Episode 219: Leading with Intention and Heart: A Conversation with Terita Walker (NASSP HS POY Finalist)

Darrin Peppard (00:01.12)

Hey everybody, welcome back into the Leaning Into Leadership podcast. This is episode 219. Today's episode is the fourth in our six-part special series in partnership with NASSP, where I sit down with the finalist for the National Principal of the Year award. My guest today on the show is Terita Walker, the dynamic principal of Denver East High School in Colorado and a finalist for the NASSP National High School Principal of the Year.

Under Tarita's leadership, East has become a model for inclusivity, academic excellence, and student empowerment. With intentional leadership and a deep commitment to equity, she has built a culture rooted in trust, relationships, and authentic student voice. From monthly coffee chats with parents to staff, engaging with over 90 student affinity groups, Tarita's presence and passion are felt in every corner of her school.

In our conversation, she shares reflections from her 18 years at East, how she prioritizes her time to learn from her students and why she's leaning into deeper engagement with her staff in the coming year. Get ready for a powerful, authentic and inspiring conversation. Let's get right to it with Tarita Walker.

Darrin Peppard (00:00)

All right, everybody, welcome back into the Leaning Into Leadership podcast. This is the fourth installment in a six part series in conjunction with NASSP, where I'm sitting down with each of the finalists for the National Principal of the Year, both middle school and high school. And today's episode, we are talking with Tareeda Walker, who is one of the finalists for National High School Principal of the Year.

Tarita is the principal at Denver East High School in Denver, Colorado, and she has transformed East High School into a model of inclusivity, academic excellence, and student empowerment. Through intentional leadership and a deep commitment to equity, she has fostered a culture where students and staff thrive. Recognizing that a strong school culture is built on trust and relationships, she prioritizes district.

direct engagement with students, staff, parents, and community. She hosts monthly coffee chats for parents and staff. Engages regularly with the school's more than 90 affinity groups and co-hosts events with the East Angel Foundation. Torita credits the school's success to the incredible students, dedicated leadership team, committed staff, supported parents, engaged alumni, district partners, and the greater

East Community. Man, that is a lot right there. Tarita Walker, welcome into the Leaning Into Leadership podcast.

Terita Walker (01:31)

Thank you so much. Thanks for having me. Yes, it's a lot of fun, I would say. There's so much, so much to do every day.

Darrin Peppard (01:37)

Yeah, you and I were talking about this before we hit the

record button. There's just so much to be said about being a high school principal and the difference between just the pace at which you walk as a high school principal compared to any other any other walk of life is absolutely amazing. And there's a ton of great stuff in here. Here's what I'd like to do to kind of open this up. Two pieces. One, congratulations on being

not only the Colorado High School Principal of the Year, but also a National Finalist for NASSP's High School Principal of the Year. But also to give you an opportunity to, I I said a whole bunch there, I basically read your bio from NASSP, but I'm curious, maybe, I don't know, fill in some of the missing puzzle pieces that are there that our listeners might want to hear and to learn a little bit more about you.

Terita Walker (02:11)

Thank you.

Yes, well, thank you first and foremost. I appreciate that the time and the space that you are allowing for educators to be able to share about what we're doing and the way that we lean into leadership because it really is ⁓ a part of.

the work that really requires you to be considerate and thoughtful of more than just yourself, right? And so there is a part of the work that I think, you when you list off the people that should be credited for this award, it's not just a trite statement that says, you know, everybody and we wanna thank the community. It genuinely is. ⁓

this village that creates the opportunity for our school and school community to be successful. ⁓ Everybody from the restaurants on the street just away from the school to the members of our facilities team. ⁓

to every single teacher that's in this building and our parents who commit a ton of time and we all have this vested interest and then that is the success of our students, the well-roundedness of our students and ⁓ the happiness that we want to experience when we are here. So I am grateful for this time and opportunity for sure. ⁓ I think for me, ⁓ there's a quote from ⁓ Michelle Obama's becoming

