Educator | Sumner Academy of Arts and Science, Class of 1994

Empowering young adults to be productive members of society post high school is not what she does, it’s who she is. Jamila Walton is a proud product of the Kansas City Kansas Public Schools, a 1994 graduate of The Sumner Academy of Arts & Sciences. She is more than a high school counselor, she is a lifelong learner, a dream actualizer, and an education advocate.

Most recently earning an Educational Specialist in Education Administration from Arkansas State University in 2023, she practiced what she instills in her students, “if you want it, you can achieve it.” Having earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood Development (1998) and a Master's Degree in School Counseling (2000) from Emporia State University, she is celebrating her 25th year in education.

Among her most memorable educational moments are the smiles she shares with seniors on graduation night.  Its at that time she reflects on the conversations they have had, encouraging words she has shared, and the plans they have made to continue being successful in the future. Students then realize that her fussing, strict deadlines, and yes even some tears were definitely worth it. It's in that that moment of reality when both she and the students celebrate making a dream come true.

When the workday is over, and on weekends, and even some holidays- she can be found advocating for the rights of students and educators in classrooms and school sites as an active member of the teacher’s union. Her work in the National Education Association spans 4 decades, 3 states and numerous elected and appointed positions. Today she is the proud co-chair of the Racial Justice in Leadership Committee for the Kansas National Education Association in Topeka and Chair of the Women's Issues Committee for the National Education Association in Washington, DC. She has presented at local, state and national conferences and including the Kansas Department of Education.  She believes in great public schools for all students by making sure every student and educator succeeds.

It is said that a person spends time on what they value, the amount of time that Jamila has dedicated to her personal pursuit of knowledge, preparing students for their future and advocating for all in the education profession account for where she spends the majority of her time and are a testament to what she values.