Alan Baker
West River,MD
Summary
Professional School Counselor with over 20 years of experience in fostering social-emotional learning and student self-efficacy. Managed a caseload of 270 students, delivering individual counseling and group sessions to enhance academic and personal growth. Collaborated with Equity and Wellness teams, ensuring student-centered support within diverse educational settings. Specialized in integrating experiential learning and project-based approaches, empowering students to cultivate empathy, self-awareness, and resilience.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Professional School Counselor
Southern High School, AACPS
Harwood, MD
09.2022 - Current
- Develop and implement a comprehensive school counseling program at AACPS. Foster relationships with students and staff to enhance academic and social/emotional well-being. Manage a caseload of 270 students, ensuring post-secondary success through individual counseling, group sessions, and classroom lessons.
- Collaborated with Equity, ELL, Wellness, and PBIS teams to enhance faculty development.
- Coordinated with administration and faculty to align services with school mission.
- Mentored Robotics Team, providing guidance and support.
Guide Trainer & Guide
Kailua Beach Adventures
Kailua, HI
07.2021 - 06.2022
- Developed an efficient administrative framework and innovative training curriculum for a leading ocean adventure company. Focused on enhancing technical skills while embedding environmental and cultural sustainability into staff practices.
- Overhauled policy manual, tour tracking tools, and guide evaluation processes.
- Created digital training resource covering Hawaiian mythology, marine biology, and geological history.
- Established first Cultural Liaison position to support indigenous tradition education.
- Led 3–6 hour ocean kayak excursions in diverse seasonal conditions.
Associate Director – Programs, Assessment, and Facilities
Loyola University Maryland
Baltimore, MD
07.2012 - 02.2021
- Supervised professional staff across Recreational Sports, managing Outdoor Adventures, Club Sports, Fitness, Marketing, and Business Operations. Delivered strategic vision for 12,000+ annual student programming days and navigated complex departmental infrastructures.
- Directed Outdoor Adventure Experience, implementing 350+ trips across seven disciplines.
- Mentored 30 student volunteer leaders annually; 39 transitioned to professional education roles.
- Oversaw a $1.3M departmental budget, including $240,000 for Club Sports and Outdoor.
- Chaired departmental mission and vision revisions, leading Diversity and Inclusion Assessment.
Graduate Intern
School Counseling Internships & Practicum
Baltimore, MD
09.2016 - 12.2018
- Completed 700 hours of clinical experience in various K-12 settings. Utilised experiential education to equip students with college and career readiness tools.
- Facilitated small groups and classroom lessons for 300 students at Edmondson Westside High.
- Delivered lessons on communication and study habits for 250 students at Dumbarton Middle.
- Implemented team-building activities focused on career readiness for high school learners at Overlea High.
General Contractor / Owner
Baker Contracting and Design
Oakland, CA
01.2009 - 06.2012
- Owned and operated a full-service general contracting business, overseeing project management and organisational health. Ensured client satisfaction through effective communication and precise budget development. Managed operational functions, including accounting and marketing.
- Coordinated with vendors, subcontractors, and city officials to execute complex construction projects.
- Drove business growth through meticulous estimating practices.
Foreman/Carpenter
Stob & Company Contracting
Severna Park, MD
04.2003 - 09.2007
- Supervised a crew of five carpenters on high-end custom additions and residential renovations. Acted as primary onsite contact for clients, ensuring architectural designs were executed accurately and client satisfaction remained paramount. Managed daily operations and task delegation to uphold project timelines. Interfaced with clients, architects, and general contractors to resolve design challenges and ensure accuracy.
- Oversaw quality control for complex residential construction projects.
- Ensured onsite safety protocols were consistently followed.
Outdoor Instructor/Guide
Palisades High School
International/Domestic
05.2003 - 05.2006
- Planned and executed domestic and international expeditions in remote environments, spanning the southwestern U.S. to the Galapagos Islands. Delivered tailored technical instruction addressing the developmental needs of adolescents. Fostered safe and engaging experiences for students aged 14-18 while enhancing their outdoor skills.
- Led students on international expeditions in Ecuador, the US Southwest, and the Caribbean.
- Developed curriculum-based outdoor education in unsupported wilderness areas.
- Adapted teaching styles to accommodate diverse learning profiles among student cohorts.
Lead Instructor to Associate Program Director
Hurricane Island Outward Bound School (HIOBS)
Baltimore, MD
05.1998 - 04.2003
- Directed all land-based operations, including climbing, canoeing, and backpacking programs, prioritizing safety and staff excellence.
- Oversaw staff development in outdoor education theory and wilderness medical scenarios.
- Co-authored key sections of the HIOBS Staff Manual, establishing protocols.
- Oversaw technical design and safety for all high-element activities, including ropes courses and top-rope rock sites.
- Supervised field instructors, ensuring high course quality, student impact, and rigorous safety standards. Designed and facilitated staff trainings, integrating technical skills with conflict resolution.
- Planned and implemented 3–21 day wilderness expeditions for students aged 11–18 from diverse backgrounds.
- Focused curriculum on using wilderness to enhance essential life skills like communication and resilience.
- Delivered experiential lessons on conflict resolution, leadership, and personal discovery.
Rock and Rope Specialist
Hurricane Island Outward Bound School (HIOBS)
05.1999 - 04.2003
- Oversaw technical design and safety for all high-element activities, including ropes courses and top-rope rock sites. Ensured field staff met safety and competency standards while maintaining rigorous safety protocols.
