What year did you start working at Baker?
2022
What is your favorite thing about working at Baker?
I enjoy the environment that I’m in and how the community truly cares about one another.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I enjoy playing frisbee golf whenever I can.
What year did you start working at Baker?
2023
What do you like best about working at Baker?
I love the welcoming community and the enthusiasm for innovation, exploration, and creativity.
Where did you earn your degree(s)?
B.A., California State University, Long Beach MSEd, Northwestern University
What is the greatest gift you wish to bestow upon your students
My hope is that my students feel a strong sense of belonging within our classroom community, and that they develop a passion for life-long learning.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I enjoy going on road trips and one of my goals is to visit every national park!
What year did you start working at Baker?
2023
What do you like best about working at Baker?
The collaborative nature of the whole community.
Where did you earn your degree(s)?
B. A. Spanish Language and Literature, Universidad de Salamanca (Spain); M.F.A. Theatre Directing, University of Arkansas (Fayetteville, AR)
What is the greatest gift you hope to bestow upon your students?
I hope to instill a curiosity for other languages, and for the cultures that they represent.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I am both Colombian and Spanish! I enjoy taking nature walks, I like playing fútbol, and I love theatre.
What year did you start working at Baker?
2022
What do you like best about working at Baker?
The amazing student community.
Where did you earn your degree(s)?
St. Mary’s College of California
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I love being outdoors, hiking, swimming, biking.
What year did you start working at Baker?
2010
What do you like best about working at Baker?
I love how curious and caring Baker students are about the world around them.
Where did you earn your degree(s)?
B.A. Murdoch University, Western Australia; M. Ed, University of Illinois, Chicago
What is the greatest gift you hope to bestow upon your students?
That they are able to find the fun in what they are learning about.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I grew up in Australia and played rugby.
When did you start working at Baker?
2022
What is your favorite thing about working at Baker?
Getting to know all our amazing students and their families. Since I’m lucky enough to see everyone enter and exit the building, I get the chance to briefly chat with everybody and get to know them better.
Where did you earn your degree(s)?
DePaul University
What is the greatest gift you hope to bestow upon your students?
For me, making sure everyone feels welcomed and supported when entering our school.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I started intensely studying oil painting when my children left for college. My favorite motto – it’s never too late!
With progressive education roots that date back to her own education at Francis W. Parker School, Kate received her B.A. in English from Kenyon College and her M.Ed. in instructional leadership from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Before beginning her career in education, Kate worked in communications, marketing, and fundraising for the City of Chicago and in the non-profit space. Once she heeded the call to teach, Kate began her education career as an early-childhood teacher at Park West Cooperative Nursery School before moving to North Shore Country Day School as a fifth-grade teacher. She then returned to her alma mater, Francis W. Parker, where she taught fourth grade and served as a faculty administrator. In 2011, Kate co-founded Bennett Day School, and over the next ten years she served as Principal and Chief Administrative Officer of the school. Kate is also trained and experienced in coaching and in Social Emotional Learning, and most recently founded a consulting firm focused on educational counseling and coaching for families and individuals.
According to Kate, Baker is:
“A community where the priority is placed on building authentic, supportive relationships as the foundation for all learning and is essential to developing intellect and personal growth. In reading the Baker Demonstration Head of School position statement, I was reminded of a passage in Mary Oliver’s poem, Sometimes: Instructions for living a life; Pay attention./ Be astonished./ Tell about it. Baker is a school that is providing space and place for children to pay attention, be astonished, and tell about it.”
What year did you start working at Baker?
2008
What do you like best about working at Baker?
I love the people I get to work with, the kids, families, and the ability to try new things with students
Where did you earn your degree(s)?
B.S. Illinois State University; M.S, Northern Illinois University; M.A.T. and T.I.E., National Louis University
What is the greatest gift you hope to bestow upon your students?
I hope to instill risk-taking, patience and persistence in my students.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I am learning to play the ukulele.
When did you start working at Baker?
2021
What do you like best about working at Baker?
I love working with such a talented and compassionate team of educators and professionals, and with truly amazing students.
Where did you earn your degree(s)?
I have my MAT in Education from National Louis University.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I have been skydiving. It was terrifying!
When did you start working at Baker?
2017
What do you like best about working at Baker?
Working at Baker is important to me because each child is viewed as an individual. Every student gathers and processes information in the world differently. Here at Baker we understand and celebrate that! I am encouraged as a teacher each time one of my students is able to grow more confident in who they are, through movement and choreography in my dance class.
What is the greatest gift you hope to bestow upon your students?
