Achievers: Lena Walker
ByStaff Reports
Read the full article at NewsOK.com >
Lena Walker, an eighth-grade algebra teacher at KIPP Reach College Preparatory, has won the Harriett Ball Excellence in Teaching Award. Walker is one of 11 chosen from more than 5,000 eligible teachers nationwide for the award presented Aug. 2 in Las Vegas. She will receive $10,000 in recognition of her exemplary work in the classroom.
The award is given annually to educators from the KIPP network of college-preparatory public charter schools in 20 states and the District of Columbia.
A 25-year veteran of Oklahoma public schools, Lena Walker has led KIPP Reach’s math instruction for 12 years. Last year, 70 percent of her eighth-grade students scored advanced on the state Algebra I exam, a high school-level test, and the state Department of Education named the math department the top-performing middle school math department for two years running.