Mrs. Baker, April 2021 Educator of the Month

Superintendent, Ms. Tammy Chavis, is thrilled to announce that Mrs. Jean Baker, first-grade teacher at Laurel Elementary School, has been selected as April’s “Educator of the Month.”

Mrs. Baker is in her twenty-fourth year of teaching for Franklin County Community Schools. Mrs. Baker received her Bachelor of Science from Indiana University East. She continued her education at Indiana Wesleyan University earning her Master’s.

Mrs. Baker was nominated for this honor by two parents. When asked why Mrs. Baker should be considered for this recognition, one parent responded, “I have had the privilege of having two children in Mrs. Baker’s class. Jean has always made my children feel important and happy to be at school. My youngest daughter is in her class this year and comes home with stories about what they have learned that week. I have heard lots of stories about butterflies, caterpillars, and different presidents and how they helped America. One that really caught my attention was weather week. Mrs. Baker taught the kids all about different types of weather. That week, we were driving down the road and my daughter, out of the blue, started telling me how it was a good weather day because the cloud was a stratus cloud. Ever since she has picked out clouds from the sky and tells me what they are and what they mean. I was so surprised that she learned so much and was so enthused by it. Jean Baker makes learning fun for her students! She has a heart of gold that cares for each one of her students and treats them like they are her own.” Another parent responded, “ Jean goes above and beyond what is expected of her. She encourages each student to be their best and makes their education her top priority. Jean has given me every resource possible to help my struggling child grow academically and mentally. It has been a true blessing to have Mrs. Baker as my child’s teacher.”

In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Mrs. Baker serves as PTO Treasurer at Laurel Elementary School and is a member of her local church. In Mrs. Baker’s free time, she loves spending time with her family, especially her two grandchildren. She also enjoys camping, road trips, spending time at the ocean and in the mountains, working in her yard, and sitting on her porch reading.

When asked what she loves most about her job, Mrs. Baker responded, “The best part of my job is interacting with the children each day. I love watching students get excited about learning. If they are excited, they will work harder and learn so much more. I absolutely love listening to them discuss a topic that we have learned about in class or tell a friend what strategy they use to solve a problem. That is when I know I have done my job! The best part of being a teacher is knowing that I have made a difference in the lives of the children.”

The purpose of the “Educator of the Month” program is to recognize outstanding Franklin County educators who demonstrate excellence in the classroom, leadership in the school, dedication to the students, and involvement in the community. Nomination forms for “Educator of the Month” can be found on the school corporation website at www.fccsc.k12.in.us.