- Trained and evaluated field staff in technical roping and belay systems.
- Conducted procurement and safety inspections of technical hardware, including harnesses and ropes.
- Developed and implemented action learning courses to challenge student groups through vertical movement.
Course Director – Land
Hurricane Island Outward Bound School (HIOBS)
05.2000 - 11.2001
- Supervised field instructors, ensuring high course quality, student impact, and rigorous safety standards. Designed and facilitated staff trainings, integrating technical skills with conflict resolution.
- Conducted professional development workshops on experiential education and wilderness medical simulations.
- Orchestrated seasonal staff trainings for spring, summer, and fall cohorts, maintaining operational readiness.
- Organized staff expeditions to promote technical mastery and team cohesion.
Lead Instructor – Land
Hurricane Island Outward Bound School (HIOBS)
05.1998 - 05.2000
- Planned and implemented 3–21 day wilderness expeditions for students aged 11–18 from diverse backgrounds. Focused curriculum on using wilderness to enhance essential life skills like communication and resilience. Mentored assistant instructors and interns, fostering their professional development. Delivered experiential lessons on conflict resolution, leadership, and personal discovery.
- Guided multi-discipline courses in backpacking, canoeing, and rock climbing.
- Facilitated solo reflection experiences, promoting self-awareness and growth.
- Enhanced team dynamics through effective mentorship and supervision.
Program Coordinator - GRAB
Gettysburg College
Gettysburg, PA
09.1997 - 05.1998
- Supervised lead facilitators from the Gettysburg Recreational Adventure Board (GRAB) in outdoor adventure based activities, including backpacking, climbing, caving and a high ropes course.
- Co-facilitated staff training and development for a staff of 27.
- Assisted in teaching a credited course through Gettysburg College in ropes course facilitation.
- Additional duties included: organized rental program, wrote first draft of a staff manual, bookkeeping, billing, equipment orders, and aligning pro-deal contracts.
Wilderness Instructor Intern
Blackwater Outdoor Experiences
Midlothian, VA
05.1997 - 09.1997
- Planned and executed 22-day expeditions for students aged 14-18, merging high-adventure activities with therapeutic processing. Facilitated nightly debriefs and performed aftercare analysis to enhance participant growth.
- Co-facilitated group meetings addressing interpersonal conflicts and individual development.
- Instructed technical skills in whitewater kayaking, rafting, caving, backpacking, and ropes course facilitation.
- Conducted aftercare treatment analysis for smooth transitions to home environments.
Education
Master of Arts - School Counseling
Loyola University, Maryland
Baltimore, MD06.2018
Masters Plus - School Counseling
Loyola University, Maryland
Baltimore, MD06.2019
Bachelor of Science - Recreation and Leisure Services
Radford University
Radford, VASkills
- Individual Counseling
- Inclusivity Work
- Small Group Facilitation
- Learning Design
- Scheduling & Credit Count
- Experiential Education
- Staff Supervision
- Budget Management
Certification
- Advanced Professional Certificate, School Counselor - State of Maryland, 6/2030
- Wilderness First Responder (since 1996), Wilderness Medical Associates, 6/2027
- CPR and Emergency Cardiac Health Care Providers Course, American Heart Assoc., 6/2027
- Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), National Board of Certified Counselors, 2024
- Level 3 River Canoe Instructor (Tandem and Solo), American Canoe Association, 12/2025
- Level 4 Whitewater Canoe Instructor, American Canoe Association, 12/2022
- Level 4 Swift Water Rescue Instructor, American Canoe Association, 12/2022
- Level 2 Paddleboard Instructor, American Canoe Association, 12/2022
- Single Pitch Instructor (SPI), American Mountain Guides, 3/2021
- AIARE Level 1: Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain, LTCC, 2/2011
- Wilderness-EMT, Wilderness Medicine Institute, 1/2001
Timeline
Professional School Counselor
Southern High School, AACPS
09.2022 - Current
Guide Trainer & Guide
Kailua Beach Adventures
07.2021 - 06.2022
Graduate Intern
School Counseling Internships & Practicum
09.2016 - 12.2018
Associate Director – Programs, Assessment, and Facilities
Loyola University Maryland
07.2012 - 02.2021
General Contractor / Owner
Baker Contracting and Design
01.2009 - 06.2012
Outdoor Instructor/Guide
Palisades High School
05.2003 - 05.2006
Foreman/Carpenter
Stob & Company Contracting
04.2003 - 09.2007
Course Director – Land
Hurricane Island Outward Bound School (HIOBS)
05.2000 - 11.2001
Rock and Rope Specialist
Hurricane Island Outward Bound School (HIOBS)
05.1999 - 04.2003
Lead Instructor to Associate Program Director
Hurricane Island Outward Bound School (HIOBS)
05.1998 - 04.2003
Lead Instructor – Land
Hurricane Island Outward Bound School (HIOBS)
05.1998 - 05.2000
Program Coordinator - GRAB
Gettysburg College
09.1997 - 05.1998
Wilderness Instructor Intern
Blackwater Outdoor Experiences
05.1997 - 09.1997
Master of Arts - School Counseling
Loyola University, Maryland
Masters Plus - School Counseling
Loyola University, Maryland
Bachelor of Science - Recreation and Leisure Services
Radford University