School district names top educators in Lee County during pandemic

The School District of Lee County recognized two of its educators as the top assistant principal and top principal in the District for how they have both led and responded to their schools and the community during the pandemic.

“Anybody at this time could be in dire situations,” said Forrest Walker Jr., an assistant principal at Dunbar High School. “There is a necessity to be encouraging and positive during this time.”

Walker and Principal Rob Cooper of Bonita Springs Elementary School are both now Lee County’s assistant principal and principal of the year respectively.

“We have to find the positive pieces in everything that happens, and some may say, ‘Oh, this is a setback,’’ Cooper said. “There is still something positive in that to learn upon and grow upon.”

These two educators have rallied teachers and students to succeed in the face of crisis. They know a lot of their families have lost their jobs and struggle to put food on the table.

“My job does not stop in this school,” Walker said. “My job continues when I leave those doors and doing things in the community. Sometimes I hear of students on the weekends. I’m calling. Making sure that they are OK.”

Both men refused to accept the award for themselves. They said they couldn’t do it alone.

“We work together to help our kids reach our highest potential,” Cooper said. “No one person can do this job. You have to do it collaboratively. Without that, we are failing our kids in my opinion.”