Resilient educator Andrea Walters overcomes traumatic brain injury
July 15, 2021
In the blink of an eye, life can change.
While running to the finish line to witness the end of a cross-country race in which her students were competing in October 2018, Andrea Walters suffered a hard fall.
Though the elementary school Principal didn’t hit her head, she jolted it significantly, resulting in a concussion and traumatic brain injury.
Experiencing leg paralysis, auditory hallucinations and seizures, Walters could no longer drive, cook or adequately care for her two teenaged children.
“I still remember being stuck on a sidewalk for 30 minutes on a cold evening in November 2018,” she said. “The brain wasn’t registering to my legs.”
Off work for almost two-and-a-half years, Walters felt like she lost everything.
“I lost my school as the Principal and was told I probably would never be a Principal again or work in school, my source of income, the ability to drive and my sense of independence,” she pointed out. “My marriage of 20 years was dissolved. But what I didn’t lose was my faith that better days were ahead.”
Walters was right.
With the benefit of physical and trauma therapy, stubborn determination, abundant blessings and strong support from a close network of family and friends, she has bounced back.
Walters has been assigned her own school – Sir Samuel Steele Public in Whitby – for the new school term in September.
“I must admit to having some anxiety about going back since it is almost three years since I have been a principal,” she said. “But I truly believe that God hasn’t brought me this far to fail. I might not be up to date with all the changes in policies and procedures, but my commitment to staff and students hasn’t change and is unwavering.
“After being off for so long and missing what I define as my life, it’s given me a greater appreciation for everything. I will never take working for granted. I have another chance to make a difference in the lives of children. We never know when circumstance such as a fluke accident can occur, so we need to make every day count.”
In May, the Durham Black Educators Network (DBEN) honoured Walters for her resilience and commitment to educational excellence at its ninth annual Activating Student Success Awards ceremony held virtually.
The Educator Award, she said, is special.
“For most of my 25 years in education, I have transferred my achievements and accomplishments to others and minimized my contribution,” said Walters. “Despite the accolades, there was always a small piece of self-doubt, wondering if what I was doing was enough. But the award and my recent health journey made me realize that there’s an appreciation and love that goes far beyond what I ever imagined. It’s reinforced that only I can write my narrative and it’s up to me to shape it into what I choose. It’s also means shaping your mind and not letting negative self-talk consume you.”
Margaret Lazarus, a Durham District School Board (DDSB) Superintendent and the 2020 Educator Award winner, made the presentation to Walters.
“Andrea’s commitment to the well-being of all students is second to none and her dedication to her school community is inspiring,” she said. “She is the only principal that I know who is committed to hosting Parent Engagement events monthly in her schools to ensure that the partnership between home and school makes a difference for all students.”
Several other educators share those sentiments.
“She’s one of the best principals I have ever worked with in my 30 years at DDSB,” said psychometrist Esther Somogyi. “Her dedication and leadership is one of a kind.’
Paul Khajuria, who served as Vice-Principal under Walters at Bellwood Public School, said Walters leads with her heart and is loved and respected by the community.
“Andrea makes time for everyone and everyone she interacts with feels listened to and understood,” he added. “She treats all students as if they are her own children. Kids just love her. I have never seen a Principal being hugged so often as Andrea.”
Helping her father write correspondence letters made Walters, in her adolescent years, feel like an elementary school teacher.
She was born in Toronto to Jamaican immigrants.
“Although my dad didn’t have formal education, I always saw him as a very educated man, “Walters noted. “Over the years, it helped me to see that there’s a genius in everyone. It looks different for each person, but everyone is capable of succeeding with the right teacher.”
When administrators, teachers and guidance counsellors ignored her cries for help to cope with social and emotional struggles that impacted her learning in junior high school, she knew what her career would be.
“After getting through those tough times, I knew I wanted to make a difference in the lives of students, particularly those underserved, marginalized or surviving trauma,” said Walters.
Completing high school at Albert Campbell Collegiate Institute and a Sociology degree at York University, she taught English in Japan for a few years before returning to York to pursue her teacher’s certification.
After nearly 15 years with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), Walters transferred to DDSB.
“I wanted to be closer to home and also make a difference in the lives of Black students, their parents and the community,” the Administrator’s Black Caucus of Ontario mentor said. “There were very few Black educators in Durham. Back then, Whitby had a Caucasian-heavy population. The community and all of Durham have changed significantly. Likewise, hiring at all levels of DDSB has changed considerably in the last few years and has become more reflective of the growing diverse student population. The Executive team has really made it a priority to not only diversify staff, but also to focus on anti-Black racism.”
As the only Black administrator in Whitby after switching school boards, Walters felt isolated.
“I desperately missed TDSB where there were many people that looked like me and understood the culture,” the two-time nominee for Outstanding Principal said. “I was also shocked by the overt racism that was occurring. There were students openly saying the ‘N’ word and parents sharing racist jokes with their children. It was just very lonely and disheartening.”
Introduced to the DBEN boosted her morale.
Established in 2005 by a collective of Black educators in response to disparities in educational outcomes, the organization seeks to optimize the educational experiences of students, families and educators from the Black Diaspora.
“It was uplifting and so good for my soul to be among my own – people who shared similar struggles and experiences and simply understood,” said Walters who taught the Principal’s Qualification Course at York University for several years. “It became an organization that provided solace.”
The former DBEN Vice-Chair was instrumental in the growth and success of the ‘And Still We Rise’ student leadership conference for elementary students. She has also been part of the Afrocentric Perspectives in the Classroom, The Compendium of Action for Black Student Success and the DDSB’s Accommodating Creed in Schools guide writing teams.
Blessed to have many strong women in her life that she considers role models, Walters’ mother – Giletta Walters – stands out as a beacon of strength and faith.
“She taught me to never give up and keep fighting for what you want,” the 1987 Canadian Caribbean pageant winner said. “I am thankful for that lesson.”
In her spare time, Walters teaches yoga, volunteers at a food bank and enjoys spending time with family and friends.
