Jill R.S. Baker

Experienced education leader and Social and Emotional Learning specialist with more than two decades of experience advancing K–12 teaching, coaching, and districtwide professional learning. I bring expertise in designing transformative adult learning experiences, leading systemic SEL implementation, and curating professional events from vision to execution. Skilled at coordinating speakers and building deliberative, cohesive participant learning pathways.

• Selected for the inaugural MNPS Teacher Leadership Institute, a competitive program for emerging leaders focused on instructional leadership, SEL integration, and adult learning.
• Chosen for a districtwide mentoring initiative, supporting new teachers in a high-needs school and contributing to improved teacher instructional quality and retention.
• Served as a cooperating teacher for student teachers, mentoring pre-service educators in instructional design, and classroom management.
• Awarded a grant to complete professional training through Mindful Schools, strengthening expertise in mindfulness-based SEL practices to support educator well-being and student development.
• Served on the Alignment Nashville Food Service Committee, which organized healthy changes for all students and the Mental Health Committee, who plans and organizes the district SEL conference.

English as a Second Language Certification

Administrator's License

Conference & Programming Leadership

MNPS SEL Conference – Alignment Nashville Collaboration | 2016–present

• Co-design annual conference program structure and themes, curating breakout sessions and sequencing participant learning journeys aligned with district priorities.
• Lead session proposal and reviewer committee processes, ensuring alignment with conference goals and selection of high-quality sessions.
• Member of a team that sought to identify and support keynote and featured speakers through briefings, coaching, and rehearsal processes.
• Present yearly on topics including adult SEL, emotional intelligence in leadership, and school climate practices.

District & School Convenings (MNPS) | 2016-present

• Coordinate professional learning events, pre-conference sessions, and experiential programming to build adult SEL capacity and strengthen educator practice.
• Partner with curriculum and instruction, student support services, and research teams to ensure seamless event execution and high-quality participant experiences.
• Collaborate with school leaders and community presenters to co-create and facilitate differentiated learning at the school level.

Strategic Planning for Community Events | 2003–2020

• Served on strategic planning teams for community-based events serving hundreds of participants, contributing expertise in program design, content curation, and attendee experience.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop event vision, align programming with organizational goals, and manage complex project timelines.
• Supported speaker identification and coordination, breakout session design, and experiential learning components that deepened participant engagement.
• Applied principles of adult learning to ensure sessions were inclusive, impactful, and aligned with overarching event themes.