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Jameka Walker

Opus Prize Runner-Up
Executive Director of Catholic Partnership Schools, Camden, N.J.

Headshot of Jameka Walker
PHOTO: VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY/JOHN SHETRON

Jameka Walker is the executive director of , a network of five pre-K through eighth-grade schools providing educational opportunities for children of all faith backgrounds in Camden, N.J., and the surrounding areas. In the face of poverty and violence, Walker has taken it as her mission to educate the whole child by providing a safe environment where students can learn and teachers are empowered to discover the instructional methods that work best for their classrooms. The results are evident: CPS鈥 students go on to achieve a 99% high school graduation rate, and 87% go on to college..

鈥淭he term I have been using to describe her is 鈥榓 force,鈥欌 says student ambassador Ryan Maloney 鈥24 CLAS. When Ryan visited the Catholic Partnership Schools in early June 2023, he was immediately impressed by how engaged the students were鈥攁 testament to Walker鈥檚 philosophy of meeting the students where they are on their journeys. 鈥淲alker has created a culture that celebrates what students are bringing to the table,鈥 Ryan says. 鈥淭he educators at Catholic Partnership Schools are focused on nurturing God鈥檚 gifts in every child and entering every situation with compassion.鈥

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