The Michigan City Area Schools Board of Trustees held a special meeting on Tuesday, May 24, to approve the appointment of two administrators to fill positions for the 2016-17 school year.
Heidi Brett Baker was named MCAS Director of Special Education. Mrs. Brett Baker most recently served as Director of the Transition and Access Program at the University of Cincinnati. Previously, she was an administrator for special education cooperative districts in Hamilton County and Montgomery County in Ohio.
Mrs. Brett Baker has extensive experience as a school principal and classroom teacher, serving K-12 students with mild, moderate, and emotional disabilities. She began her teaching career in the Porter-Starke Special Education Cooperative.
She holds a Master’s Degree in Education Administration from Xavier University and a B. A. in Elementary Education with a Special Education endorsement from Purdue University Calumet. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Education at the University of Cincinnati, a degree she is on track to earn later in 2016.
“Mrs. Brett Baker impressed the interview team with her deep understanding of special education and her commitment to supporting teachers,” said MCAS Superintendent Dr. Barbara-Eason Watkins. “Her leadership skills and expertise will be an asset to our district in serving our students with special needs.”
Zachary Huber was appointed the principal of Pine Elementary School.
Currently, Mr. Huber serves as Literacy Coach at Marsh Elementary School, a role that involves co-planning, modeling lessons, data analysis, leading professional development, and designing assessments and curricula. He has been a Literacy Coach for MCAS since 2012, also serving in this role at Niemann, which saw significant achievement gains. In 2011, he taught fifth grade at Joy Elementary; previously, he taught grades four and six for the Gary Community School Corporation for close to 10 years.
Mr. Huber holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Indiana University Northwest and a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Bethel College.
“Mr. Huber has been deeply involved in our school improvement efforts over the past few years,” said Dr. Eason-Watkins. “He has a strong educational vision, a clear understanding of the unique character of Pine as an Arts magnet school, and an energetic and thoughtful approach to curriculum and instruction.”