Caroline Baker
RALEIGH,NC
Summary
Strategic program leader and leadership coach with a proven track record of driving systemic transformation in K–12 education and beyond. Skilled in guiding cross-functional teams and partnering with organizational leaders to align mission-driven frameworks with measurable outcomes. Adept at coaching professionals, facilitating data-informed planning, and delivering high-impact professional development to promote innovation, inclusive practices, and global readiness. Passionate about empowering individuals and institutions to translate vision into action through inquiry-based learning, strategic design, and capacity-building initiatives. Experienced in change management, stakeholder engagement, and cultivating future-ready competencies that prepare learners for success in a dynamic, interconnected world.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Strategy Coach | Program Manager, Global Leaders
Participate Learning
10.2023 - Current
- Partner with school leaders and global committees to align the Global Leaders framework with school improvement goals, creating strategic plans that integrate global learning with real-world career readiness.
- Coach educators in implementing global competencies and action-driven learning, empowering students to engage with local and global issues through inquiry and project-based experiences.
- Facilitate professional development and leadership training that supports inclusive, student-centered teaching practices and shared schoolwide ownership of global learning initiatives.
- Lead ongoing data-driven coaching cycles and monthly check-ins to track progress toward strategic goals and celebrate school and student success.
- Support the development of career-ready graduates by strengthening critical thinking, flexibility, and communication across grade levels and subject areas.
- Guide schools through the Global Leaders designation process by using clearly defined school, teacher, and student indicators to measure growth and impact.
- Elevate teacher voice and leadership through the Global Leaders Community of Practice, spotlighting exemplars and curating ready-to-use global learning resources.
Adapted Curriculum/Special Education Teacher
Wake County Public Schools
08.2015 - 10.2023
- Lead teacher in a self-contained, separate setting classroom with 10-12 individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and 2-3 Instructional Assistants.
- Develop, implement, and manage Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Collect data and monitor progress of students utilizing benchmarks and quarterly reviews to inform instructional decisions.
- Cultivate strong connections with students, families, staff, and community members to foster classroom engagement
- Communicate with cross-practice stakeholders about student progress and updated practices, and as a liaison and advocate at school, county, and state levels.
Curriculum Writer
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
08.2020 - 01.2021
- Served as one of eight educational leaders from across North Carolina to write the Extended Content Standards for the new Economics and Personal Finance course mandated by House Bill 924.
- Worked collaboratively to write new objectives, review public commentary and make revisions, and present to the State Board of Education for approval.
Summer Fellow for Teacher Leadership
Kenan Institute
06.2019 - 06.2020
- Selected as one of 30 teachers from across North Carolina to serve as a 2019-2020 Kenan Summer Fellow
- Participated in 80 hours of professional development and 120 hours of an internship with a Cornerstone Building Brands
- Visited worksites across three states (NC, SC, and VA), interviewed C-suite executives, partnered with community agencies, and researched vocational rehabilitation and hiring methods to make specific project recommendations.
- Created a 49-page original educational product "Creating and Implementing Inclusive Hiring Practices for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Advanced Manufacturing" that outlined the rationale and necessary steps for implementing a viable Disability Employment Initiative.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Special Education
Clemson University
Clemson, SC05-2015
Skills
- Strategic Coaching
- Program Management
- Professional Development
- Building Relationships
- Change Management
- Program Management
- Educational Leadership
- Communication
- Event Coordination
Accomplishments
Wake County Teacher of the Year (2022-23)
Certification
- Get started with Asana (Coursera, 2023)
- Project Management Principles and Practices Specialization (Coursera, 2023)
- Google Project Management (Coursera, 2021_
- National Board Certification- Exceptional Needs Specialist (2019)
Timeline
Strategy Coach | Program Manager, Global Leaders
Participate Learning
10.2023 - Current
Curriculum Writer
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
08.2020 - 01.2021
Summer Fellow for Teacher Leadership
Kenan Institute
06.2019 - 06.2020
Adapted Curriculum/Special Education Teacher
Wake County Public Schools
08.2015 - 10.2023
Bachelor of Arts - Special Education
Clemson University
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