By GEORGE KUNKE, geoakunke@gmail.com
Monday, August 16, 2021 12:58 pm
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Raymond Superintendent Ross Baker brings an eclectic background to the Raymond School District (RSD). Baker was hired as the new superintendent on July 1 - taking over for Dr. Stephen Holland, who retired after 18 years at RSD.
Baker's educational background is quite extensive. He began his career as an administrator for 21st Century Grants after-school programming in 2002. He then entered the classroom and taught students in grades four through 12 with the majority of those being taught at the middle school level.
Baker earned teaching certifications for all subjects K-8, a reading certification for K-12, an ESL certification for K-12, and a science certification for middle school science. He is also certified as a principal and superintendent in both Texas and Washington. Baker has served as a principal for middle school and junior/senior high school; the director of secondary education and advanced academics; the assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction, and assessment; and the superintendent.
Baker graduated from Luling HS in Luling, Texas in 1998, and then received an Associates Degree in Agriculture from Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas, a Bachelor's of Science in Public Relations and a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from The University of Texas at Tyler, and has completed half of his Educational Doctorate at St. Thomas University.
Baker offered his time to the Herald for an extensive interview. Baker and his wife, Amanda, have two children. "I met my wife and best friend, Amanda, in college. Amanda is also an educator. We have been married for 17 years and have two boys, John Ross, who is going into ninth grade, and Remington, who is going into seventh grade," he said. "We love spending time outdoors and traveling. We are an agricultural family and raise livestock for our boys' 4-H and FFA projects. Their favorite livestock projects are pigs and goats. We relocated to Washington in August of 2019 after coming up in the summers to visit family; we fell in love with the region's diversity and beautiful landscapes."
Herald: After a few months here, how do you like Pacific County so far?
Baker: Pacific County has been amazing. We have fallen in love with both the people and the strong sense of community. We enjoy the farmer's markets and local shops and driving through the area to soak in the natural beauty.
Herald: Why did you ultimately take the position at Raymond School District?
Baker: This was the only application that I filled out when looking for a new position. Raymond met all of the attributes that we were looking for as a family. Since it is important for me to have my children in the same district where I work, we wanted a strong school system set in a small, rural community. After some research, we felt strongly that Raymond would be a great place to live and serve the community.
Herald: Did you always aspire to be a superintendent, and why did you choose the education profession as your vocation?
Baker: In my junior year of high school, my principal told me I was going to make a great principal one day; I think that planted the initial idea in my head that I could have a career in education administration. However, the idea of serving as a superintendent came at the suggestion of a superintendent under whom I was serving as an assistant superintendent. His mentorship significantly shaped my career and role as a superintendent.
"As a young person, my K-12 school experience was exceptional. I had amazing teachers, principals, and a superintendent who impacted my life. I am the youngest of my six siblings, and the only one to have a college degree. I know that it was the educators in my life who helped me find my potential and dreams. The difference that they made inspired me to enter education and ensure that all students have the same opportunities, support, and experience that I had. My goal is simple: do everything in my power to give every student and staff member the support they need to experience success and reach their full potential."
Herald: What do you find the most rewarding about being involved with the education system?
Baker: There are two things that really make this a fulfilling career: relationships and success. Relationships should be at the center of every school system and are a core value of mine. The second most rewarding thing is seeing staff and students thrive in a collaborative, caring, and inspiring learning environment.
Herald: What is the hardest aspect of being in charge of a school district?
Baker: Unifying all stakeholders is a hard aspect of district leadership. A decision can make one group very happy and another group very disappointed. That is why I work to stay grounded on doing what is best for our students, even when that is not the most popular decision.
Herald: Are there any changes that you would like to initiate at RSD?
Baker: Most changes being made are a direct result of the new state requirements as a part of the last legislative session. Outside of those, I am working to increase communication from the district, both internally and externally. I also want to increase family and community engagement. Parents will notice some immediate changes in communication coming from the district and the campuses including newsletters and principal call-outs each Sunday evening. I am also in the process of starting a Parent Advisory Council. This will be a group of parent volunteers who will meet with me to look for ways to enhance and create opportunities for our students.
