Don Walker

Background

About Don Walker

I have over 28 years experience in the classroom. Currently, my certifications include composite science 4-8 & 8-12, generalist 4-8, ESL generalist 4-8, physical education EC-12, health EC-12, and Google Educator Certification Level 1 & 2. I am a published researcher who prides myself on my love for science and education whether in the field, lab, or classroom. My teaching career began in Milledgeville, Georgia as an assistant program director in a local housing project. The program provided academic support, social experiences, and character development for elementary aged at-risk youth from the housing projects. Later, I held teaching posts at Georgia College in the departments of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Computer Based Information Systems, while also teaching science courses at Georgia Military College and the Georgia Department of Corrections. Currently, I am the Team Lead for Environmental Systems and teaching courses in Environmental Systems, Earth Systems, and Astronomy at Plano East Senior High school in Plano, Texas. It is my vast and diverse teaching posts that have afforded me the opportunity to experience and work with a multitude of learning styles and environments. As a result of these experiences, I employ a method of developing impactful and meaningful relationships with the learners in order to facilitate critical and higher order thinking skills through project based learning. The effect that this type of pedagogy has had on my students’ progress and self-confidence is immeasurable. My belief in relationship building and mental health awareness combined with my strong interpersonal skills and work ethic allows me to adapt and flourish as an educator in any situation by helping others around me recognize and develop their strengths.