OUR SCHOOL
Walker Memorial Academy (WMA) is a Kindergarten through 12th Grade Seventh-day Adventist school located in Avon Park, Florida.
WMA serves the Highlands County area and strives to provide the highest quality education and opportunities for its students.
VISION
Walker Memorial Academy is a Christian educational institution that uses innovative and engaging academic practices founded on Biblical principles to teach students through a safe and nurturing environment that prepares them to serve God and service to others.
MISSION
Walk and talk like Jesus, now and through eternity.
The mission of Walker Memorial Academy is to educate the whole student within a Christian context; emphasizing the spiritual, mental, social and physical development. Our Christian ministry exists to cultivate our students in nurturing their personal relationship with Jesus Christ, in generating a passion for academic excellence, in fostering positive social skills, and glorifying God through a life of service, and in creating a desire for healthy living and physical well-being.
Principal's Message
Walker Memorial Academy (WMA), established in 1947, provides Seventh-day Adventist Christian education to the Highlands County community. The school focuses on the holistic development of students, fostering their spiritual, academic growth, and service to others. While WMA is fundamentally Christian, students are not required to follow any specific religion; the goal is to introduce and encourage them to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.
Over its 75 years, WMA graduates have attended prestigious universities and graduate schools, thanks to a curriculum developed by the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, used in over 1,000 schools.
WMA also promotes a community where respect and dignity are valued, following the example of Jesus. Choosing an educational community for your child is an important decision, and WMA offers a Christ-centered education that prioritizes core values of putting others first.
​
Sincerely,
Michael R. Berglund
Principal
STAFF DIRECTORY
ADMINISTRATION
Michael Berglund
Principal
Danilo Goris
Vice Principal
Grant Iverson
School Board Chair
Resa Hofmann
Registar
Diana Rodriguez
Treasurer
Karinda Maquera
Administrative Assistant
Tom Amos
School Finance Chair
ELEMENTARY FACULTY
Vanessa Tipton
Kindergarten
Liliana Sanchez
First Grade
Coral Perez
Second Grade
Surama Perez
Third Grade
Melanie Paschal
Fourth Grade
Caryl-Marie Barron
Fifth Grade
MIDDLE FACULTY
Widen Aquilera
Sixth Grade
Homeroom Math
Ruth Camps
Seventh Grade
Homeroom Science
Hope Ramson
Eight Grade
Homeroom
Language Arts
SECONDARY FACULTY
John Pauls
Math
Stephanie Gonzalez
English
Shane Robbins
Science
Samuel Paschal III
Religion
School Chaplain
John Osborn
Social Science
DLA Facilitator
Roy Bournissen
Music
K - 12 SPECIALTY FACULTY
Sharlene Naar
Physical Education
Jessica Asenjo
Innovation
Nicole Neugebauer
Music
SUPPORT STAFF
Nangely Oyola
Teacher Aid
Anyeline Varona
Teacher Assistant
Noris Gabaldon
Teacher Aid
Joe Ray Dumanon
Scholarship Program
John Falcon
IT Director
Geneva Rowe
Receptionist
Denny Nelson
Robotics Coach
Josie Cleghorn
Home and School Parent Network
Neta Harris
Custodian
Roger Butler
Custodian
All WMA classroom educators are qualified in accordance with the Florida Department of Education standards by having one or more of the following: A minimum of a bachelor's degree, 3 years minimum classroom experience, and/or special expertise related to their subject matter.