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When one door closes, another door opens, and as Lisa Clark’s door closes on a 34-year career in education, a door opens for Brenda Walton as she prepares to take over as the principal of F.W. Kling Elementary School.
Walton joins the Buena Vista Public School community with the hopes of creating a learning environment that will enable students to reach their utmost potential.
Superintendent Tony Francis introduced Walton as the new principal at the last Thursday’s School Board meeting and gave a brief summary of her 25-year career in education.
A native of Stuarts Draft, Walton taught middle school algebra for nine years in the Augusta County school district where she received most of her teaching experience. In 2003, she graduated with a master’s degree in administration and supervision from the University of Virginia.
Putting her degree to use, Walton began working as an administrator in 2005. Her first administrative role was an assistant principal for an elementary school and middle school, and she eventually became the principal at Stewart Middle School in Verona.
Walton worked towards earning her doctoral degree in organizational leadership from Shenandoah University while also managing her full-time career. In 2016, she accepted a position with Greene County Public Schools as the director of teaching and learning and division director or testing. Shortly after accepting the job, in 2020, Walton moved to serve as principal at William Monroe Middle School.
This past March, Walton accepted the job at Kling. “Though Dr. Walton enjoyed her work with middle school students, she sought an opportunity to again direct her focus on elementary instruction to provide the academic foundation needed for each and every student,” Francis told the Board.
While transitioning into this position, Walton has established a number of goals she hopes to fulfill in her time at Kling. Her main priority as principal will be to cultivate a safe environment where students are able to thrive.
“My goal is to ensure a safe learning environment, which allows every child to reach his or her fullest potential; academically, socially, and emotionally,” Walton told The News-Gazette. “This goal is accomplished through the collaborative efforts among the faculty, staff, and families of our students.”
