Principal's Welcome
Dear Walker Students and Families,
I am honored to return as Principal of Hilda Walker Intermediate School for the 2025–2026 school year! This year marks my tenth year at Walker and my eighteenth year serving the Summit Hill School District 161 community. I joined the Walker team in 2016 as Assistant Principal, a role I proudly held for four years before becoming Principal. Prior to my time at Walker, I served as a school social worker and special education coordinator at Dr. Julian Rogus Elementary School for eight years. I remain deeply committed to our district and look forward to another great year supporting the students, staff, and families of Walker.
I live in Orland Park with my daughter and am a lifelong White Sox fan. In my free time, I enjoy reading a good book, cheering on the Sox, attending my daughter’s swim meets, and planning our next family adventure.
At Walker, we are dedicated to fostering an environment where students feel safe to take risks, set goals, and build strong, positive relationships. I am incredibly proud of our talented and passionate team of educators and support staff who work tirelessly to create a welcoming and engaging learning environment for every student. We also value and appreciate the vital partnership we share with our families. Together, we strive to make the two years our students spend as Walker Wildcats some of the most memorable and impactful of their educational journey.
Our theme for this year is:
One School, One Team: Every Student, Every Staff Member, Every Day!
At Walker, we believe that every student and every day matter. We are committed to being respectful, responsible, and safe in all we do. We value engagement, inclusivity, and a strong sense of belonging for every member of our school community. We expect our students and staff to be "all in", present, engaged, and giving their best, each and every day.
On behalf of the entire Walker staff, thank you for visiting our school webpage and welcome to the Walker community. It is truly my pleasure to serve as your child’s principal. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if I can assist you in any way.
Kindly,
Maura K. Carroll, Principal
Hilda Walker Intermediate School
One School, One Team, One 161
Dear Walker Students and Families,
I am Marianne Hourihan, the assistant principal here at Hilda Walker School. I’ve been a proud member of Summit Hill School District 161 since graduating from Illinois State University in 2013. My journey in the district began as a paraprofessional at Indian Trail, and midway through that year, I transitioned into a second-grade teaching role. The following year, I moved to Hilda Walker to teach sixth grade English Language Arts — a role I happily held for eight years. During that time, I earned my master’s degree in Educational Leadership & Administration in 2020. This marks my fourth year as assistant principal, and I truly feel fortunate to work alongside such an incredible and hard-working staff. Walker has become my second home.
At Walker, we follow our PBIS expectations of being respectful, responsible, and safe. I believe that a strong partnership between home and school plays a vital role in a student’s success, and I’m committed to fostering open, ongoing communication with our families throughout the year. We know that when schools and families work together, students thrive both academically and socially.
Walker offers a wide variety of clubs, activities, and athletic opportunities that allow students to explore their interests, build confidence, and make new friends. Whether it’s joining a sports team or discovering a new passion in one of our many clubs, there’s something here for everyone. I encourage each student to get involved and make the most of all that Walker has to offer. We are here to support every student on their journey and help them grow into respectful, responsible, and confident young people.
I am so excited for the 2025-2026 school year!
Let’s go Wildcats!
Sincerely,
Marianne Hourihan, Assistant Principal
Hilda Walker Intermediate School
One School, One Team, One 161