⁓ TV show and she says I'm just a girl from the south side of Chicago and that's all you need to know about me. So you know I definitely wouldn't say that that's all you need to know but there's so many things from my beginnings in Chicago Public Schools to my experiences now in Denver Public Schools. I really feel like every single thing that I've been able to do in life that I credit to the amazing work of my parents.

and the village and the family that I had around me through my family, every single thing has been a part of what I've been able to put into my life as a school leader. And so a little bit of my time as an elementary and middle school student where I got to watch my principal who was... ⁓

recognized by President Bill Clinton as one of the 50 educational stars and to watch her kind of navigate what that means and what that looks like as an educator in the 80s and the 90s. And my high school principal who was at our school for 25 years, who served our school community for 25 years.

with it being one of the most amazing high schools, and I'm not just saying that because I went there, it was an awesome school in the middle of downtown Chicago. so people really create this space and opportunity for you to see what it is you want to be. there's the physical manifestation of your dreams that just is right there for you. And so I credit many people ⁓ for the opportunity that I have right now to leave.

my school building in this community.

Darrin Peppard (05:51)

You bring up something there that I find really fascinating and also that I've seen as a common trait, I'll say, or maybe a common thread in really successful leaders, not just school leaders, but we're talking about school leadership right now, so we'll stay on that. But so many really successful leaders are very intentional about who they surround themselves with.

And not just for the reasons that we typically hear. Things like, you know, put people around you who aren't just like you or who don't have the same strengths as you. That's very important. But I'm thinking about the population of your school. And I'm curious, you've been at your school for a long time. And you certainly impressed me as somebody who is very intentional as a leader. What I'm wondering is have you been very intentional?

to put the people on the bus, so to speak, that will allow your students to see potential success, to see themselves in others much like you did.

Terita Walker (07:06)

Absolutely. It is ⁓ I think that's why we look to create as many opportunities for every student who has a different interest to be able to find their place in their space. We have over 90 different groups and organizations at our school and encourage students to continue to build more. And so our sponsors of those groups and organizations are not yet teachers who are already already tired. Some of them are though. Right. We have community

community

members who lead some of our groups and organizations in our schools. ⁓ We connect to several outside agencies that bring in the things that as we do a needs assessment for our school community, we recognize we need to have in our space. So we build deep connections for our students to be able to have an experience with people who actually live and have lived experiences in the things that they are either interested in or that their experience and for them.

themselves. And so I think you do have to provide those opportunities for students. I know at 14 or 15, I didn't actually know how to look for it. ⁓ And so our students now, I would say, do a much better job than I think I did. And maybe some of my classmates, they do a great job at advocating for themselves and making things happen for them. ⁓ But I do think that we have some people who know how to create activists. And then we also want

to bring in people who also know how to create organizers. And so there's one thing to say the thing and want to do something, but do you really know how to do it? Do you know how to make it happen? And so the people who have been a part of this community, definitely as of late, they truly do. ⁓ They make sure that students understand what that means and what that looks like. And so now our students are some of the greatest advocates in our state, across our nation, for the things that they want and they feel like they need.

Darrin Peppard (09:07)

So I'm curious. You've been at your school for 18 years. Let's jump in the way back machine 18 years ago and maybe think about what are some of the things as you reflect, let's be honest, reflection is one of the most powerful things. What are some things when you look back over 18 years at Denver East High School that

Terita Walker (09:14)

Yes.

Absolutely.

Darrin Peppard (09:37)

that have evolved within the school, some things that you have either led or been a part of the change. What are some of the things you're most proud of over that stretch of time?

Terita Walker (09:49)

Man.

I will say if we get back in that machine, I want to just cover my eyes because there were some moments where I think back and I'm like, man, she was awful. ⁓ But then I also recognize that you have to fail forward. I did have some moments where I'm just like, they did not teach me this in teacher and principal school. So how was I supposed to know how bad this was going to be? But I learned from it. I appreciate the learning experience that is also a part of my

Darrin Peppard (09:57)

Ha

Yeah.

