JUNCTION CITY, Kan. - Take one step into her kindergarten classroom and you will feel the love and passion Clarinda Baker has not only for Washington Elementary, but also the community of Junction City. She is truly making a difference in our students lives every single day by her infectious personality and exceptional ability to make a lasting impact on her students, positively.“I have had an amazing time teaching the last 12 years at Washington Elementary as I am here during the beginning learning stages of our kids’ educational journey. It is so awesome to see the growth in our students, especially from our kindergarten and pre-k students, who are just beginning to start school. It truly feels great when I get to see one of my former students graduate from Junction City High School and be like, yep, I helped do that,” said Baker.
Baker, who has more than 20 years of experience in teaching, continues to make a lasting impact on students, families and fellow educators in Geary County Schools USD 475, daily. Since beginning her journey at Washington in 2014, Baker has consistently created engaging, age-appropriate lessons for her kinder students while helping them exceed academic standards and reach their full potential.“I am so proud of all my students I have had during my time in USD 475. I see them in Walmart or at the grocery store and they will always tell me, Mrs. Baker when we had you, you were a hard teacher, but now because of that I appreciate how much fun school can be. A couple of years ago I was in Walmart, and I had a former student and their family come up and tell me that I helped them realize not only how important school is, but also how cool it can be. They are now an A student at the high school and were an A student when I had them at five years old. It just goes to show that when you know school, you can enjoy school,” said Baker.
Currently serving as the lead kindergarten teacher at Washington Elementary, Baker is widely recognized for fostering a positive and supportive classroom environment that promotes social-emotional learning and academic growth. Her instructional approach focuses on individualized, small-group, and whole-class strategies designed to meet the diverse learning needs of all students. Baker remains deeply committed to helping young learners build strong foundational skills and develop a lifelong love of learning as they begin their educational journeys at Washington Elementary.
“I want students to remember that learning is fun. Washington is home and as a military spouse you don’t always get to have a home base, so it’s always nice to be able to feel like you are a part of a community and family, which is what we have here,” said Baker. “My husband is in the Big Red One and was deployed right when we arrived in 2014, so I had to figure this all out without knowing anyone. What I found out is that the district welcomed me with open arms and made me feel and know that it would be okay. The district really embraces military families. You can live here and make it home. Everyone is friendly and this is an amazing place to call home.”
Baker’s commitment to lifelong learning is reflected in her extensive academic achievements and organizations she’s a part of. She holds four advanced degrees from Columbus State University, Baker University, Kansas State University, and Liberty University. Baker has also been a member of the Kansas NEA and the National Association for the Education of Young Children, while also holding several professional licenses and certifications. Known for her positive and uplifting demeanor, Baker continually strives to inspire both her students and fellow educators.