Denise Vickers-Leon
ECB Publishing, Inc.
It is very easy and unquestionable to understand why 1st Sgt. Terry Walker was chosen as the Jefferson County School's Unsung Hero Award recipient. This is a man who actively served our country in the U.S.Army for over 26 years. He then brought that knowledge and skill set to Jefferson County K-12 School.
Born in Tallahassee, where he returned after retiring from the Army, Monticello has adopted Walker as one of its own. His magnanimous spirit, diplomatic approach to everything and his true diligence to the school and the JROTC program are testaments as to why he has more than earned the award.
When Walker accepted the position as Senior Army Instructor in 2012, there were only 10 students enrolled in the program. Within four weeks that number had increased to 65. In 2012, there were 85 members, growing to 180 in 2014. Now, 12 years later, under his leadership, one of the life skills Walker vehemently makes a priority in his teaching, there is a waiting list. Besides leadership, Walker hopes students, in and out of his class, will also learn discipline, respect and accountability.
Walker leads by example and emphasizes for his students to do the same by presenting them with real world and life issues. He believes in and practices strict discipline with plenty of praise. The latter was evident by the supply room, where uniforms were hanging so clean and crisp they looked as if they could walk off of the racks by themselves. Just as impressive is the refrigerator and snack shelf, both stocked with literally almost every drink and snack on the market. Walker accepts the challenges of his position with regimented dignity and the rewards, such as this, with humility and grace.
Once Walker has a goal in mind, he is unwavering and unrelenting until it is accomplished. Those at the top of his list generally don't change from one year to the next. At the beginning of each year he begins to seek funding for the annual three days trip he takes the cadets on and at the end of the year, his goal is to see a student graduate and go on to college, the military or into a successful business venture. For the most part, everything has been so good thus far.
1st Sgt. Terry Walker, we salute and honor you as the JCSchool Unsung Hero. We thank you and appreciate all that you do.
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