After working as teacher’s aide for 12 years she returned to
school to get her bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate
Morgan Hill – When Donna Walton starts the school year with a new class of third graders, her goal is that they all come together as a family, usually within several months of the start of school.

“I really enjoy when the class comes together as a whole, as a family, when they learn to care about each other and to care about me,” she said. “That usually happens around October, and it’s a special feeling, as a teacher, when it does.”

Walton will be honored Feb. 3 by the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce during its annual “Salute Morgan Hill” awards dinner as Educator of the Year.

Being a teacher is “so joyous,” Walton said.

“It’s so wonderful to be around the kids, they have such a love of life,” she said. “Yes, this can be a difficult job, the hours of paperwork and the meetings. But kids know how to enjoy life, they learn every day. I love to watch them grow and experience new things. And the best perks of teaching are the hugs and smiles I get every day.”

The inspiration to complete her bachelor’s degree and get her teaching certification came from former El Toro Elementary School Principal Doris Cross, who lost her battle with cancer several years ago.

“I had worked as an aide at several schools, Burnett, the old Morgan Hill School, Nordstrom and then at El Toro, and basically, Doris told me to ‘just do it,’ to go to school full-time and get my degree,” she said. “I still had to pick up some classes to get my B.A., and then go that fifth year for my credential. It was a big commitment, but I’m glad that Doris helped me to see that’s what I needed to do.”

Walton taught for a while in the Mount Pleasant District, which she said opened her eyes to the challenges that some students face.

“I’ll never forget this one little girl who told me her mom couldn’t come to her conference,” she said. “She told me her mom was working. Her mom was a prostitute.”

Walton came back to MHUSD after three years. She has been involved with education for 27 years, taught second grade for 12 years and now teaches third grade. She is in her tenth year teaching at Nordstrom.

The district chose Walton to participate on textbook selection committees and selected by leadership to pilot new textbooks, taking on master teacher and mentoring assignments for new teachers, and for a number of years, serving as a grade level liaison.

As a teacher, Walton also was active in many different district committees, including School Site Council, the District Advisory Committee (DACIE) and the music task force. As a parent, she was also active in the district, serving as School Site Council president and an officer in the Burnett Elementary Home and School Club. She is an actively involved parent in Martin Murphy Middle and Live Oak High band activities.

Walton’s commitment to the community as well as education is evident in her activities outside the classroom. She is a member of the American Association of University Women, the Poppy Jasper Singers, a participant in the annual Relay for Life fundraiser for the American Cancer Society and a team captain for five years; a Sunday school teacher at Advent Lutheran Church, as well as a member of the church’s Social Action Committee and choir.

Walton has taught Kicks for Kids, been a 4-H leader, dog training assistant and a Cub Scout den leader, served on the Founder’s Day Dinner committee and as a member of the Grange and the Morgan Hill Historical Society Auxiliary.

Marilyn Dubil covers education and law enforcement for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106 ext. 202 or at md****@mo*************.com.

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