The greatest gift that I can share with my students is that anyone can dance! Our bodies and souls are meant to move and celebrate in any way that feels joyful to us. For each person that means something very different. Movement is a gift that we can give ourselves and feel good sharing with others.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I am a retired professional dancer and choreographer having toured performing and teaching throughout Europe, New York, Las Vegas, and Chicago. Just as much as I enjoy the arts and I am also a loyal sports fan. I am most often the loudest fan cheering in the stands, supporting my kids!
What year did you start working at Baker?
2022
What do you like best about working at Baker?
I love the community of amazing teachers and the passion for learning the students bring every day.
Where did you earn your degree(s)?
B.A. – THE Ohio State University; M.A.T. – Northeastern Illinois University
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I love knitting, swimming, and had a remake of Beastie Boys’ video “Sabotage” starring librarians go viral.
What year did you start working at Baker?
2022
What do you like best about working at Baker?
I love the deep sense of community we have at Baker. Although I just started, I already feel connected to my colleagues, students and Baker families!
Where did you earn your degree(s)?
University of Wisconsin-Madison (BS Early Childhood/ESL)
What is a fun fact about yourself?
One day I hope to write and illustrate a children’s book with my mom.
What year did you start working at Baker?
2010
What do you like best about working at Baker?
The best thing about working at Baker is that Baker believes in children. For early childhood, the importance of play (and the realization that play is the work of children) is central to everything we do. I can provide an individualized curriculum that is responsive to the needs of children and their development, not one that is prescribed and forced on them.
Where did you earn your degree(s)?
B.S., Colorado State University; M.Ed, Erikson Institute
What is the greatest gift you hope to bestow upon your students?
As students and learners, I want preschool to be the place where they begin to develop the Habits of Mind: Persisting, Managing Impulsivity, Listening with Understanding and Empathy … the list of these 16 habits sets the stage for lifelong learning. As people, I want preschool to support identity exploration and formation, to be a place that helps them understand who they are… as individuals, as family members, as community members, as citizens.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I love old houses, abandoned buildings and have an innate curiosity about their stories. I am planning a road trip to southwest Michigan in the fall to take a driving tour of homes and locations that were once part of the Underground Railroad. Another example is the Uptown Theater in Chicago, which opened in 1925 and closed in 1981. Though it has been sitting empty for decades, a restoration plan is in the works and I can’t wait to be able to get inside and see it!
What year did you start working at Baker?
I started my Baker journey in August 2019.
What do you like best about working at Baker?
The absolute best part about Baker is being able to craft curriculum that has a holistic approach, centering the whole child and how to better serve them. This way, I can differentiate instruction, center justice, and make learning engaging for all students.
Where did you earn your degree(s)?
I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Writing, but after teaching students at a non-for-profit organization, my passions changed. I’m currently enrolled in a Master’s in Teaching Program to teach 5th-8th graders in Literature, with a specific focus on communication.
What is the greatest gift you hope to bestow on your students?
My greatest gift for students is to develop high levels of self-efficacy. Believing you can do anything is half the battle. The other half is forming a plan and having discipline to follow it. Once that is achieved, there’s no limit to what you can accomplish.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I was on the Dance Team and Acapella group in college!
What year did you start working at Baker?
2010
What do you like best about working at Baker?
Our students. On any given day, Baker students showcase creativity, civility, an inquisitive nature, and the desire to do things better than they have ever been done before.
Where did you earn your degree(s)?
B.A., Hamilton College
What is the greatest gift you hope to bestow upon your students?
The desire to think critically and the confidence to become agents of positive change.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
My current favorite hobby is playing in the sandbox with my two sons (both Baker students).
What year did you start working at Baker?
I started at Baker in 2015
What do you like best about working at Baker?
I love working at Baker because I get to see all of the dynamic learning that happens every day. Each teacher brings their own talents and interests into their classrooms. Baker teachers encourage students to be curious thinkers and to be confident in themselves.
Where did you earn your degree(s)?
B.A., The University of Iowa; M.A., National Louis University
What is the greatest gift you hope to bestow upon your students?
My goal is to help my students feel comfortable and confident in their academic abilities. Getting to know a wide age-range of students, including their interests and learning styles, is one of the best parts of my job!
What is a fun fact about yourself?
A fun fact that people may not know is that I used to be a runner and have completed 7 half marathons.
What year did you start working at Baker?
December 2006
What do you like best about working at Baker?
I love working at Baker because it is a school that places the child first and respects each student as an individual. This approach allows for a dynamic curriculum that is immersive, creative, and highly motivating for students and teachers alike.