Terita Walker (10:21)

but ⁓ you know the the student voice here is so strong and I remember talking to a parent back what way back when ⁓ when I was a counselor here at East at the school counselor here and it was a kid that kept asking his mom like why why not

And in my head, was like, man, I would have gotten popped in the mouth a couple of times, because you don't ask adults why or why not. And at first, as the mom was kind of wrapping up, was like, man, whatever happened to the good old fashioned? Because I say so as the answer from a grown person. And it's interesting because another colleague heard me say that. And we had a really good conversation, I think, about ⁓

the reason why, because I said so, just not the right response anymore, at least. that wasn't, I would never tell my aunties and my mom that, even to this day as a 40-something year old. we had a conversation about how important it is for us to engage students in critical thinking and being free thinkers and learning from the things that they experience and that they choose. And so oftentimes,

people who feel like things are happening to them. And so I encourage students and over the years, I've really encouraged students to not allow things to happen to them, but to make sure that they happen for them. And so a part of that has to be them using their voice, using the things that they know. And in order to do that, you have to continue to learn. You have to evolve. You have to be a part of and have your foot in the things that are happening in the world. And so I just think that the kids

are, man, I've learned so much from them every single day. And I'm grateful ⁓ for the opportunity to learn beyond how to work my phone, because I still can't figure that ⁓ out. they teach me a number of things. I can't say enough how the student voice here allows our adults to continue to be forever learners. ⁓ And so we all just engage in the learning.

experience together and then I think that's what this is about. That's what makes a strong school and school community is that we know we can learn something from each other every single day.

Darrin Peppard (12:45)

Which which really brings a couple questions to my mind and I've got to make a quick decision on which way I want to go on this one because they're both really good. I think I want to stay on this one. So you mentioned really learning from your students on a regular basis now when you're the principal of a large high school even a medium-sized high school so many many principles so so right now to read I want you to like speak to those early career principles

Terita Walker (13:01)

Mm-hmm.

Darrin Peppard (13:14)

because a lot of them are listening right now and they're thinking, that sounds wonderful, but honey, I don't have time for that. I am busy doing this, this, this, this, this, this, this, right? I am busy being a firefighter. I am busy running from crisis to crisis. am all of those things that I would lay odds. You experienced in year one, year two, I experienced them in year one, year two as the building principle. How do you make time to go learn from your students?

Terita Walker (13:45)

Yeah, it's funny you ask about this. ⁓ But it is back to the intentionality space that you mentioned earlier on. think becoming confident in the things that you do ⁓ is something that I think first and second year principals really have to embrace. Because there will be a million people who will tell you how to do it, how they did it, how you should try. But what that looks like for you is going to be very different.

for every single person that does this job. And so the people who came before me did a great job. And what a great job looks like for me is going to be different. ⁓ And so.

I've really enjoyed being able to find space and be intentional about putting myself in the spaces where students are. And oftentimes I recognize that people don't always understand what the role of a principal actually is. Like everybody wants you to kind of still be the disciplinarian. And I'm like, yeah, the principal's office is not necessarily like where you come to get in trouble. I got people for that. there's somebody else who's going to, who's going to suspend you, okay? It's not going to be me. Yes, they do.

Darrin Peppard (14:44)

Right. Yes. Yeah, no.

Exactly. Yeah, people don't get that though, do they? Yeah, they don't get that. Yeah.

Terita Walker (14:57)

⁓ So, you know, I think ⁓ one of the things I really try to do and it is exhausting I will tell you that but it also ⁓ I recognize how purposeful you have to be and people other people will recognize it and I don't care about the recognition of them saying it I care about what they what they feel from it and it is ⁓ hopefully that they feel like ⁓ I care and that they can trust that my interest is in even if things are great and

How do we make it better? ⁓

And if they aren't, then how do we work together to find the best solution to solve for any problem? And so, you know, I frequent a lot of our school events and I put it on my calendar as a must do. So, you know, I go to the baseball games and a kid brought me a bucket of peanuts and said, Miss Walker, we'd love to see you there. And so I tell the kids, I don't know what I don't know. So if you want me to be in the space because it matters to you, because it definitely matters to me, then

then let's do it. And they will send me a note and I'll get an email. of my favorite times of the year is boy swimming because I have a swimmer ⁓ who sends me a message and says, man, it sure would be nice to see you out there ⁓ in the sands, Ms. Walker. And I know what that means. That means get your butt out to this one meet because you haven't made it there yet. And so I get a chance to really see and learn who our kids are outside of the classroom. ⁓ Because you walk around and you go and visit classrooms. ⁓

Darrin Peppard (16:17)

Yeah.

