Director of Professional Learning and Growth
AACTE
Dr. Shari Baker (she/her) began her career in education at Duke University. While there, she joined a women’s scholarship group, the Baldwin Scholars, in which she continues to be an active member. In conjunction with graduating with a BA in Cultural Anthropology and a minor in education, Dr. Baker obtained her social studies teaching certificate and went on to teach social studies in Prince George’s County Public Schools for a decade. During her tenure in PGCPS, Dr. Baker became a teacher-leader, writing district curricula, serving on textbook selection committees, mentoring new teachers, and participating on school management teams. She has also had extensive training on cultural responsive/sustaining pedagogy and restorative justice in schools. Dr. Baker also has experience implementing and measuring DEI initiatives at both large and small independent schools, notably holding the position of Director of Diversity & Inclusion at one of the largest independent high schools in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Shari also previously served as the Vice President for DEI at a global public relations agency, where she spearheaded the establishment of ERGs and diversified the talent pipeline by forging multiple HBCU partnerships. Dr. Baker is now the Director of Program Development and Growth at AACTE.
Dr. Baker holds an M.Ed in Curriculum & Instruction with a focus on Minority and Urban Education from the University of Maryland and completed her EdD in Curriculum, Teaching and Teacher Education at the University of Florida. She is the proud daughter of Trinidadian immigrants, a Bison (Howard University legacy) by birth, and is in love with her culture, her preschooler, Zoe, her toddler, Kai, and her Disney+ subscription.
Leadership Focus Group for Deans
Friday, February 16, 2024
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM MST