All about Ms. Walker . . .
I am so excited to embark on my 25th year of teaching! There is so much to learn and to share with our children. I know all students will succeed with a commitment from all.
I grew up as a daughter from a military family. We traveled the world constantly changing schools and communities. My experieces allowed me to develop an appreciation and interest in different types of cultures and backgrounds. I sincerely appreciate and value where each of us have been in life. Our stories and experiences are all so unique and make us so interesting; we have much to learn from each other.
As I changed schools every two to three years, I began to notice many of my peers struggling in school due to the constant movement and instability of a military-styled education. I witnessed friends feeling lost when faced with assignments that were too difficult or lacking skills to tackle lessons presented. I knew then that I wanted to help children learn especially children who struggled. I know we can all learn at different paces and in different styles, but only with a commitment in determining what skills are needed to be remediated or even taught!
I began my studies at Emporia State Univeristy, formely known as Kansas Teachers College. I received my five year degree in Regular Education and Special Education with an emphasis in Mentally Challenged. A few years later, I finished my thesis and graduate course work at UNLV where I earned a Masters as a Reading Specialist with an emphasis on Learning Disabilities. I received my next degree from Kansas State University with a Masters in English as a Secondary Language. I continue to take classes to increase my knowledge and to keep it current. My most resent course work was in the area of Orton-Gillingham and Dsylexia.
I began my teaching in Special Education for the Mentally Challenged where many of my students were diagnosed with Down Syndrome. As I restructured my classroom over the next few years, my students also included Behaviorially Challenged and Learning Disabled. After eight years of teaching students special education needs in grades 1st - 8th, I decided to focus on the regular classroom. What a wonderful opportunity to use my skills in differentiation of special education students on all students. My regular classroom experience included 1st and 2nd grade where I could use my beginning reading knowledge on developing readers.
For the past seven years, I have left the classroom to focus on the area of reading. For three years, I served as a Reading Coach in a Dual Language Elementary School (Spanish/English). I trained teachers on best practices in the area of reading and writing. Coaching allowed me to see the big picture of a unified school district and the committment of a team effort! Currently, I work as a Intervention Specialist for English Landing Elementary (K-5). This position affords me the best of both worlds because I continue to work with teachers, but provide direct services to students as well.
On a personal note...
I love the Jayhawks!
I have a 16 year old son at Parkhill. Go Trojans!
Please contact me should you ever have any questions!
Kim Walker
I grew up as a daughter from a military family. We traveled the world constantly changing schools and communities. My experieces allowed me to develop an appreciation and interest in different types of cultures and backgrounds. I sincerely appreciate and value where each of us have been in life. Our stories and experiences are all so unique and make us so interesting; we have much to learn from each other.
As I changed schools every two to three years, I began to notice many of my peers struggling in school due to the constant movement and instability of a military-styled education. I witnessed friends feeling lost when faced with assignments that were too difficult or lacking skills to tackle lessons presented. I knew then that I wanted to help children learn especially children who struggled. I know we can all learn at different paces and in different styles, but only with a commitment in determining what skills are needed to be remediated or even taught!
I began my studies at Emporia State Univeristy, formely known as Kansas Teachers College. I received my five year degree in Regular Education and Special Education with an emphasis in Mentally Challenged. A few years later, I finished my thesis and graduate course work at UNLV where I earned a Masters as a Reading Specialist with an emphasis on Learning Disabilities. I received my next degree from Kansas State University with a Masters in English as a Secondary Language. I continue to take classes to increase my knowledge and to keep it current. My most resent course work was in the area of Orton-Gillingham and Dsylexia.
I began my teaching in Special Education for the Mentally Challenged where many of my students were diagnosed with Down Syndrome. As I restructured my classroom over the next few years, my students also included Behaviorially Challenged and Learning Disabled. After eight years of teaching students special education needs in grades 1st - 8th, I decided to focus on the regular classroom. What a wonderful opportunity to use my skills in differentiation of special education students on all students. My regular classroom experience included 1st and 2nd grade where I could use my beginning reading knowledge on developing readers.
For the past seven years, I have left the classroom to focus on the area of reading. For three years, I served as a Reading Coach in a Dual Language Elementary School (Spanish/English). I trained teachers on best practices in the area of reading and writing. Coaching allowed me to see the big picture of a unified school district and the committment of a team effort! Currently, I work as a Intervention Specialist for English Landing Elementary (K-5). This position affords me the best of both worlds because I continue to work with teachers, but provide direct services to students as well.
On a personal note...
I love the Jayhawks!
I have a 16 year old son at Parkhill. Go Trojans!
Please contact me should you ever have any questions!
Kim Walker