Golden Apple Award: Deborah Baker, Dalton High School
DALTON, GA (WDEF) – Deborah Baker has dedicated her long teacher career making a difference in the lives of her students. She challenges them and equips them with the skills they need for success in the classroom and in life. All that earned the Dalton High School teacher this week’s Golden Apple Award.
Lee Collins is the Principal at Dalton High.
He says, “Miss Baker is a blessing to Dothan High School. The staff and students. She’s a blessing to the administration. She’s really supportive.”
Dee Curtis is the Assistant Principal.
She adds, “Miss Baker is a nurturer, a lover, a giver. She’s always available. If you ever need anything, you can go to Miss Baker. She takes care of the students, staff and faculty.”
When asked to describe herself, Ms. Baker says, “Teaching to me as a calling teacher. To me as a ministry. I have been in the, I retired once from Hamilton County, after over 23 years of service. And I’ve taught in two different states. I love working with kids. I love working to see when they when they succeed and what they want to succeed at. So,my job to me is not just reading, writing, arithmetic, but it’s the whole scope of things that helps him, helps them personally to grow, emotionally, to make their life better. If they’re succeeding, then I’m succeeding.”
The person who nominated Ms. Baker wrote, “She has dedicated her career to helping students with disabilities overcome challenges, equipping them with the tools and the confidence to succeed both in school and in life beyond the classroom.”
Ms. Baker concludes,” I want the students to take with them self-confidence. I want them to know that they do matter. That there’s a purpose for their life. And I want them to succeed in whatever it is they choose to do with whatever their goal is. You know, to set those goals, help them to achieve them. Whether if it’s college, if it’s going into a trade school, if it’s just getting a job, we’re all important. We’re all created by God. And he has a purpose for each and every one of us. And I want them to be able to be successful and be prosperous and be productive citizens.”