Terita Walker (16:29)

see the kids in instructional spaces as well. But when you get to travel to Washington DC with our students to see them compete in national competitions, man, you've got to know the personality of kids who study for nine hours ⁓ to prepare for a national competition. ⁓ Or our speech and debate kids who.

work for hours to just get the timing right on the thing that makes the difference between a win and a loss. But it's no different than our flag football team who was a part of the inaugural team where you've got to feel like you have to make a difference so that people see how important that program is. so the sports events are just as important as me going to see the plays that our students write in our theater program because I think they're Broadway ready.

me. And

Darrin Peppard (17:22)

Yeah.

Terita Walker (17:23)

so it really, I mean, I really do as much as I can. And I have a daughter who's 15 and she goes here and she's been a part of so many of these things because she was born into this school. And so she knows now what to kind of dip her foot into because she's seen it since the age of three or four. ⁓ So it's quite the experience because you see so much, you learn so much. ⁓

But you really get a chance to really understand the heart of your school and your school community because you watch people do the things they love.

Darrin Peppard (17:58)

Shout out to anybody who has had their own child as a student in their building when they've been the principal. I was my daughter's high school principal as well. And it's it's so interesting you say that I have to ask this question. So my daughter, I started at the high school where I ultimately was the principal, I was an assistant principal when she was six. And of course, I ended, you know, was her high school principal, she was in those hallways all the time.

Terita Walker (18:05)

Yes. Shout out to them. ⁓

Mmm.

Darrin Peppard (18:28)

competitive

dancer she danced on that floor from the time she was six years old first time as a freshman in the hallway when she came around the corner first day of school and we saw each other to read it we didn't know how to act I mean we looked at each other like what do we do did you guys run into that or was it just like nah we got this

Terita Walker (18:41)

Hahaha!

Well, you know, we did know what to expect because ironically, the two principals before me, their kids went here too. So I'm like, man, I wonder if it's going to be the same. And people are like, you're never going to see her. It's going to be fine. Man, I can't get rid of that girl. She is everywhere. She is in my office and mom, I need and mom, can you? But it was tough. ⁓ But she was so nervous because she didn't know what to expect. So she, of course, asked me, well, mom, the people that don't like you,

Darrin Peppard (19:08)

Yeah.

Terita Walker (19:17)

Do you think they're not going to like me too? I said, first of all, there is very few people on that list. ⁓ But she's navigated ⁓ being able to be a part of the school community so well. And it is a testament to our amazing staff. She gets a couple of the like, I remember you when you were this tall.

Darrin Peppard (19:20)

Ha

Terita Walker (19:37)

Yeah, she doesn't love that because she's still not that tall. But she does love the experience that she has here. And people have said she doesn't want to be known as the principal's kid, even though don't get her confused. She will definitely use the, my mom is the principal card when she can, when she is coming in later, when she needs a pass. So don't let her fool you. She will use it to her advantage. But we have an absolutely wonderful time here, a wonderful time.

Darrin Peppard (20:05)

Yeah,

I love that so much. That was, I think that was one of my favorite experiences of being the principal. mean, at times, yeah, it was a little bit awkward, you know, here and there, but certainly loved, loved having my daughter in the building. That was, that was a lot of fun. So I'm curious. ⁓ Let's, let's, let's shift gears just a little bit. Our time is flying and there's other things I want to get to. I know that not too far down the road.

Terita Walker (20:21)

Mm-hmm.

Okay.

Darrin Peppard (20:34)

The three of you, finalists for the National High School Principal of Year and the three finalists for middle school will be in Seattle at the Unified Conference and you get a whopping 10 minutes to make a presentation. And this is one of my favorite questions I've been asking on the podcast. And I will say that I think Tony Katani

Terita Walker (20:40)

Mm-hmm.

