Maurice W. Downing welcomes new principal, Erik Walter

The kindergarteners of Maurice W. Downing Primary School are starting a new school this year — and they’re not the only ones. Erik Walter, the new principal of Downing, is also a new addition to the Mules family.

“(My core philosophy is) having a children-first mentality,” Walter said in an interview with the Herald. “Always ensuring that we’re providing students with a warm, welcoming, nurturing, safe and supportive environment so that they can learn and thrive.”

“Especially at a young age,” he added, “Where my passion really lies.”

That passion first sparked when Walter himself was a young elementary student. He and his family had been going through a difficult time, but his teacher stepped up as a support system. It’s an experience he carries with him to this day.

“It had such a great impact on me,” Walter said. “I wanted to do the same for other students and other families, and just be there for them, help them learn, help them grow, celebrate the amazing accomplishments, and when they’re having a difficult time, support them as well.”

Walter, who had been serving as Downing’s interim principal since February, was appointed as permanent principal unanimously by the Malverne Board of Education. The SUNY Cortland alum has master’s degrees in childhood education and educational leadership, from Adelphi University and Touro University respectively. Before joining Malverne, he served as principal of Riverside Elementary School in Rockville Centre and Rhame Avenue Elementary School in East Rockaway. Before that, he himself was an elementary school teacher in the city.

“We are thrilled to welcome such a child-centered leader to unleash greatness at MWD,” said Lorna Lewis, Malverne superintendent. “He comes with a depth of experience in the Science of Reading and sound elementary instruction. He has just the right skill set needed to enrich our already vibrant K-2 program.”

The science of reading focuses on how to best empower students to become efficient readers — a skill that has been on the decline, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. But to Walter, elementary education isn’t only about academics — it’s about creating well-rounded people and lifelong learners.

“We need to make sure that we’re still focused on their interests, what they enjoy,” Walter said. “Learning needs to be fun. Students need to be working together. They need to have time to express their creativity, engage in play.”

The other side of being a principal is empowering all the classroom teachers to be the best educators they can be. Walter doesn’t just want to be a name in an office — he wants to be on the ground floor, he said, supporting teachers every step of the way. Being visible and accessible is integral to establishing trust with teachers, students and families alike, which is his primary goal for his first official school year as principal, he said.

Walter was particularly looking forward to the beginning of the school year.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” he said. “Just getting to know students, seeing the smiles on their faces, alleviating any anxieties or sadness or anything, because they’re still little. Even the incoming kindergartners, this is all new to them. So I just want to meet them, and greet them with a smile, and celebrate the first day and just be excited about having a tremendous school year together.”

His goal has already gotten off to a strong start — kids were all smiles for the first day of school last week, and buzzed with excitement as they met their new principal, new teachers and new friends.

More than anything, Walter is excited to be an official member of the Malverne Mule family.

“The sense of pride and unity and inclusivity that is Malverne really has impacted me,” he said, “and makes me want to come to work each and every day and do my very best, because it is a very special school district with dedicated teachers, great parents and an outstanding leadership team.”