Elizabeth Walker headed to the Clarkston High School stadium and joined the array of pink and baby blue for Football for a Cure.
After a few weeks in her new role as assistant principal for the high school, she thought it would be an opportunity to meet parents and students.
What she found was warmth and a sense of community.
“It was a cool thing to do,” she said about the varsity football’s annual prescrimmage to help raise money for McLaren Breast Center in Clarkston and the Great Lakes Cancer Institute.
“I heard the students talk about it. They were so well spoken and doing something they believed in,” she added. “Every student I have talked to is involved in that culture – they are interested in improving themselves, their school and their community. It has been really amazing.”
Walker knew Clarkston was an amazing district before she was hired for the position. Living in Grand Blanc, the schools competed against each other in athletics and academics. Plus, she knew the reputation of Clarkston and the community.
“There is a lot of good things happening here,” she said. “The reputation precedes itself.”
Walker has spent 11 years in education and was a teacher leader at Lake Fenton Community Schools before becoming one of the newest Wolves at Clarkston.
“She comes to us with a lot of experience,”said Gary Kaul, principal at Clarkston High School, introducing her at the Clarkston Community Schools board of education meeting on Aug. 22.
“I talked to a Lake Fenton administrator,” he continued, “who said Lake Fenton just got worse and Clarkston High School just got better.”
Walker brings to the high school and district a vast knowledge about school improvement and about different policies from the state.
“I am excited,” said Walker. “I am bringing a lot of enthusiasm. I am really excited to work with everyone in the building and meet students and the staff as they start to trickle in.”
She always had a desire to work in administration even when she was a teacher.
“It was an inspiration of mine,” she added. “I knew I was going to do it.”
Following the desire, she went to University of Michigan and received her masters in Public Administration. Then, she became involved with a lot of leadership councils.
One of the first things she noticed about Clarkston Community Schools was the district was bigger than Lake Fenton. But no matter what the size she felt the sense of community.
“Even though Clarkston is big, it is like a family,” she smiled.
The sense made her feel at home since she is family orientated – spending time with her sisters and parents as well as traveling with her husband and three-year-old son to visit her husband’s family.
“I have been nothing but welcomed with open arms,” Walker added. “People have been so kind and wonderful. They have been lending tips.”
When she is not spending time with family, she can be found reading.
“Any student I have seen I have stopped and introduced myself,” Walker said. “I am glad to be here and glad to be part of the community. I am also looking forward to