Walker is new Ridpath principal

Monday, June 21, 2010
Tamra Walker

GREENCASTLE -- When Ridpath Primary School returns from break in August, it will be with a new principal, but one who is not an entirely new face.

At its June meeting, the Greencastle Community School Board voted to name Tamra Walker the new principal at Ridpath. Walker has spent the last five years as assistant principal at Tzouanakis Intermediate School.

Health issues for retiring Ridpath Principal Janice True also meant Walker spent some time at her new post at the end of the 2010 spring semester.

"For the last eight days of school last year, I was at Ridpath in the afternoon," Walker said. "Already, the team of teachers, support staff and Deer Meadow principal Gwen Morris have already proven to be gracious and accepting during this period.

"Although the circumstances were not ideal, it has been somewhat of a transition for me until board approval," she added.

Walker is beginning her eighth year with Greencastle Schools, having now worked at all five buildings of the corporation. Prior to her time at Tzouanakis, she spent a year with the split assignment of assistant principal at both Greencastle High School and Greencastle Middle School.

She was also first grade reading recovery and early intervention teacher at Deer Meadow for a year.

"Although it's a new role, I am familiar with the grade level," Walker said.

Before her time with GCSC, Walker spent five years teaching fifth grade for MSD Wayne Township Schools in Indianapolis.

Her roots in Greencastle go deeper, though. Walker attended both GMS and GHS and did her undergraduate work at DePauw. She did her masters and principal work at Indiana Wesleyan University.

Walker expressed her feelings that she was coming into a good situation at Ridpath. Her plans are to continue to good work already being done at the school.

"Ridpath is in great shape," she said. "We're going to continue our focus on literacy, and one of our goals will be to really improve student attendance overall. Although it's good, we want to move that to great. That's something the community will be hearing about."

Walker is also thankful to have had a good role model for the last five years.

"I've certainly had a good teacher in Dan TeGrotenhuis. He has modeled what it means to be a servant-leader," she said. "I just plan to continue that the best I can."

The new principal is simply ready to serve in her new capacity.

"It certainly presents the perfect opportunity to begin this journey moving up from assistant principal to principal to serve the school and community," Walker said.

She is married to Jeffrey Walker, who works for the Indiana State Police. They have a 16-month-old daughter, Camille.

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  • Congratulations Tamra!!!!!

    -- Posted by NotreDameFan01 on Mon, Jun 21, 2010, at 10:51 AM
  • good for TZ, not so good for Ridpath.

    -- Posted by Falcon9 on Mon, Jun 21, 2010, at 11:17 AM
  • I have to disagree with dandygrandy. I wish Mrs. True the very best with her health issues, but, I could not be happier to hear she is no longer the principal. I moved my children out of GCSC because of Mrs. True. Now, I can move back.

    Congrats, Tamra!

    -- Posted by purplemonkey on Mon, Jun 21, 2010, at 10:54 PM
  • Tamra will do a great job! Mrs. True was wonderful, as well, and will be missed by teachers and parents. (I can't imagine how difficult a person must be to move their kids out of a district because of Mrs. True!)

    -- Posted by Ready2Go on Tue, Jun 22, 2010, at 12:14 AM
  • Not necessarily how difficult the person, but maybe the situation. My son is ADHD and Autistic, and was "abused" by staff at Ridpath. When staff is more worried about a special needs child's behavior than they are his education, there is a problem. Mrs. True "advised" that my son would not average over a D+, yet in his new school he is on the A/B honor roll. Imagine that.

    -- Posted by purplemonkey on Wed, Jun 23, 2010, at 4:47 AM
  • Congratulations to Tamra, and best wishes to Mrs. True

    -- Posted by Stick1 on Wed, Jun 23, 2010, at 3:57 PM
  • Congratulations Mrs. Walker! Ridpath is lucky to have you and I know you will be missed at TZ.

    -- Posted by sneakers on Wed, Jun 23, 2010, at 4:47 PM
  • I also disagree with purplemonkey. If your son is doing so much better else where maybe you should leave him wherever he is now. Changing schools often isn't good for a student with ADHD or special needs. They need routine and not knowing which school he is going to be at won't help his situation. Mrs True was a wonderful principal and will be GREATLY missed

    -- Posted by Carmom832 on Wed, Jun 23, 2010, at 10:01 PM
  • Abrasive comments about topics are a serious problem on the internet. People should not be allowed to attack others by hiding behind anonymous User Names. Often, they don't know anything about the person or topic, they just get a thrill out of spreading their poison on the web. I am Sharon Wood Clark, and I am Tamra Walker's mom. I know of whom I speak. Tamra has lived her life striving to achieve standards of excellence, in education, career, and lifestyle. Beginning with childhood, she has experienced the grace, and favor of Almighty God over her entire life, and given all honor to Him, in order that others may see the benefits of placing their lives into His care. Our family is truly thankful to all who support Tamra, and proud of her accomplishments. Be blessed people.

    -- Posted by LoveAbove on Tue, Jun 29, 2010, at 3:36 PM
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