Dr. Walter Polka

Biography

Dr. Walter Polka has held numerous professional positions throughout his 45 years as an educator. His positions include: high school social studies teacher and advisor for various clubs and organizations as well as an interscholastic coach at Lewiston-Porter High School; Williamsville Central School District social studies/science curriculum coordinator K-12; assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction and superintendent of schools of the Lewiston-Porter School District.

Since 1970, Dr. Polka has also served as an adjunct professor at various institutions of higher education including Brockport State College, Buffalo State College, Medaille College, Niagara County Community College, Niagara University, SUNY Buffalo and Loyola University in Maryland. Dr. Polka’s full-time university professional responsibilities also included associate professor of educational leadership; doctoral dissertation chair; and doctoral program coordinator in educational leadership at Georgia Southern University. He is currently the leadership and policy doctoral program coordinator and full tenured professor in the professional programs department at Niagara University.

Focus of Teaching

Dr. Polka continues to pursue his professional goals of improving his own teaching skills, modeling his creative strategies and continuing his advocacy for constructivist teaching and learning at all levels of the instructional spectrum. During his tenure-track experience at Niagara University (January, 2008-present) he has taught a total 46 graduate courses including 15 different courses including three advanced doctoral studies courses. Student evaluations of his teaching historically fall between the Very Good and Superior levels as illustrated in student course evaluations.

In addition, Dr. Polka has presented clinics, workshops, and speeches at various state, regional, national, and international conferences of numerous professional organizations including the American Association of School Administrators, American Educational Research Association, Association of Teacher Educators, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, International Conference on Technology and Education, International Society for Educational Planning, National Council for the Social Studies, National Council of Professors of Educational Administration, National School Boards Association, National Staff Development Council and other educational associations and agencies. The topics of those presentations included administration, curriculum improvement and implementation, diversity issues, school law evolution and staff development recommendations. He has presented his research in 40 states and 24 countries.

Current Research

Current research relates to educational leadership and policy, specifically in the following areas: superintendent decision making and problem solving; curriculum and instructional improvement; school law evolution; professional development concepts and diversity issues.

Current Involvement

• National Commission on Teacher Self-efficacy
• Association of Teacher Educators (ATE.)
• Co-Chair of the ATE Summer Conference in Washington, D.C., August, 2013
• President, International Phi Delta Kappa, Buffalo-Niagara Chapter 0047, 2008-2013
• Member, International Society for Educational Planning (ISEP); Conference Chair, 2013 (Niagara Falls, NY.)

Educational Background

• Post – 1989-98 Harvard University, Educational Programs
• Doctorate 1993 Florida State University, Educational Administration
• Ed.D. 1977 State University of New York at Buffalo, Curriculum Planning
• S.E.A. 1974 Niagara University, Educational Administration
• M.S. 1971 Niagara University, Educational Foundations
• M.A. 1970 Niagara University, History
• B.A. 1968 State University of New York at Buffalo, History