Rochester Schools' Walsh Gets Fellowship Nod

ROCHESTER, MI — Rochester Community Schools assistant director of special education for elementary has been selected to join the Saginaw Valley State University Gerstacker Fellowship Program in 2018.

As part of the initiative, Walsh, along with 12 other teachers, principals, and program administrators from across Michigan, will receive concentrated leadership training over a one-year period. The experience concludes with a capstone international trip to China in June.

“As a Gerstacker Fellow, Laura will continue to develop a broad base of experience that would exponentially expand her already impressive ability to creatively solve problems and implement meaningful change,” said Superintendent Robert Shaner, who was inducted into the program in 2010.

Walsh’s tenure at Rochester Schools includes work as an elementary learning consultant, academic interventionist, and teacher for students with special needs. She also performed targeted research in the development of Cultures of Thinking and Learning for students and staff, which includes presenting at Harvard’s Project Zero Conference as well as local conferences.

Walsh earned an Educational Specialist degree in Leadership from Oakland University, a Master of Education degree in Special Education Administration from Grand Valley State University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education from Western Michigan University.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to continue to learn and grow as an educator and leader through the Gerstacker Fellowship. It is a privilege, and I look forward to the journey ahead,” said Walsh.

The Gerstacker Fellowship Program was established in 2005 with a $1.5 million endowment by the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation. Its purpose is twofold: to provide a leadership development program for a select group of premier teachers and administrators each year, and create a new cadre of educational leaders throughout the State of Michigan who will increase the quality of K-12 education in their communities.

Walsh is the second administrator from the Rochester Community School District to attend the Gerstacker program. West Middle School Assistant Principal Lisa Fosnaugh was inducted into the program in 2015.

Photo courtesy of Rochester Public Schools