Where did you get your degree(s)?
B.A., San Francisco State University, M.A., Pepperdine University
What is the greatest gift you hope to bestow upon your students?
My greatest hope as a teacher is to preserve the spirit of each child. I endeavor to make our classroom a joyful and safe place where all are welcome. I hope students leave first grade feeling confident in themselves, curious about the world, and acting compassionately toward others.
What year did you start working at Baker?
2019
What do you like most about working at Baker?
That the individual child is at the center of everything we do.
Where did you earn your degrees?
B.A., St. Mary’s College, M.A., National Louis University
What is the greatest gift you hope to bestow upon your students?
A love of learning! The confidence to freely explore & take risks.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I did pre-clinical work in a second grade classroom at Baker in ‘03 while getting my masters in elementary education (when NLU & Baker were still physically connected).
What year did you start working at Baker?
2023
What do you like best about working at Baker?
The emphasis on and integration with nature! Baker takes great advantage of its amazing location and beautiful surroundings and the students and teachers benefit from it.
Where did you earn your degree(s)?
I earned my B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, and I am a current student at National-Louis University working toward my master’s degree in elementary education.
What is the greatest gift you hope to bestow upon your students?
To be lifelong, reflective learners.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I am a flautist and avid tennis player.
What year did you start working at Baker?
2016
What do you like most about working at Baker?
I love the community of faculty and students that together foster curiosity, support growth, and advocate for equity.
Where did you earn your degrees?
Dartmouth, AB in Art History, UC Santa Barbara, MA in Art History, CalState LA, Teaching Credential in Social Studies
What is the greatest gift you hope to bestow upon your students?
I hope to empower my students as confident, unique learners who are unafraid of trying and able to advocate for themselves as they embrace the process of learning.
I hope to support the faculty to take risks in teaching their passions to our students and facilitating their reflection on best practices that center our students in all our work.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I love animals – my family has 18 named pets including a turtle, cats, axolotls, geckos, a blue-tongued skink, a blood python, a Central American boa, a hamster, a dog, and several fish.
What year did you start working at Baker?
2013
What degrees have you earned?
B.A. and M.B.A.
What is a favorite college class/hobby/club/memory?
A Women’s Studies Class! It was very empowering.
What’s your favorite thing about working at Baker?
Working with amazing and talented colleagues.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I love baking and hosting memorable parties.
What year did you start working at Baker?
2009
Where did you earn your degree(s)?
B.A., Macalester College, B.S.N., Loyola University
What’s your favorite thing about working at Baker?
Watching the confidence of our students grow.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I am on a master’s swim team and enjoy it even more than I did when I was younger.
What year did you start working at Baker?
2023
What do you like best about working at Baker?
So far, I’ve really appreciated how welcoming the community has been.
Where did you earn your degree(s)?
I earned my BA from Haverford College in Philadelphia and my MA from Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City
What is the greatest gift you hope to bestow upon your students?
I hope students leave my class with confidence in their ability as learners and a sense that history is relevant to our world today.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I love long-distance backpacking and spent the summer of 2022 hiking the Pacific Crest Trail.
What year did you start working at Baker?
2016
What do you like best about working at Baker?
I love getting students excited about science by weaving inquiry learning into the curriculum and helping our students develop their own critical thinking skills.
Where did you earn your degree(s)?
B.,S. Indiana University; M.S., Northwestern University
What is the greatest gift you hope to bestow upon your students?
To be curious about the world around them and take initiative to protect what is important to them!
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I enjoy running and triathlons and have three daughters! I have also skydived and bungee jumped!
What year did you start working at Baker?
I began working at Baker in 2012.
What do you like best about working at Baker?
Sharing curiosity and wonder with students, working with dedicated and caring colleagues, and the support and enthusiasm of wonderful families.
Where did you earn your degree(s)?
I have a B.A. from Barat College (now Depaul University), a J.D. from Loyola University School of Law and an M.A.T. degree from National Louis University
What is the greatest gift you hope to bestow upon your students?
The joy of learning
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I adore potato chips!
What year did you start working at Baker?
2022
What do you like best about working at Baker?
My colleagues and administrative teams are inspiring, supportive and creative. It is a place of positive growth and development for the students as well as the professional staff. Proud to call Baker my home away from home!
Where did you earn your degree(s)?
M.A., DePaul University, M.Ed DePaul University,
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I am a fitness instructor with a passion for spinning and strength training.
What year did you start working at Baker?
2009
What do you like best about working at Baker?
