Dr. Walter G. Amprey

WALTER GILES AMPREY was born on December 13, 1944. He was the seconfd of four sons born to Joseph L. Amprey, Sr. and Marion (Jackson) Amprey. His younger brother Melvin died in 1948 when Walter was only 4 years old. This death had a large impact on the young family. It was at this time that Walter's parents decided to have another child. Growing up on W. Lanvale Street, Walter, who was affectionately known as Bubby by family and friends, was an energetic, prankster who was often the class clown at the James Mosher Elementary School (#144). While very intellegent, Walter did not take school very seriously. However, when he came to the third grade, things seemed to change. He met Mr. Daniel Brewington, the only male teacher at the elementary school, who saw enormous potentionl in this rambuctious jokester and took Walter under his wing. Walter became his personal project and he challenged Walter academically. Walter served as Mr. Brewington's special assistant, delivering messages to the front office, cleaning chalkboard erasers, and being assigned to the safety patrol. Under Mr. Brewington's guidance and tutelage, Walter excelled and was skipped to the next grade Walter had an outgoing personality and was able to relate to people from all walks of life. Early on Walter displayed leadership qualities and was hugely popular among his peers. He graduated form Edmondson High School in 1962 and then attended Morgan State College (now University) where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history and secondary education in 1966. He knew one thing for certain at this early juncture in his life. He wanted to be a teacher in Baltimore and have a positive impact on young people the way Mr. Brewington and many teachers had done for him. He began what would become a lifelong passion and love for the classroom as a social studies teacher at Calverton Middle School (then Junior High). Walter continued his journey of professional educational development in 1971 when he received a Master of Science degree in history & social science from Morgan and accepted an administrative appointment at Walbrook Senior High School. Focused on positioning himself for continued growth, Walter resigned from Walbrook in 1973 and became as assistant principal at Woodlawn Senior High School in the Baltimore County Public School System. In 1977, he earned a second master's degree – a Master of Science in educational administration and supervision from the Johns Hopkins University. In 1978, he was appointed principal of Woodlawn Senior High School and served as a trailblazing school leader that caught the attention of educaitonal reformers around the country. Walter loved his time at Woodlawn. He was loved and greatly respected by faculty, staff, and especially the students. He would accept advancement in the Baltimore County System in 1984 and was asked to bring his energy and skills to the directorship of the Office of Staff Relations and was the chief negotiator for the entire system. That same year he completed on of his cherished life goals and earned his doctorate in urban educaiton at Temple University. In 1989, Dr. Amprey became the associate superintendent for Physical Facilities, and two years later in 1990, he was appointed associate superintendent for Staff and Community Relations. In August 1991, Dr. Amprey was apointed Superintendednt of Public Instruction for the Baltimore City Public Schools by Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke. He would lead Baltimore's public schools with incredible devotion to educators and most importantly, to students for six years and during that period of time was honored as Maryland Superintendent of the Year in 1995 and served as president of the Large City Schools Superintendents of the U.S. And Canada from 1995-96. Serving as superintendednt was a labor of love, which consumed him. Believing that every child can learn, Dr. Amprey introduced the concept of educational efficacy. His tenure at times was very difficult and he endured significant criticism for his decision to advocate for school choice and charter schools, concepts concepts considered immensely contraversial at that point of time. Dr. Amprey distinguished himsepf as an active member and leader in several professional organizations including the National Education Association, Maryland State Teachers Association, National Association of Black School Executives, National Association of Secondary School Administrators, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the Phi Alpha Theta – National Honor Society and the American Association of School Administrators. In July of 1997, Dr. Amprey resigned from the Baltimore City Public Schools to take a position as National Vice President for Urban Education with the National School Conference Institute. The National School Conference Institute, which was a partner with TCI (the Cable Giant), that endeavored to use technology to provide Comprehensive Professional Development to school districts nationwide. Dr. Amprey received and Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Baltimre in 1994. In March 1999, Dr. Amprey accepted a position as Senior Vice President-Urban Education with Bingwa Educational Softmare in Atlanta, Georgia. In May of 2000, Dr. Amprey established his own educational consulting firm, The MimKeli Group (named for his daughters), which traded as Amprey & Associates. The company endeavoured to assist school districts around the nation in their efforts to identify greater financial efficiencies and effective instructional programs. Dr. Amprey was named 2012 Alumnus of the Year by the Johns Hopkins University School of Education. He was a board member and served as chairman of numerous organizations including Associated Black Charities (ABC), Northwest Hospital, LifeBridge Health, The Advisory Council for the Johns Hopkins School of Education, the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and the Wireless Generation. Dr. Amprey was the president of the Club of Baltimore, an investment club with a history of over 80 years, and was an active member of the Baltimore Mules, an affiliate of the Baltimore Moles and Mules social club. Very well known for his dedication to philanthropy, each year Dr. Amprey donated thousands of dollars to mearly 30 instructions and charitable organization, including those most dear to his heart like the College Bound Foundation and LifeBridge Health. Among Dr. Amprey's most treasured relationships were those he shared with his brothers of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. where he was initiated into the Pi Chapter at Morgan State College in 1963 along with brother Joe. As an undergraduate, he served as Pi Chapter Keeper of Peace, later matriculating to Pi Omega Graduate Chapter in 1966, and served as Pi Omega Keeper of Record Seal, Vice Basileus and Basileus. He was named Pi Omega Chapter Man of the Year in 1971 and served as 2nd District 1st Vice District Representative and as 2nd District Representative. He was the Grand Keeper of Records and Seal from 1982-1984. Throughout his lifetime he lived and breathed Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc, working tirelessly and unselfishly to promote the cardinal principles of manhood, scholarship, uplift and perseverance. He was a member of the New Shiloh Baptist Church in Baltimore, following the footsteps of his mother and father who both served on the church's deacon board. Dr. Amprey is preceded in death by both parents, and a brother Melvin. In 1968 he married his college sweetheart, Michelle (Pinn). From this union came two daughter Kimberly (Wife of Willie Flowers) of Ellicott City anad Keli of Baltimore. He would marry two additional times before fanilly meeting his soul-mate and love of his life Andrea (Qualls). In 1999 the two married in a beautiful ceremony in San Juan, Puerto Rico. From this union, a blended family was created, with the addition of Andrea's daughter, Che' of Owings Mills; all of whom survive. Additionally Dr. Amprey is survived by a son-in-law Willie Flowers; two brothers, Joseph Amprey Jr. of Reading, Pa,. And Wendell Amprey (Sheila) of Tulsa, Okla.; three grandchildren, Hudson, Harison, and Che' Marie; two brothers-in-law, Kirb Qualls, Jr. (Rachel) and Tyrone Qualls; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Tributes

Dr. Walter G. Amprey

December 13, 1944 - April 22, 2014