Darrin Peppard (20:59)

escaped this question because this one did not dawn on me until after I had interviewed him and maybe maybe Damon Lewis missed out on this one too but the rest of you I'm just so curious I can't introduce myself in under 10 minutes you're a high school principal there's no way you can either so without telling us you know what you're gonna do and I don't want to you know give your your your competition a leg up because they know what to read is bring into the table but

Terita Walker (21:07)

Okay.

Darrin Peppard (21:29)

What do you think and you're going to talk about in 10 minutes to tell the story of East High School.

Terita Walker (21:37)

You know, the setup for this already presented a challenge because I think it was Meadow who said, you you guys are so used to talking about everybody else, ⁓ you know, but this time we really need you to just talk about you. And I was like, man.

How can I be sneaky enough to talk about everybody else still and make it seem like I'm just talking about me? Because that is so hard, right? So I don't, think, ⁓ you know, I am grateful for the life I've been able to live. It has had ⁓ some challenges and it has also had some amazing bright spots. And so I think my goal is to really talk about, ⁓ to talk about how

Darrin Peppard (22:01)

There you go, right?

Terita Walker (22:22)

Like each part of my journey has created the space that I sit in now as a school leader and now as a finalist for this award. And so as you said, that's going to be real tough in 10 minutes. So I'm going to combine a bunch of things and see if I can make it work. But yeah, I think the fastest version of what it looks like in the life of Tarita in 45 years, man, I'm going try to figure that out. We'll see.

That's all I'm giving you. I can't give you too much more.

Darrin Peppard (22:51)

It is no... No, that's fine. ⁓ Yeah, well, that's all

right. Yeah. You know, plus you still got a few weeks put this thing together. So I totally get that. That will be ⁓ quite the challenge. Hats off to the NASSP crew on coming up with that particular challenge. I think it's...

Terita Walker (23:01)

Yeah, yeah.

Yes.

Yeah.

Yeah, there might be a little singing

in there. I might have to do a little dance, some dance moves or something. We'll see.

Darrin Peppard (23:17)

There you go. A little song and dance. Nothing wrong with that. Nothing wrong with

that at all. So let me ask you this. You've touched on this and I have a feeling where you're gonna go. I wanna ask one more question before I get to the last question I ask here on the podcast. If you were to have somebody just stop you on the street.

somebody stops you at you at the United conference, somebody runs into you at some other education conference and says, tell me, tell me about East High School from the eyes of a student. What would you tell them about East High School through the eyes of a student?

Terita Walker (24:06)

I think,

If I use the students language, the kids always say, miss, this school is lit. But know half of us don't actually know what that means. ⁓ But I think from the eyes of a student, ⁓ they would say that it ⁓ is opportunity. ⁓ East is a place where you get to experience what it looks like. ⁓

to truly understand what diversity actually means. ⁓ Because our students get a chance to see people who do and don't look like them. They get a chance to see people and interact with people who have the same upbringing as them or not. ⁓ They get a chance to experience teachers ⁓ from different countries, ⁓ students from abroad who come ⁓

and are a part of our school experience because of the program that we have. I think students will say it's a place where they can really just be themselves. ⁓ There is something for everybody, ⁓ and even if there isn't, we encourage them to invent it or create it themselves ⁓ so that they can find a way to find... ⁓

the most success that they possibly can have at East. And the support will be there for them when they take the steps to do or create those things. So I do think our students love and appreciate ⁓ the fact that with 2,500 kids in one place, ⁓ you can still.

feel like you are a part of the something special that makes 150 years of a school, something to be proud of, something that is synonymous for the word excellence. ⁓ It is the flagship school of Denver, ⁓ not just because it's been here for a long time, not just because kids score well on standardized tests, it's because this community embraces and comes together, the unified front that we present

⁓ in the face of anything and everything. The beauty of this school is that we all love it. And so I think the students will tell you that they love to be here. We have to kick them off the campus sometimes because they won't go home. So I really think students will tell you it's a place where they love to be.

Darrin Peppard (26:36)

Yeah.

