Alumni Faculty Spotlight Jama Branham | The Walker School

Jama (Hedden) Branham ’85 concludes an impressive 37-year tenure at Walker, where she served in a wide range of roles, including teacher, yearbook adviser, librarian, and Senior Events Coordinator. In her final duties, she executed the commencement ceremony for the largest class in Walker history, 122 strong. The Walker School hosted her retirement celebration on April 23rd.

Jama’s involvement at Walker began when she was four years old, and her parents enrolled her in preschool. During her student years, she was deeply engaged in campus life. She participated in Honor Council, National Honor Society, Yearbook, Cheerleading, Basketball, NSA Players (the school’s theatre troupe), Chorus, Student Government, and French Club, and also served as Class President. Outside the classroom, Jama pursued a wide range of interests, including dance, gymnastics, and piano. It was her introduction to horseback riding and showing, however, that sparked a lifelong passion and one that has remained a meaningful part of her life ever since.

She went on to earn a B.A. in English and Theatre from Vanderbilt University and later completed her M.Ed. in English Education at Kennesaw State University. During her college years, she worked as a substitute teacher, an experience that ultimately inspired her to pursue a post-baccalaureate teacher certification in 1988. That path led her back to Walker, where she was hired in the fall of 1989 by Nancy Calhoun, then middle school principal, as an English teacher.

Reflecting on returning to her alma mater as a faculty member, Jama shared, “It sounds cliché, but it felt like coming home. Calling my former teachers by their first names was definitely hard to get used to, though!”

Jama has been married to Mark for 34 years. They have two children, both Walker graduates. Christopher ‘11 is married to Emily (Janeira) '13 and lives in Connecticut with Jama’s grandson, 2-year-old James. Nicole ‘16 is married to Macall Lewis and bought a house in Acworth last year. They also have two furbabies, Otis and Barney, who keep a close eye on all the activity on their farm. 

Jama and Mark enjoy spending time with their family and friends. They also love to travel, and have a long list of places they want to visit. They are going on their first cruise together as soon as school is out, and Jama will also be going on a mission trip to Guatemala in June. She is looking forward to having more time in retirement to ride horses. She grew up showing American Saddlebreds and would love to get back into competing.

What are some of your favorite memories from your time as a student here?
I have so many fond memories of the years in the old Waterman Street building, where I made lifelong friends. I loved the creaky wooden staircases, going to chapel and P.E. at the Salvation Army next door, having art class in the basement, and playing at recess. Performing in the spring plays will always be a favorite memory, first at the Marietta High School auditorium and later at the Jennie Tate Anderson theater. High school highlights were eating lunch on the soccer field (usually a candy bar and a Tab!), crossing 41 to go to Arby's after school, dressing up for spirit week, performing in plays, cheerleading, playing basketball (I was terrible!), hanging out with friends in front of the pay phone in the hall, passing notes in class… all the things teenagers do. It was a good time!

Were there any teachers or mentors who had a lasting impact on you?
I was lucky to have so many amazing teachers at Walker. The ones who I consider to have had a profound and lasting impact are Patty Mozley, Nancy Calhoun, Billie Walker, Dixie Bowden, and Ed Deavers. They were masters of their craft, but more importantly, they cared deeply about their students. 

How has the school changed since you were a student? How has it stayed the same?
Walker is so much bigger now, both in terms of physical size and enrollment. When we moved to our current campus when I was in 5th grade, we only occupied half of the main building. There were only 17 students in my senior class. Everyone pretty much knew everyone from pre-k through 12th grade because we all shared the same halls. I love that we continue to have so many students who stay at Walker for many years including some being lifers like I was.

I believe Walker has always encouraged students to think for themselves and to be lifelong learners, and my retirement will center around that philosophy in the form of reading, traveling, and taking classes in French, art, all kinds of things.

What do you enjoy most about teaching or working at the school now?
I've loved transitioning from teacher to librarian. It's a perfect fit for me, and I like that Bowden Library has become the most popular hangout on campus. I think what I'll miss most, though, is spending time and having conversations with my faculty friends. Where else will I be able to find so many smart, funny, caring, people in one place?

Are there any traditions or events that are especially meaningful to you?
I love Homecoming. When I was a student here, we didn't have a football team, so we had Homecoming during basketball season. We did a pep rally (I was a cheerleader) and had the dance in the old gym, which is now our auditorium. It's especially fun now to return as an alumna because I get to see old friends and former students. I also love that Walker's strong theatre tradition has continued throughout the years. I was a theatre kid during the Ed Deavers years, which really set the foundation for what the program is now.