Dennis Walker (second from left) at the 2015 Farmers Insurance Thank America’s Teachers ceremony, honoring Walker and Paseo Academy art teachers Sharon Mitchell, Pamela Sahl and Paul Lucas (Hendrick Motorsports)
A native of Arkansas, Dennis Walker came to Kansas City for a job as a science teacher in the Hickman Mills school district. However, dance had always been his first love, and when the opportunity arose for him to teach dance at the Paseo Academy he seized the chance to fulfill his life dreams and passions.
After earning the Missouri Society of Health and Physical Educator’s K-12 Dance Teacher of the Year award for 1995-96, Walker was offered an opportunity that transformed his life. “I was offered the position of National Director of Special Subjects (the Arts) by the Edison corporate office based in New York City,” he said. “Wow! To have the opportunity to work with and support schools across the country with a creative instructional focus and live in New York City. I jumped at the opportunity.”
While Walker was based in New York City, he presented workshops across the country. When he returned to Kansas City he served as an instructional coach at Paseo, followed by a principalship at the reopened Lincoln College Preparatory Middle School. In 2005, Walker returned to Paseo Academy as principal. He brought back some traditions that had been lost in his absence, such as student mimes greeting visitors during open house and parent/teacher conferences.
During this time, he earned his PhD in educational leadership from the University of Missouri. He was part of a cohort spearheaded by Dr. William Covington to make sure all district principals had acquired terminal degrees in education.
After becoming Paseo’s longest-serving principal, Walker retired from Paseo in 2018. Now employed by the University of Missouri, he works in supporting principals, leadership teams and teachers in implementing various national educational grant initiatives throughout Missouri.
He may be retired, but he is still a proud member of the Paseo family.
“Since my retirement in 2018, one of my biggest joys is crossing paths with Paseo alumni and hearing about all their successes. I truly miss the students!” he states.
“On a personal level, what makes me most proud of Paseo is how retired teachers show up for their former, now grown and adult, students’ art endeavors. I have seen them show in force for former students who have special needs, and it really shows the sense of dedication and love in the Paseo Academy community. It transcends paychecks, certifications, and diplomas; it taps into the very soul of art itself.”
