Vintage High’s Walton earns Teacher of the Year honors

Walton’s students love the environment. “She’s not the average teacher — she’s unique,” said Krystle Balintec, 17, one of Walton’s students. “Her enthusiasm and personality make it easier to learn.”

Her colleagues respect her. “She’s so passionate about teaching, I can’t imagine her doing anything else,” said instructional aide Char Reed.

Today, the Napa County Office of Education joins the voices praising Walton. At a ceremony today at 5 p.m., she will be named the county’s Teacher of the Year.

Teacher of the year candidates can be nominated by students, parents or other teachers. Once they are nominated, they must formally apply for the honor.  This year, 40 teachers were nominated, and 14 applied. The application process lasts about a month, and it is rigorous. Teachers must submit essays, make a video and allow judges to observe them at work in the classroom.

Walton, 45, who has been teaching at Vintage since 2001, knows her classroom well. A 1979 graduate of Vintage, she took the same printing and graphic arts class she teaches today — in the very same classroom.

“I love it — it’s full circle,” Walton said as she pointed to where she sat when she was a student. “Now, I am making the class as I want it to be.”

Before coming to Vintage, Walton worked many years in the graphics industry as a production printer and manager. Because the work was physically taxing, she jumped at the opportunity to become a teacher. She believes the career switch is the best decision she has made.

“I’ve never been so successful in my life,” Walton said.

Walton recently completed her teaching credential at UC Berkeley and will soon earn her bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Sonoma State University. Her next goal is to earn a degree in vocational education.

Walton’s teaching philosophy includes building friendly relationships with students and teaching practical skills they will be able to use no matter what path they take.

“She doesn’t just teach graphics, but she teaches all of the … skills that you need in the real world … like being on time and how to talk to an employer or customer, her students are really work ready,” said Barbara Nemko, county superintendent of schools.

As for her interactions with students, Walton said,  “I don’t act authoritative, I treat (my students) like friends — they all think they are my best friend, and they are.”

Walton even gives her cell phone number to students, and encourages them to call her should they need clothes, food or bail out of jail, she said.

“I will do whatever I can to help them — I truly care,” Walton said.

So far, about a dozen students have taken Walton up on the offer for a helping hand.

Walton has also helped students to attain high-paying jobs in the printing industry, and keeps positive relationships with former students.

“I don’t aspire to be anything else outside of the classroom — that’s where I make the biggest difference,” she said.