That's outstanding. ⁓ Such great stuff. So all right, to Rita, it is time for the last question here on the podcast, that question I ask everybody here on the show. So many great things that you've already shared with us. But let's let's come up with one thing more. What is one way that you are leaning into leadership right now?

Terita Walker (26:53)

Yes.

You know, I think this year will be a year for me to really engage more deeply with.

our teachers. ⁓ We have had to be ⁓ operational gurus ⁓ post-COVID and measuring the space between desk and trying to figure out what you do and how you manage ⁓ some of the challenges that came with that. But as a school, we've had our own challenges, some with gun violence and...

some challenges with some shifting curriculum and things of that sort. And you said earlier, reflection is so important. It's such an important part of this job. the surveys they give you at the end of the year, it doesn't do enough for the voice that you need to be able to pull in from the people who love this school just as much as you do. And that's our teachers. And so this year, I think,

it really is going to be a chance for me to lean in a little bit closer to what our teachers feel like they need, what they see, ⁓ because it would be true to say I have not been a teacher.

through COVID or post COVID and in this time. And so their expertise, I need to lean into and lean on that. And we have some of the most amazing teachers in the entire world. I feel confident in making that statement because of their content knowledge, but their understanding of how important the skill based experiences are for students that they really embrace the reality of the need for those things as they

move on from from East High School. And so, you know, I'm looking forward to hearing the good and the bad of it all. I am not perfect and by no means expect for them to be either. I do expect for us all to learn together. And so with that, it will require some honest and explicit communication. ⁓ It will require us to value each other and the work that we do. And it will allow us to find the joy in the work that we do.

single day. And so it just it is me continuing forward with the mantra that we were in in 24-25 which was the joy is in the journey.

And so a part of this journey for sure is going to be for me to lean in very closely to our teachers, our staff, to truly understand how we continue to grow, continue to get better ⁓ so that we create a wonderful place ⁓ for our students and for ourselves because we are no good to others if we aren't first good to ourselves. And so I'm looking forward to the opportunity to really engage more deeply with our staff. ⁓

a lot of work to do and so I'm just excited about being able to do it together.

Darrin Peppard (30:04)

I think that's outstanding. I love that so very much. ⁓ If people want to get in touch with you, if they want to reach out, get connected with you, what's the best way for them to find you?

Terita Walker (30:14)

⁓

couple ways. you know I ⁓ one big connecting point for me and my school community is my Instagram page ⁓ East Angels underscore madam principal. ⁓ I did not make that up myself a teacher actually made that up. So shout out to Gordon Feesler from our formerly in our math department. But follow us. It is not a promise. A bunch of selfies of me. It is me with my community all of our kids and the wonderful things that happen in this school community. So follow follow me. ⁓

East High School as well because we are celebrating our 150th year anniversary as a school and 100 years in this building so a lot to come many things will happen and so we hope that you will join us to follow along in in this joyous journey because we are excited about all that has happened and all that will happen.

Darrin Peppard (31:07)

Outstanding. Well, best of luck again. Congratulations again, both for the state and for the National Finalist Award. I'll tell you what, I am so glad I don't have to be the one to choose between the three of you because wow, I don't know that I could. You guys are all absolutely amazing. ⁓ again, enjoy Seattle, enjoy the conference and best of luck. And thank you so much, Tarita, for joining me here on Leaning into Leadership.

Terita Walker (31:10)

Thank you.

Ha ha ha ha ha!

Thank you.

I shall.

Of course, thanks for having me.

Darrin Peppard (00:00.974)

All right, everybody again, thanks so much for joining me here on the Leaning Into Leadership podcast. I hope you enjoyed that conversation there with Tarita Walker. I'll tell you what, I would not want to have to be one of the people to decide who ultimately is selected as national middle school principal of the year and who is selected as national high school principal of the year. All six of these individuals, you've heard four of the six interviews, the final two come at you next week. Man.

Just some impressive, impressive leaders, amazing human beings. Congratulations again to all of them. Thank you guys so much for listening to the Leaning Into Leadership podcast. Get out there, have a road to awesome week.