Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Boards
Bilingual
Born
Grew Up
Mailing Address
Publications
Timeline
Generic

Michael Walker Ed.D.

Educator, Executive Coach, Learner, Leader
Nashville,TN

Summary

A seasoned educational and organizational leader with experience managing complex initiatives and projects. I am bilingual and have worked in diverse and complex organizations. Systems-focused, financially attentive, growth mindset, service-oriented, people-centric, and goal-driven.

Overview

40
40
years of professional experience
1
1
year of post-secondary education

Work History

Head of School

Harding Academy
07.2023 - 05.2024
  • Articulated the value of PreK-8th grade proposition in a highly competitive independent school market
  • Advanced ambitious strategic plan, focusing on learning, wellness, DEI, and community partnerships
  • Increased enrollment yield and diversity of student body
  • Initiated comprehensive compensation study based on recently released NBOA research
  • Completed design and entitlement process for new PreK-K building and advanced the capital campaign.
  • Shifted administrative structures to focus on shared institutional goals
  • Managed $15m operational budget.

Head of School

Compositive Primary
07.2022 - 06.2023
  • Launched an innovative inquiry-based school on the University of Colorado School of Medicine campus
  • Strategically focused on community and culture, programmatic articulation and assessment, personalized instruction marketing and admissions, and financial sustainability
  • Provided instructional leadership for faculty and staff, function as parents' resource, and liaise with the University and the broader Denver community
  • Work diligently to create an inclusive and accessible environment for students and families from diverse ethnic, socio-economic, and geographic backgrounds.

Head of School

San Francisco Day School
07.2015 - 06.2022
  • Initiated multi-year strategic plan aligning program and mission, led construction of new facility and capital campaign, and refreshed school brand and admissions process
  • Introduced faculty evaluation and professional growth system, inquiry-based curriculum, and expanded programmatic offerings
  • Advanced school’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and increased enrollment
  • Increased annual giving, stewarded significant donors, grew endowment and generated operating reserves
  • Guided successful CAIS accreditation and membership to INDEX
  • Providing leadership through Covid-19 crisis.
  • Managed $15m annual budget.

Principal (K-8)

Punahou School
06.1998 - 07.2015
  • Provided instructional leadership and guided the design process for Case Middle School and Omidyar K-1 Neighborhood, projects that advanced innovative educational models supported by LEED-certified 'platinum' and 'gold' facilities
  • Led programmatic and facility design process for grades 2nd-5th
  • Significant and successful fundraising experience
  • Provided instructional leadership in neuro-education, global education, instructional technology, social entrepreneurship, and design thinking
  • Designed and implemented faculty professional growth and evaluation system
  • Responsible for personnel management and budget of $13 million
  • Extensive interaction with all school constituencies: board, parents, faculty, administrative team, and students
  • CAIS accreditation chair and visiting team member.

Head of Middle School

The University School of Nashville
07.1993 - 06.1998
  • Provided leadership for 5th - 8th grade Middle School
  • Involved in all phases of strategic planning, design, development, and construction of a new Middle School facility
  • Worked with board committees, including Education, Personnel Policies, Technology, and Building and Grounds
  • Responsible for faculty supervision and evaluation
  • Involved in all personnel matters, including recruitment and hiring
  • Managed divisional budget
  • Provided leadership for the implementation of the 'middle school model.' Led a curriculum study resulting in the development of grade-level themes and adaptation of an interdisciplinary instructional approach
  • Increased services for students with learning needs
  • Redesigned the system for reporting student progress
  • Initiated the study and use of alternative scheduling models

Head of Middle School

Hammond School
07.1989 - 07.1993
  • Supervised curriculum study and the implementation of the 'Global Education' curriculum
  • Effectively supervised, evaluated, and hired faculty
  • Organized outdoor and environmental education programs
  • Designed the master schedule and created an advisory program
  • Assisted in the development and management of the budget
  • Successfully increased enrollment in the Middle School
  • Created the 'Eighth Grade Seminar' and conducted World Studies simulations.

Upper School Faculty

The American School Foundation
08.1984 - 06.1987
  • Effectively designed and taught courses in Political Science, Economics, US History, Comparative Religions, and the Middle East Crisis Computer Simulation
  • Organized and trained delegations for participation in the Harvard, Great Lakes, and The American School Model United Nations
  • Junior and Senior class sponsor
  • Organized and coordinated graduation ceremonies
  • Coached football, basketball, and baseball.

Education

Ed.D. - Educational Leadership

University of Hawaii
Honolulu
05.2001 -

M.Ed. - Educational Administration

University of South Carolina
05.1991

B.A. - Social Sciences English

W. Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI
06.1984

Executive Coach -

University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
06.2020 - 01.2021

Skills

  • Strategic leadership

  • Fundraising strategies

  • Staff Development

  • Diversity and Inclusion

  • Visionary Thinking

  • Written Communication

  • Project Management

  • Fiscal Management

  • Performance Evaluations

  • Program Analysis

  • Public Speaking

  • Presentation Skills

Boards

  • Financial Aid Navigators
  • INDEX
  • Common Sense Media Advisory Board

Bilingual

English/Spanish

Born

Geelong, Australia

Grew Up

Mexico City

Mailing Address

229 Stephens Valley Blvd, Nashville, TN, 37221

Publications

  • The Neurology of Decision Making: Understanding and Improving an Essential Skill Set - NAIS National Conference 2018
  • Strategic Initiatives Framed As Essential Questions: Using Inquiry to Raise Our Sights - CAIS Trustee/Heads Conference 2018
  • Strategic Decision-Making: Overcoming Common Heuristics - CAIS Trustee/Heads Conference 2017
  • The Neuroscience of Decision-Making: From Heuristics to Matrices - presented at National Association of Independent Schools, Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, and Maui Association conferences, 2013-2014
  • The Neuroscience of Decision-Making: Improving Personal and Professional Capacity - Brain Symposium, Punahou School, 2013, 2014
  • From Neuroscience to Neuro-education: Bridging the Gap From the Labs to the Classrooms - Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaii, 2012
  • Grounding Our Vision: Brain Research and Strategic Vision - Independent School Journal, Summer 2011
  • Neuro-education: Building Bridges Between Neuroscience and Education - NAIS annual conference 2011
  • Brain Research As A Foundation for Strategic Planning - NAIS annual conference 2010
  • From Junior High to Middle School - Independent School Journal, Summer 2002

Timeline

Head of School

Harding Academy
07.2023 - 05.2024

Head of School

Compositive Primary
07.2022 - 06.2023

Executive Coach -

University of California, Berkeley
06.2020 - 01.2021

Head of School

San Francisco Day School
07.2015 - 06.2022

Ed.D. - Educational Leadership

University of Hawaii
05.2001 -

Principal (K-8)

Punahou School
06.1998 - 07.2015

Head of Middle School

The University School of Nashville
07.1993 - 06.1998

Head of Middle School

Hammond School
07.1989 - 07.1993

Upper School Faculty

The American School Foundation
08.1984 - 06.1987

M.Ed. - Educational Administration

University of South Carolina

B.A. - Social Sciences English

W. Michigan University

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
Michael Walker Ed.D.Educator, Executive Coach, Learner, Leader