My amazing students and colleagues!
Where did you earn your degree(s)?
B.A., Northwestern University; M.A.T., National-Louis University
What is the greatest gift you hope to bestow upon your students?
I hope to empower students as creative agents of change, empathic advocates for justice, and joyful and collaborative learners.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I am the proud mom of a Baker “lifer.”
When did you start working at Baker?
2021.
What do you like best about working at Baker?
The close-knit community that fosters incredible relationship building.
Where did you earn your degree(s)?
Loyola University Chicago
What is a fun fact about yourself?
In 2017, I hiked for five days through the Andes Mountains on the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu!
What year did you start working at Baker?
2019
What do you like most about working at Baker?
The inclusivity! Baker is a great model for kids and adults in all areas.
Where did you earn your degree (s)?
A long time ago in a galaxy far far away,” I attended undergrad at Columbia College and later attended Loyola University to get my Masters Degree in Social Work.
What is the greatest gift you hope to bestow upon your students?
To create a life-long positive narrative around asking for and receiving emotional support from caring professionals.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
Right out of undergrad, I was a professional stage actress and toured around the United States doing Musical Theater.
What is your teaching/support services super power?
I LOVE talking to kids and am genuinely interested in everything they have to say! I believe every student has their own superpowers and I hope to help them discover it and use it
When did you start working at Baker?
2022
What do you like best about working at Baker?
The warm community of faculty, parents and students.
Where did you earn your degree(s)?
Washington State University (BA Apparel and Textiles Merchandising)
What is a fun fact about yourself?
Education is my second career. In my previous life I was the toy and decor buyer at The Land of Nod and Crate & Barrel!
What year did you start working at Baker?
2013
What do you like best about working at Baker?
I value working in a school where I am trusted as a professional to do what is best for kids and that has equity and justice work deeply embedded into all we do. Baker is a place where you can grow as an educator and are supported to take risks and innovate. I love being on a team with other arts specialists and being surrounded by so many creative teachers.
Where did you earn your degree(s)?
B.A., Ball State University; M.A. Columbia College
What is the greatest gift you hope to bestow upon your students?
I hope that my artists develop creative confidence, an appreciation for all types of art and a love for making and creating. I hope that they harness the power of their art to enact change, express who they are and bring beauty into the world.
What year did you start working at Baker?
2006
What’s your favorite thing about working at Baker?
I get to talk to teachers and be there to serve the teacher and make sure the kids are safe. I feel comfortable being and I enjoy the people at Baker.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I don’t have one but, unless raising six kids counts – though challenging at times. Or, I got one; I like my job!
When did you start working at Baker?
2023
What do you like best about working at Baker?
I love the atmosphere at Baker. Learning is made exciting for the students and creativity and out-of-the-box thinking are celebrated!
Where did you earn your degree(s)?
I have a BA in Theatre from Piedmont University and a MFA in Drama from the University of Arkansas
What is the greatest gift you hope to bestow upon your students?
I hope to encourage my students to lead with a curious mind. Art is created when minds and hearts are open to exploration.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I have over 70 house plants and pet pigeon named Pidgey!
What year did you start working at Baker?
2013, Baker Summer Discovery Camp; 2017, Spanish teacher
What do you like best about working at Baker?
What I like most about Baker is the teacher commitment that is among the entire faculty. Baker is a place in which every teacher focuses on the students first. The students are able to learn through a fun and meaningful experience.
Where did you earn your degree(s)?
B.A., Lake Forest College
What is the greatest gift you hope to bestow upon your students?
I hope my students are able to bring their best selves into every situation. To see their true potential and follow what they are passionate about.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I love comfortable shoes!
Baker faculty facilitates dynamic classroom environments that nurture the intellectual, social, and emotional lives of young children and early adolescents. With academic excellence at the core of learning, our hands-on, experiential curriculum is designed to inspire curiosity, creation and collaboration. Baker faculty values teaching the individual learner and honoring diversity.
School & Office Support Receptionist
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Maintenance Staff
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Preschool Associate Teacher
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Learning Specialist for Grades 1-5 & Director of Student Services
Dean of Academics, Eighth Grade Science Teacher, High School Transition Coordinator
Fifth Grade Teacher & Intermediate Team Leader, Equity Action Team member
Second Grade Associate Teacher & Print Shop Coordinator
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Arts Studio Teacher, All School Team Leader, SEED Facilitator
1st-8th Grade Drama Teacher, 5th Grade Associate Teacher
Dean of Student Engagement, Athletic Director, Early Childhood Spanish Heritage Teacher