Herald: Briefly, what is your philosophy of education?
Baker: Relationships matter. Meet the needs of every student, every day. Make decisions based upon the mantra of "do what is in the best interest of students."
Herald: After getting through the coronavirus pandemic, what are your thoughts about the current state of education in RSD, in Washington, in the USA?
Baker: In RSD, we have a great group of students and educators. However, there is no doubt that the pandemic created challenges for teachers and students. As we return to full-time in-person learning, we will face new obstacles based upon the previous years' experiences. However, we are doing everything we can to mitigate those challenges and prepare students and staff for success.
Herald: What are the biggest changes you have seen take place in K-12 education over the past decade?
Baker: The pendulum in education is always swinging. I think we have started to make some positive movements away from the stress and focus on standardized testing. Our students are much more than a test score on one test on one day. Over the last decade, we have also become more focused on the whole child by providing more purposeful social/emotional supports for students. The pandemic has also showcased the need to support our students' mental well-being. I am also pleased to see that there is a heightened awareness of creating equitable learning opportunities for all students.
Herald: Do you have an inspirational hero in the realm of education?
Baker: I have a wide range of mentors, heroes, and thought partners who inspire me on a regular basis. The list of these people would be incredibly long. However, I am still learning, growing, and these people still inspire and challenge me to continue to think, process, and learn more. The works of Simon Sinek, Brene Brown, and Jimmy Casas have shaped some of my core beliefs and actions regarding my leadership roles. I have a professional learning community that I am able to engage with both in person, through social media, book studies, and podcasts. There are so many people making positive impacts in the lives of students, and I draw inspiration from them all.
Herald: Who/what experience has taught you the most about education?
Baker: I think the students have taught me the most about education. Students know themselves: they understand their strengths and weaknesses. They are quick to tell others about their insecurities about their school experience. Listening to students' ideas, struggles, and celebrations has taught me how to best support them as well as their teachers to ensure that students are both socially, emotionally, and academically successful.
Herald: What are your thoughts about the current trend of things being taught in the classroom that were not there five years ago?
Baker: Although many classrooms were using technology as part of the students' instructional tools, technology is more seamlessly integrated into the daily classroom learning process. Technology, when utilized appropriately, helps teachers individualize instruction and supports for students. In addition, there is a greater acknowledgment of the importance of social-emotional learning in each classroom with prominent use of positive self-talk like, "I don't get this - YET. We are in this together. (and) I can do hard things." This teaches our students the importance of community, collaboration, a positive attitude, and determination.
Herald: Is there anything you would like to change about the "institution of teaching"?
Baker: I would like to see additional support provided for teachers so that they are more equipped to support students. With all that we now know about trauma, the brain, and reading, it would be wonderful to see universities rise to the occasion with classes that focus on helping educators understand how students' struggles present themselves in the classroom. For example: what are various indicators of trauma or ADHD? What are dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, and dyspraxia? There have been great advancements in the area of the science of reading and these should be impacting the educator preparation programs in colleges across the country. As we provide more support to our educators, we in turn offer more support to our students.
Herald: Right now, what is the most important thing RSD needs that it does not have?
Baker: This is not a question I can answer yet; I will need more time to get to know the RSD school community.
Herald: Is there a single-most-important experience in your life?
Baker: I believe that becoming a dad has been such an incredible and important experience. Being a dad has changed my perspective on the world. Coming from a family of poverty, it has been so important to me to break the cycle of poverty and to create a stable family life for my boys. My children directly impact my work as a school administrator because every student coming to RSD should have the same educational support and opportunities that I desire for my children. Furthermore, watching my boys move through elementary school, middle school, and now high school, provides me with a greater understanding of the complexities of our students. As my boys have had challenges to overcome, it has expanded my understanding and shaped me as an advocate for students.
Herald: Is there anything you would care to add about anything?
Baker: Amanda and I are so excited to be here with our family; we have already felt so welcomed and look forward to becoming a part of the community.