Former Westside principal remembered as ‘visionary and supporter of public education’

Posted 4/7/16

Former Westside Elementary School principal Brent Walker, 68, died of natural causes Sunday at his home in Powell.

Walker retired from Westside in 2014, and then taught education classes at Northwest College as an adjunct faculty …

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Former Westside principal remembered as ‘visionary and supporter of public education’

Posted

Funeral Saturday at Westside Elementary

A longtime Powell principal will be remembered Saturday at the school he served for 30 years.

Former Westside Elementary School principal Brent Walker, 68, died of natural causes Sunday at his home in Powell.

Walker retired from Westside in 2014, and then taught education classes at Northwest College as an adjunct faculty member.

“Mr. Brent Walker leaves a long legacy of education leadership,” said Kevin Mitchell, superintendent of Park County School District No. 1. “The school was certainly his second home and his support for students and staff was very evident. He was a visionary and supporter of public education.”

The Powell school board recognized Walker in 2014 for his years of service, and Walker told the board then he loved working at Westside.

“I’ve loved the job, every day. I’ve enjoyed going to work — you see the fine people I get to work with and be a part of their family,” Walker said in 2014. “Plus all of the kids. That’s just brought me a lot of joy every day.”

Mitchell described Walker as a caring and considerate colleague and mentor to area educators.

“Brent’s positive influence for students reached far beyond Powell during his illustrious career,” Mitchell said. “His leadership has touched generations of Powell area families.”

Early Monday morning, Westside staff gathered to discuss how they would share the sad news with students and support them, said Angela Woyak, Westside principal.

“Then we just stood around and shared great memories,” she said.

In each classroom, kids and staff took as much time as they needed to, sharing fond memories and celebrating Walker’s life, Woyak said.

“He touched many hearts,” she said.

Additional counseling has been available for Westside students and employees, and the school psychologist helped staff with how to answer students’ questions, Woyak said. They also helped affirm students’ feelings of grief and sadness. Some students made cards or other little projects as they remembered and celebrated their former principal.

It’s been fairly somber at Westside, but everything has gone smoothly, Woyak said Tuesday.

She said she’s grateful for all the work Walker did for Westside.

“Brent dedicated his life to assembling the very best educators at Westside and giving kids the absolute best learning opportunities,” Woyak said.

She said Walker left incredibly big shoes to fill and that his love for everyone at Westside was evident.

“I think Westside Elementary was his legacy,” Woyak said.

Mitchell said the school district community offers its sincerest condolences to Walker’s family.

Funeral services will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday at Westside Elementary School, with a reception immediately following at the school. Viewings will be held Friday from 4-7 p.m. at Thompson Funeral Home and one hour prior to services at the school.

A full obituary will be printed next week.

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