Walter S. Polka

Dr. Walter Polka was born and raised in Niagara Falls, New York and is currently an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at Niagara University. He was an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and Doctoral Program Coordinator at Georgia Southern University (2003-2008). Dr. Polka retired in 2003 after a career as a New York public school teacher and administrator for 36 years including 13 years as Superintendent of Schools at the Lewiston-Porter Central School District in Youngstown, N.Y. and 13 years as a Curriculum Coordinator K-12 in the Williamsville, New York schools.

Dr. Polka has also taught graduate and undergraduate courses since 1970 as an Adjunct Professor at several institutions of higher education including: Loyola University of Maryland, Medaille College, Niagara University, Niagara County Community College, State University of New York at Buffalo, State University of New York College at Brockport and State University of New York College at Buffalo.

He has published several research articles in peer-reviewed professional education journals as well as book chapters in teacher education texts. His recent book with Dr. Peter Litchka: "The dark side of educational leadership: Superintendents and the professional victim syndrome" is published by Rowman & Littlefield. He has presented several workshops, clinics and conference sessions about his leadership experiences and research throughout most of the United States (30 states) and in eighteen countries worldwide.