Carol L. Baird

 

Formal Education:

• Wood Junior College, AA Degree - Liberal Arts, 1962-1964
• Millsaps College, BA Degree - Elementary Education, 1964-1966
• Mississippi College, MEd Degree - Elementary Education, 1966-1968
• AAA Certification – Elementary Education, 1972-1973
• National Board Certified Teacher, November 2001

Teaching Experience:

• Jackson Public Schools, Jackson, MS, First/Second Grades, 1966-1977
• Clinton Public Schools, Clinton, MS, First Grade, 1977-1978
• Jackson Public Schools, Jackson, MS, First Grade, 1978-2006
• Mt. Salus Christian School, Clinton, MS, Second Grade, 2006-2008

Professional Development:

• Science Professional Development Presenter, 2002-present
• FOSS Science Kit Facilitator, 2001-2006
• National Science Teacher Association Session Participant, 2003-2006
• Introduction to Inquiry Seminar, February 2003, San Francisco, CA
• Increasing Inquiry in Kit-based and Hands-on Curricula Seminar, February 2004, San Francisco, CA

Professional Service

• John Hopkins Elementary PTA Officer, 1999-2004
• Jackson Public Schools In-service Presenter, 2001-2004
• Project Seed Teacher Leader, 2001-2005
• New Teacher Mentor Program, 2001-2003
• Cooperating Teacher, Student Teachers in 2001,2002, and 2004
• National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Southern Regional Conference Participant, March 2000
• North American Native Fish Association (NANFA) member 2003-2004
• Presenter at Mississippi Science Teacher Conference, 2002-2004
• Researched/Authored National Board Certification Portfolio, 2000-2001
• Researched/Authored Science Mini-Units for first grade teachers, 2002-2003
• Developed Science/Literature Activities for Elem. Teachers, 2003-2004
• “Great American Clean-up” Chairman, 2003, 2004, 2005
• Web Site Sponsor for John Hopkins Elementary, 2002-2006
• Assessor for Disney Hand Teacher Award Applications, February 2006 

Awards, Grants, Professional Organizations:

• 2004 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching
• 2004-05 Mississippi Science Teacher Association, Teacher of the Year
• 2005 DisneyHand Teacher Award
• Project NEED Teacher of the Year, 2005
• Sunshine Award Teacher of the Week, 2007
• Sunshine Award Teacher of the Year, 2007
• Local Wal Mart Teacher of the Year, 2007
• Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, 2004-2005
• Education Trust Fund Grants, 1994-2003, total of 17 grants awarded
• Junior League Grants, 1996-2005, total of 12 grants awarded
• Parents for Public Schools, Outstanding Educator, 2002
• Lysol/NSTA “Science and Your Health Challenge” Award Winner, 2003
• Project NEED Scrapbook, Finalist, Primary Level School of the Year, 2005
• PTA Volunteer of the Year, 2000
• Mississippi Science Teachers Association
• National Science Teachers Association
• National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
• International Reading Association
• Jackson Area Reading Council
• Society of Elementary Presidential Awardees, 2005-08
• Across the Curriculum Inquiry-based lessons

Other Educational Classroom Activities:

• Computer Anatomy Project (using tools to take apart and identify components of CPUs)
• Amphibian Development Project
• Observation Studies Using Live Organisms
• Community Support (Classroom speakers and project support from local scientists and other expert citizens)

Community Activities:

• First United Methodist Church,  Children’s Community member
• Neighborhood Volunteer for Diabetes Assn., American Lung Assn., March of Dimes, American Cancer Association
• Clinton Nature Center, Monthly Volunteer – “Nature Nuts” Series, Saturday Hands-On Academy
• Clinton Nature Center Board Member: 2005-2008