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To build confidence and self discipline, to develop talent
To build confidence and self discipline, to develop talent
My Philosophy
All people are born with the natural desire to play act, reenacting life. It is my job to ignite and channel this energy and enthusiasm, as I seek out and apply varied teaching strategies which are based on best educational practice and theatre arts techniques that meet the wide range of learning needs of my students. Every drama classroom experience is a stepping stone toward a broader purpose. I strive to help students understand that purpose as it relates to them, setting meaningful, attainable goals based on assessment of individual abilities. I have found that when students feel a sense of purpose, accomplishment, and self-worth within meaningful experiences with attainable goals, they are more motivated and successful. My hope is to motivate and inspire actors, meeting them at their ability level and addressing their wide range of skills and needs. The first step toward building acting skills is to build trust. I help students build confidence and develop respect and support for each other. Only then can they work toward developing their talent. Finally, instruction in the dramatic arts, paired with sound education based instruction, offers a great opportunity to integrate what is being taught in the classroom school wide and provides more connections and meaningful experiences for students in our rigorous academics at The Burlington School.
All people are born with the natural desire to play act, reenacting life. It is my job to ignite and channel this energy and enthusiasm, as I seek out and apply varied teaching strategies which are based on best educational practice and theatre arts techniques that meet the wide range of learning needs of my students. Every drama classroom experience is a stepping stone toward a broader purpose. I strive to help students understand that purpose as it relates to them, setting meaningful, attainable goals based on assessment of individual abilities. I have found that when students feel a sense of purpose, accomplishment, and self-worth within meaningful experiences with attainable goals, they are more motivated and successful. My hope is to motivate and inspire actors, meeting them at their ability level and addressing their wide range of skills and needs. The first step toward building acting skills is to build trust. I help students build confidence and develop respect and support for each other. Only then can they work toward developing their talent. Finally, instruction in the dramatic arts, paired with sound education based instruction, offers a great opportunity to integrate what is being taught in the classroom school wide and provides more connections and meaningful experiences for students in our rigorous academics at The Burlington School.
- Bethany Baker, MEd.
Theatre Experience
Theatre Experience
Bethany Baker has directed and acted in amateur and professional theatre in the area for almost thirty years. Before becoming the drama teacher at Burlington Day School in 1999, Mrs. Baker ran an after school drama program at South Graham Elementary, was hired as the assistant director of Teen-to-Teen Theatre, and soon thereafter was promoted to director of Teen-to-Teen Theatre, where she gained notoriety for the organization’s performances in area public schools. She directed many plays for Alamance Children’s Theatre and The Gallery Players, among other groups, and gained notoriety as a director in the area. She has been heavily influenced by Fred Rubeck, Chairman of the Theatre Arts Department at Elon University, Richard Gang, also of Elon University, and John Walker, founder of Walkerdance, as well as the Stanislavsky approach and the work of Viola Spolin. She continues to maintain her standing in the community and hone her skills, by taking roles (when they do not interfere with the school year) in local amateur and professional theatres which include, Studio 1, the Paramount Acting Co. at the Paramount Theater, The Gallery Players, and at the famous Barn Dinner Theater in Greensboro. She most recently directed Studio 1's productions of Shalespeare's The Tempest and Antony and Cleopatra.
Bethany Baker has directed and acted in amateur and professional theatre in the area for almost thirty years. Before becoming the drama teacher at Burlington Day School in 1999, Mrs. Baker ran an after school drama program at South Graham Elementary, was hired as the assistant director of Teen-to-Teen Theatre, and soon thereafter was promoted to director of Teen-to-Teen Theatre, where she gained notoriety for the organization’s performances in area public schools. She directed many plays for Alamance Children’s Theatre and The Gallery Players, among other groups, and gained notoriety as a director in the area. She has been heavily influenced by Fred Rubeck, Chairman of the Theatre Arts Department at Elon University, Richard Gang, also of Elon University, and John Walker, founder of Walkerdance, as well as the Stanislavsky approach and the work of Viola Spolin. She continues to maintain her standing in the community and hone her skills, by taking roles (when they do not interfere with the school year) in local amateur and professional theatres which include, Studio 1, the Paramount Acting Co. at the Paramount Theater, The Gallery Players, and at the famous Barn Dinner Theater in Greensboro. She most recently directed Studio 1's productions of Shalespeare's The Tempest and Antony and Cleopatra.
For a complete acting resume contact Mrs. Baker at bbaker@theburlingtonschool.org.
For a complete acting resume contact Mrs. Baker at bbaker@theburlingtonschool.org.
as Margaret in Much Ado About Nothing, Studio 1
as The Witch in Into the Woods, Gallery Players
as Monette "Antoinette" in Always a Bridesmaid, Paramount Acting Co. & Barn Dinner Theater
Bethany Baker resides in Graham with her husband, Joe Baker. Their children are both alumni of the TBS school community. Daughter, Margit Briggs (BDS 2008, TES 2011), graduated in 2015 from UNC Asheville with a major in art and currently works at SECU in Asheville as a Mortgage Loan Officer. Son, Austin Baker (BDS 2012), is currently attending ACC and working at Pool Pros as supervisor of Residential Pool Services.
Teaching Experience
Teaching Experience
2013 to present The Burlington School, Burlington NC
Drama Teacher
· Drama class - Design curriculum and implement instruction for kindergarten through 4th grades
· Design curriculum and implement instruction for 5th through 8th grade drama elective course
· Producer and Director of all elements of the Theatre Program; Responsible for design, organization, and direction of all production elements of
yearly Spring Musical Productions at Paramount Theatre
· Supervise contracted staff for Musical Production
· Coordinate with staff to provide integrated instruction related to themes in play productions
· Design curriculum and implement instruction for performance based Shakespeare Summer School courses for 3rd - 8th grades.
