Valorie Baker
Summary
Seasoned Head of School offering 20 years experience in educational leadership positions. Focused on building and enhancing relationships, visionary for growth and development, change catalyst while maintaining school values. Proven positive leadership, maintaining smooth administration of all department operations.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of School
St. Johns Country Day School
Jacksonville, FL
07.2020 - Current
- Developed a positive school culture by fostering strong relationships among faculty, staff, students, and parents.
- Guided strategic planning efforts for long-term visioning and goal-setting by writing and completing a 5 year plan.
- Secured the largest gift in school history to create a foundation securing financial stability.
- Improved overall school performance by implementing data-driven instructional strategies and curriculum design.
- Spearheaded fundraising initiatives to secure additional resources for facility improvements.
- Collaborated with community partners to bring valuable resources and services to support student success.
- Increased student enrollment by effectively creating and marketing unique programs and extracurricular offerings.
- Led the accreditation process for the institution, successfully maintaining high standards of excellence in education.
- Strengthened relationships with local businesses for internships or sponsorships resulting in increased hands-on experience opportunities for students.
- Championed integration of social-emotional learning into curriculum by creating a K-12 Wellness program leading to enhanced emotional intelligence in students.
- Enhanced teacher professional development through targeted workshops, and collaborative planning time.
- implemented new positions and hiring practices to meet school needs and growth.
Head of Middle School
The Webb School
Knoxville, TN
01.2017 - 07.2020
- Directed all aspects of a K-12-day school for 300 middle school students with 40 faculty and staff
- Redesigned academic scope and sequence in math, science and social studies to support a K-12 curriculum
- Instituted the first NJHS chapter
- Instituted the first student council
- Instituted the first middle school Model UN program
- Created faculty professional development programs
- Instituted inaugural staff evaluation and assessment
- Exemplary accreditation report from SAIS
- Rebuilt individual fitness classes into a Wellness Department
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
Director of Auxiliary Programs
Palmer Trinity Episcopal School
Miami, FL
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Created all summer programs in inaugural year 2016
- Courses include academic, athletic and enrichment
- Implemented new after-school programs
- Community outreach representative
- Developed Junior Internship program
- Developed and managed the department budget
- Designed and directed the 6-12 Advisory Program
- Oversaw faculty advisors on the summer curriculum.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
Director of External Affairs and Community Relations
Louisville Collegiate School
Louisville, KY
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Developed and directed inaugural K-8 Athletic Department
- Managed the department budget
- Secured donor partnership with Louisville Slugger
- Developed and implemented K-12 concussion policy
- Leadership committee member for Centennial Celebration.
- Coordinated fundraising events, generating significant financial support for the organization''s programs and services.
- Formulated annual budgets for external affairs initiatives, ensuring optimal allocation of resources to achieve desired outcomes.
Director of Counseling and Student Support Services
Episcopal School of Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL
01.2008 - 01.2013
- Directed the treatment of all mental, and social emotional health issues of students and faculty
- Created and implemented inaugural concussion policy for students return to academic participation and athletics
- Managed all scheduling of make-up work for students following extended absence
- Developed and secured partnership with Jacksonville University School of Education to provide an on-campus tutoring program at ESJ and experience for aspiring teachers
- Faculty Representative to Head of School and Priest
- Instructor of the Upper School Psychology course
- Leadership member for crisis management policy
- Admissions review committee member responsible for reading all applications, evaluating admission and academic readiness for Episcopal
- Directed partnership with an outside psychologist for student evaluations, IEP, and psychoeducational reports
- Managed and directed all recommendations for psycho educational evaluations and mental health referrals
- Advisor for all teachers, parents and students concerning scheduling, course selection and change request
- Designed and instructed leadership courses in grades 6-8.
- