ROCKPORT — At its June 8 meeting, the School Administrative District 28 (Camden-Rockport K-8) Board of Directors unanimously approved hiring Chris Walker-Spencer to be the next principal for Camden Rockport Elementary School, effective July 1.

The long-time visual and media technology teacher at Camden Hills Regional High School, Walker-Spencer has 19 years of teaching experience. He began his career in education at Captain Elementary School in Clayton, Missouri, teaching third grade with a focus on empowering students to take responsibility for their learning through inquiry and shared decision-making.

He has been hired with a one-year contract of $95,700.

"I loved teaching third grade and I'm excited to return to the elementary level, where I began my career in education,” he said, in a news release. “I know Camden Rockport Elementary School has a tremendous group of professionals working there. Both of my girls had great experiences at CRES and I look forward to learning with the staff and deepening the relationships we developed over time. I have so much pride in the values we share as a broader community with our consistently strong commitment to providing powerful learning opportunities for all students. I'm eager to work with the CRES administration, staff, students and parents to tackle critical educational issues and to move the community forward, together." 

Walker-Spencer graduated from Camden-Rockport High School in 1992 and earned his bachelor’s degree in economics and elementary education from Principia College in 1997. He received his master’s degree in computer education from Fontbonne College in 2000 and is currently finishing his certificate of advanced studies in educational leadership at the University of Maine.

Upon returning to Camden in 2000, Walker-Spencer spent a year as the Rockland District High School computer teacher before joining the staff at Camden Hills Regional High School in 2001 as the business instructor.

Collaborating with the West Bay Rotary Club Vocational committee in 2003, Walker-Spencer earned national semi-finalist recognition from NASDAQ and the National Council on Economics Education for innovation in the CHRHS entrepreneurship course.

He transitioned from business teacher to visual and media technology instructor at Camden Hills in 2004, teaming with stakeholders to research, and develop hands-on, project-based technology courses over the next decade including graphic design, Photoshop, and computer programming.

The high school has already begun its search for the next teacher of that department.

In 2009, Walker-Spencer earned National Board certification in career and technical education — arts and communication. He also earned adjunct professor status at Syracuse University in 2011. Numerous students have earned Syracuse University credit taking College Web Design and Management at CHRHS.

The digital filmmaking program at CHRHS recently celebrated its 10th annual film festival Mr. Walker-Spencer developed in collaboration with retired local filmmaker Jack Churchill in 2007. Numerous CHRHS Digital Filmmaking alumni have gone on to begin successful careers in the film industry.

A college level tennis player, Walker-Spencer is a certified tennis teaching professional through the Professional Tennis Registry. He has shared his passion for tennis with students from age four to adult over the past 25 years. He served as CHRHS Varsity Boys Tennis coach for eleven years with multiple regional titles, a state championship in 2005 and the team sportsmanship award in 2013.

Mr. Walker-Spencer lives in Rockport with his wife, Sharon, and their two daughters.