Jennifer Perry Middleton/Jefferson Jimplecute
Michael Walker, who will begin his 23rd year in education in the fall, will serve in the newly-created position of assistant superintendent at Jefferson Independent School District.
Walker was approved for the position during a special board meeting in June, when trustees also hired Jerry Brannen to serve in Walker’s previous position as principal of Jefferson High School.
Walker is a native of Avinger, and a 1995 graduate of Avinger High School. He earned a bachelor of science, double major in biology and kinesiology from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1999 and a master of educational administration from Texas A&M University-Texarkana in 2007. That year, he also earned his principal certification and later earned a superintendent certification in 2012.
During his career, he served a one-year internship for his alternative certification as a teacher/coach at McLeod ISD, as a teacher/coach at Ore City ISD for seven years, and seven years at Hughes Springs ISD. In addition, he served as junior high/high school assistant principal for five years and high school principal for two years.
He and his wife have four children, three sons and a daughter. Their oldest son and his wife are expecting their first child, an event which the Walkers are very excited about, as they enjoy spending time with their family.
He also enjoys hunting, fishing and gardening in his spare time.
Walker said there have been several individuals who have impacted his life and made him into the man he is today, with the strongest being his parents, who provided him with a good moral compass, strong values and instilled in him the importance of service.
“I am part of a family of educators,” he said. “My mother is a retired school counselor. My Dad is a retired teacher/coach. I have a brother who is a professor and his wife is a primary school principal. My daughter-in-law is a teacher. My wife is a JH associate principal. I have always been service and team oriented, and enjoy helping others. I believe in and understand the importance of education.”
Walker said he has enjoyed his time as Jefferson High School principal and that he is proud of the progress they have made over the past seven years.
“Jefferson High School has great students and a talented caring staff,” he said. “While there are aspects of the principal position I am sure I will miss, I am excited for the challenges of the new position.”
JISD Superintendent Rob Barnwell said the assistant superintendent position was created because the administrative workloads have increased and they must deal with additional paperwork, federal and state guidelines, along with extra duties required due to COVID.
“Therefore, my ability to be flexible, visible, and helpful to others, in general, has been greatly diminished due to all of that,” Barnwell said. “Plus, we are looking into more facility upgrades this year, and all those things take away time/attention from other necessary things, especially regarding issues that require attention to detail. Therefore, that’s why that position is needed—to help with the sharing of duties.”
He added that as superintendent, he will ultimately be responsible for everything. The sharing of duties is still being worked out, but he expects Walker to oversee transportation, maintenance, student discipline, events management, recruiting, food service, the guardian program and extracurricular activities.
Walker said his goal is to continue to do what is in the best interest of the students.
“That is what it is all about. I want to ensure all students in our care are safe and provided education and opportunities so that they can own their futures,” he said. “The school system and the school community is dynamic and complex. Rules, regulations, targets, and expectations at the local, state, and federal levels are ever changing. In this new capacity I will be working with our team and the greater community to ensure we are operating efficiently and aligned to reach common goals and outcomes. Ultimately we want to maximize the education of our students.”
He also said that since the onset of COVID, educators at JISD have worked diligently to provide students with the best education possible under the circumstances.
“Recently, the U.S. Congress has provided financial support for districts through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER),” he said. “Our administrative team is currently planning how to best utilize these monies to address the learning gap and other needs created by COVID.”
For the upcoming year, Walker said he has high expectations for the district’s continued academic and athletic success and he’s looking forward to all that both the students and administration accomplish in the 2021-22 school year.
“I am proud to be a Bulldog!”