An Atmore native and veteran teacher of more than 40 years was inducted into the Alabama Independent Schools’ Association Hall of Fame Wednesday.

Escambia Academy third grade teacher Martha Walker said the announcement made Thursday morning was one of the biggest surprises of her life.

“This is the biggest honor I’ve ever received,” Walker said in front of an auditorium full of family members, elementary students and fellow teachers.

The hall of fame honors outstanding coaches, teachers and administrators from AISA member schools. Walker is only the second inductee that was nominated from Escambia Academy, said headmaster Betty Warren. The first was Judy Brown.

“She’s excellent,” Warren said.

Warren traveled to Montgomery Wednesday to speak to the selection committee on Walker’s behalf before the group voted. She said she got five minutes.

“Everything I said in there was the truth,” Warren said.

Martha Walker is married to EA assistant headmaster David Walker, who attended the brief ceremony with their daughter Laura Mixon, of Spanish Fort. Their other children include: Brian Walker, of Atlanta, Jonathan Walker, of Auburn.

Martha Walker graduated from Escambia County High School in 1966 and three years later from what is now known as Troy University.

She began her career at Cottage Street Elementary School in Enterprise before moving to Bainbridge, Ga. She then taught at EA from 1973 to 1984. After a stint at Morgan Academy, she began teaching at South Montgomery County Academy in Grady.
She taught at Greenville Academy, Morgan Academy and Clarke Prep School from 1999 to 2009 before returning to EA in 2009.