WALTER REESE

Walter L. Reese is an esteemed veteran educator with an illustrious career spanning over two decades. He proudly joins the Black Male Educators Alliance (BMEA) leadership team as the Senior Director of Fellowships and School Partnerships. Throughout his journey, Walter has continuously believed in the transformative power of educators as a source of encouragement and inspiration.

Walter’s leadership prowess has been demonstrated in various roles, including Student Support Coordinator, Dean of Students, Assistant Principal, and Principal in traditional public, and charter schools in cities such as Detroit, Southfield, Hamtramck, Taylor, and Plymouth. Under his guidance, one of the schools he led achieved notable recognition as one of the top three and five academic institutions in the State of Michigan. His exceptional work was further acknowledged when he became one of ten semi-finalists for the Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA) Administrator of the Year award during the 2018-19 school year.

In his early teaching years, Walter imparted knowledge in Physical Science at Inkster Public Schools and 6th-grade math at Edison Schools in Dayton, OH. He is a passionate supporter of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and proudly earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN. Additionally, he obtained a Master of Public Administration degree and Michigan School Administrator’s Certification from The University of Michigan-Flint.

Within his new role at BMEA, Walter will collaborate with school partners to equip educators with a Restorative Practices lens and empower them to utilize BMEA’s Liberating Learner’s Framework when engaging with students. His work with teacher and principal fellows will focus on providing them with essential resources, best practices, and strategies to champion social-emotional wellness within their school communities.

Drawing from his extensive experience as a teacher, school leader, culture cultivator, community partner, and board member, Walter brings a unique blend of skills to the BMEA Leadership Team. His unwavering commitment to improving school community relational capacity and enhancing academic achievement for children makes him an invaluable asset.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Walter cherishes his role as one of thirteen children born to the late Charlie and Janet E. Reese from Fort Wayne, IN. In his leisure time, he actively participates in various capacities at his church in Inkster, MI, serving as the Chairman of the Deacons. Walter finds joy in engaging in extracurricular activities with his loving family, including his wife Tamona, who is also an educator, their sons Walter Jr. and Timothy, their daughter Toriann, and their TeaCup Yorkie named Hershey. Their shared interests include supporting their children in their activities, volunteering, watching movies, bowling, golfing, exercising, reading, and traveling.