Congratulations Dr. Dean Baker on your National Literacy Leadership Award

March 2, 2018 News
Whendy Smith and Dean Baker
Reading Recovery teacher leader Whendy Smith and Dr. Dean Baker, MSAD 49 superintendent, at the 2018 National Reading Recovery & K-6 Literacy Conference in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Baker accepted an Excellence in Literacy Leadership Award from the Reading Recovery Council of North America at the conference.

The University of Maine Training Center for Reading Recovery and Comprehensive Literacy congratulate Maine School Administrative District 49 Superintendent Dr. Dean Baker on his recent Excellence in Literacy Leadership Award from the Reading Recovery Council of North America.

For nearly three decades, Dr. Baker has provided clear and progressive leadership as superintendent, assistant superintendent, and as Reading Recovery site coordinator for Central Maine. He is recognized for successfully turning around a failing literacy program and is unique among Maine superintendents for having direct responsibility for student curriculum.

Dr. Baker established one of the first training centers in Maine at Benton Elementary School in SAD 49. He has championed the program and provided support through economic and political challenges at both the state government and university levels, including the loss of state funding and changes in leadership that threatened Reading Recovery implementation across the state. In part due to his persistence, Reading Recovery has expanded to serve first graders at 124 schools in 64 districts statewide.

“Dr. Baker’s commitment has been unwavering for over a quarter century,” said Teacher Leader Whendy Smith. “His effective leadership provided for strong system designs, and his unconditional support has provided implementation longevity. There have been many times that he was approached with new initiatives and competing demands for funds, but he redirected any creative thinking back to the core business and the standards of Reading Recovery.”

MSAD 49 is based in Fairfield and serves about 2,200 students in grades K-12 from four rural communities. One of the poorest districts in Maine, it is recognized for outstanding quality education.

Dr. Baker received his award on Sunday Feb. 18 at the 2018 National Reading Recovery & K-6 Literacy Conference in Columbus, Ohio. The University Training Center for Reading Recovery and Comprehensive Literacy thanks him for his years of service to the state and dedication to literacy in Maine, and congratulates him on his award.

To hear Dr. Baker share his insights about Reading Recovery, click here.