Influential Woman · Education

Lisa Baker

School Principal, The Pathways Schools

Annapolis, MD 20781

1Award received

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Bachelor's Degree (1988) Degree Doctoral Degree in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Degree Gwinnett Mercy University (2022) Cert Distinguished Scholar for Doctoral Graduating Class

Her Story

About Lisa

I've been in education for 35 years, and I've always been in this field. Throughout my career, I've been a teacher, an instructional coach, and an education director - just kind of been all over the place. I mostly taught English, so that's my main area of expertise today. My typical day involves making sure that students are getting to their transportation and pickups, completing their assignments, and adjusting assignments for modifications or accommodations. I also make sure teachers have the resources that they need, talk to parents, talk to LEAs, and handle budgeting. That's a pretty typical day right there with many different tasks all the time. I don't think there was any one inspiration that got me into this field. I just sort of ended up here, and I really believe that you sort of end up where you belong. I've been in education my entire career, and this is where I have ended up, so I really feel like this is where I belong. I stay because of the kids and because of just knowing that advocacy is important. My most notable professional achievement so far is getting some of our students to graduate and sticking with them until they graduate. I currently work at a non-profit, and it's very important to me to hang out here with my people and to be able to keep doing what I'm doing.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Lisa

01What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute my success to just trying to make things better for my kids. It's not about me - it's about the students. I stay in this field because of the kids and because of just knowing that advocacy is important. My most notable achievement is getting some of our students to graduate and sticking with them until they graduate. That's what drives me and what I consider success.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

The best career advice I've ever received is to try to pick a path and stick to it. A lot of times people think, you know, I don't want to do that because that's not my forever thing. Well, it doesn't have to be your forever thing. You just have to pick a path and stick to it to start with, and if you need to change gears later, change gears. The time is going to pass anyway, so you might as well be working toward something.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

My advice to young women entering education is to prioritize self-care. Make sure you are giving yourself grace, so that when you're tired, you're taking care of that. If you're sick, you're taking care of that. You're not putting the job ahead of your own well-being. This field can be demanding, but you have to take care of yourself first in order to be effective for your students.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

Special education is so much in need of dedicated people who are willing to stick with it. These are some of the most valuable kids in the system who get overlooked quite a bit. The biggest opportunity and challenge right now is finding people who will commit to this work and advocate for these students who need it most.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

The values most important to me in my work and personal life are honesty, integrity, and definitely loyalty. These principles guide everything I do, both professionally and personally.

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