his teaching career at White Lake Middle School in 1988. He is the current math department head and also helps lead middle school teachers in the development of curriculum. For the last three years, he has led the accreditation team in developing math goals.

“I guess this also a payback for all the missed lunches and holding study groups after school — it’s nice to be rewarded for some of that,” Walker said.

He was selected from a pool of 16 middle school nominees. All candidates were evaluated in six categories including the ability to engage and meet the individual needs of students, demonstrated knowledge of the subject area and classroom management, the relationship to parents and colleagues, and demonstrated citizenship and leadership in schools.

The award honors teachers who have achieved, through their effort and example, the highest standards of excellence in their profession. Oakland County teachers are nominated for their outstanding contributions to the classroom. One teacher is selected from each category. Each district submits one finalist from each of the three education levels — elementary, middle and high school — for consideration at the county level.

Walker will be honored, along with the elementary and high school winners, and the remaining 48 nominees at an event at Oakland Schools on May 5 where the three winners will each receive a check for $2,000.