Q&A with Dennis Willingham, Superintendent of Walker County Schools

Dennis Willingham has been serving local students as an educator for decades. After touring the educational circuit in several capacities, Dennis came to the central office in July 2013. He was named interim Walker County Schools Superintendent in December 2021 and was officially appointed Superintendent in February 2022.

We recently asked him a few questions about his educational philosophy, challenges, and goals for each student whom he serves.

78: Dennis, you have longstanding service in the field of education. Can you walk us through your career and professional background?

DW: I began my career as a special needs aide and special education teacher. I worked with all grade levels and students with emotional issues and learning disabilities. Then I was a social sciences teacher, grades 7-12, at Sumiton and T.W. Martin. I coached basketball, baseball, softball, football, and volleyball.

I served as Assistant Principal at Curry Elementary, Curry Middle School, and Dora High School. I was also Principal at Oakman Elementary and Oakman Middle School. Then I moved to the Central Office, where I became the Elementary Schools Director, Assistant Superintendent, and finally, Superintendent.

78: There are a lot of moving parts to a highly functional county school system. What are some of the priorities on your list that will help the school system to improve in the coming years?

DW: I served on a team that developed a strategic plan for the Walker County school system in 2019. This plan involved stakeholders from all our school communities. It is a five-year plan, so I am affectionately calling it “Vision 24.” We are focusing on our students from their foundational learning all the way to college and career readiness. We want to provide solid academics, social emotional learning, and safety for all our students.

78: Obviously, you could not do this job by yourself, and you've got an incredible staff working alongside you at the Board of Education office. Take us inside and describe what it's like to work with your colleagues.

DW: When I became superintendent, I did not hire another Central Office Supervisor in my position. My duties and responsibilities were spread out among some of the other supervisors. Therefore, all our Central Office staff work extremely hard. They provide me with information and serve on administrative teams so that we can provide the best resources and learning opportunities for our students. We are here to serve and support.

78: Although COVID presented its own unique challenges in 2020, the show must go on, as they say. What are some student achievements that stood out to you last year?

DW: Teaching and learning continued, even with the difficulty of living through a pandemic. Our students won national and state awards in academics, career tech, robotics, clubs, and athletics. Pride runs deep in our schools and that was reaffirmed more than ever last year.

78: Leadership is essential to the success of any organization. You've been a principal before, and you understand what it takes to lead in this capacity. That said, what are some of the qualities that stand out to you and the principals who serve students across this county?

DW: Servant leadership. That's the expectation from the top down in the Walker County School System. At the Central Office, we are here to serve and support. Our school administrators serve and support their faculty and staff, students, and school communities. Sprinkle love and kindness in there and you've got a good solid foundation for success.

78: When you think about the many students whom you serve, what is your hope for them as they move through the county system and into higher education and later, adulthood?

DW: We want our students to succeed in life. For some, this means college, and for others, this means business and industry. Not only that, but we want them to be productive citizens who are good mothers and fathers. Making Walker County better begins in our schools. Teachers have the best job in the world. We want to provide opportunities for students to be happy, healthy, and successful in all aspects of life. 78