Callie Baker is teacher of the year

NORWALK — Callie Baker is the 2023 Teacher of the Year. She is an intervention specialist, student council adviser and sources of strength Adviser at Norwalk Middle School. The honor was voted on by the Norwalk Teachers' Association. Baker was nominated by a colleague, who had these words to say: "She builds an environment in her classroom in which students feel as though they can succeed. Even if they've never felt so before, they find a leader in Mrs. Baker who they can believe in. Mrs. Baker is the first person in the lives of some of her students to make them feel like they have value, to make them feel like they can be successful, and to make them understand that past failures don't need to stand for their entire future. "She lets them know that even if they don't feel safe outside it, they are 100% safe and cared for in her room. Her influence and leadership are so positive, they can't be contained in her classroom. "She has nothing but love and positivity in her heart for her students and fellow staff, and she works tirelessly before, during, and after school to share that love with them. And it's working. She improves the climate and culture of every room and every building she's in."