Klein ISD Crowns District's Secondary Teacher of the Year

SPRING, TX —"It was amazing," exclaimed Doerre Intermediate teacher, Ashley Baker. "We were in the middle of a Professional Learning Committee (PLC) meeting, and so I was completely caught off guard!"

Klein ISD superintendent, Dr. Bret Champion surprised her with some fantastic news, Baker was selected as the 2017 Klein ISD Secondary Teacher of the Year for the district.

Baker calls herself a Purple Cow. "Boring stuff is invisible. It’s a brown cow," she said.

A Purple Cow stands out and is engaging. Baker currently provides learning experiences for sixth through eighth grade English as Second Language (ESL) and English Language Arts (ELA) students at Doerre. She cares for all her students and transforms her thoughts about teaching, and provides and innovative opportunities for students to become critical thinkers.

"I am so proud of her and the things she has a displayed this year in the classroom," said Doerre Intermediate principal Thomas Hensley. "It has been infectious, and I think other teachers have learned from things that she's helped to share. In addition, it's not just the instructional practice; she has a heart of pushing the idea that we should all work together to be stronger. It's cool, and we're excited to have her as a Doerre Warrior."

Baker's growth mindset means she is constantly looking for new ways to reach her diverse students. Baker is passionate about learning from others.

She initiated a successful Pineapple Chart that allows teachers to open their doors and invite others to observe lesson and activities as they happen.

She works closely with teachers to make sure ESL students can be successful. Consistently collaborating with others, she is transforming the norm of just being a classroom teacher and becoming a school-wide teacher, and hopefully, with the availability of social media, eventually becoming a global teacher.

"My job is always continuing, and I'm always working to make sure that my kids want to be with me," said Baker. "I want them to feel that this is this is where they want to be."

This mindset serves Baker well as she builds rapport with students on a whole new level.

"She is very energetic, and she can communicate well," said Baker's student, WillCastronovo. "She has a way to make class fun because she cares for of all her kids."

Baker believes in the power of positivity and leading by example. If she can introduce new ideas and consistently encourage those around her, she knows the small changes that come from it will produce amazing results.

"It's such a great feeling to get your ideas and your passion for education out there and have it reciprocated by our superintendent and your district," said Baker. "It of makes you feel on top of the world."

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