Technology Catalyst
· Assist in implementation of technology with teachers and students
· Facilitate instruction through research and training with teachers
2013 to 2014 The Burlington School, Burlington NC
Media Center
· Coordinate and implement programs in media center, including independent reading program and technology
· Facilitate library scheduling and operations to meet needs of students and classes
· Redesign spaces to best meet the needs of teachers in their library instruction
· Study Skills for 6th Grade - Design curriculum and implement instruction
2011 to 2013 The Elon School, Elon, NC
Drama Teacher
· Initiated school wide drama program, “Commodore Players”
· Design curriculum and implement instruction for high school drama class.
· Produced full length play in venue outside the school campus for the purpose of extending performance experience for the students as well as,
exposing the school to the larger community and marketing the school
· Implemented a variety of methods to attract and expose students to drama, such as producing videos, scheduling performances, and teaching Emersion term classes geared toward student interest
English Teacher, Ninth and Twelfth Grades
· Student Advisor
· Freshman Class Advisor
· English Department Coordinator
· Initiated portfolios as authentic assessment for English classes and led English department to hold a school wide portfolio day
· Implemented English 9 novel studies curriculum with themes to compliment history class studies of ancient civilizations
· Implemented holistic, cohesive grammar and mechanics curriculum to help students improve writing skills in English 9
· Developed holistic, cohesive writing skills program in English 12 to facilitate writing effective college essays
· Expanded English 12 literature instruction centered around masterpieces of the theatre
2010 to 2011 The Elon School, Elon, NC
English Teacher, Ninth and Twelfth Grades, Writing Teacher, Tenth Grade
· Designed English 9 novel studies curriculum with themes to compliment history class studies of ancient civilizations
· Developed holistic, cohesive grammar and mechanics curriculum to help students improve writing skills in English 9
· Developed English 12 literature instruction centered around masterpieces of the theatre Burlington Day School, Burlington, NC
Sixth Grade Language Arts Teacher
2005 to 2010 Burlington Day School, Burlington, NC
Fourth Grade Teacher
· Instituted integrated curriculum program involving all areas of study in a “field study trip” for the 4th grade to the Outer Banks of N. C.
· Initiated collaborative professional development between 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teachers to enhance consistency of curriculum and transitions between grade levels
· Redesigned 4th grade curriculum to integrate English and Math skills into content area learning and employed strategies to meet the varying individual needs of students
1999 to 2013 Burlington Day School, Burlington, NC
Drama Teacher
· Responsible for after-school drama workshops to develop acting, performance skills, and appreciation of theatrical arts
· Producer and Director of all elements of the Theatre Program; Responsible for design, organization, and direction of all production elements of yearly Spring Musical Productions at Paramount Theatre
· Supervise contracted staff for Musical Production
· Coordinate with staff to provide integrated instruction related to themes in play productions
· Design curriculum and implement instruction for 6th through 8th grade drama elective course
· Design curriculum and implement instruction for performance based Shakespeare Summer School courses for 3rd through 8th grades.
· Coordinated effort with Alamance Children's Theatre, The Gallery Players, and Burlington Day School to raise funds and improve the sound quality in The Paramount Theatre by moving speakers off the stage floor and mounting on walls above the proscenium.
2001 to 2004 Outreach & Prevention Services of Alamance, Inc., Burlington, NC
Director, Teen-to-Teen Theatre
· Responsible for direction of teen actors in all rehearsals and performances
· Responsible for performance management and coordination, publicity, marketing, development and conceptualization of new materials, and expansion of services
· Responsible for expansion of program to Cummings High School and Broadview Middle School area
· Initiated focus on performances tailored to school curriculum and improved public school relationships and communications
· Supervised part time Theatre Arts interns from Elon University as well as supervising all community service workers
· Collaborated with local United Way agencies to make Teen to Teen Theatre an instrumental part of Red Ribbon Week in Alamance County elementary schools
· Wrote and was awarded grant to help fund purchase of sound system in order to reach a wider audience and increase performance possibilities
2000 to 2001 Outreach & Prevention Services of Alamance, Inc., Burlington, NC
Assistant Director, Teen-to-Teen Theatre
· Responsible for direction of all rehearsals and performances
· Responsible for performance management and coordination, publicity, marketing, development and conceptualization of new materials
1999 Next Renaissance Education Center, Burlington, NC
Reading Tutor
· Responsible for Assessment, Diagnosis, and Remediation of reading for two first grade students.
· Responsible for development of curriculum for a reading tutorial program based on needs of first grade students.
1994 to 1999 Alamance Burlington School System, Burlington, NC
Substitute Teacher (K-6)
1987 to 1990 Kiser Middle School, Greensboro, NC
Language Arts Teacher, Eighth Grade
· Team Leader (1989-90) responsible for leadership of five member team of teachers, planning of the team, and working with other grade level team leaders to develop and implement goals for the eighth grade
· Collaborated to develop integrated curriculum program involving all areas of study in field study trip for the 8th grade
· Produced a melodrama with basic level eighth grade Language Arts students to develop reading and language fluency, enhance creative writing experience, motivate learning, and build self-esteem.
· Cheerleader Sponsor (1989-90)
1986 to 1987 Kiser Middle School, Greensboro, NC
Language Arts, Social Studies and Science Teacher, Seventh Grade
Contact Mrs. Baker at bbaker@theburlingtonschool.org for Theatrical Resume'.
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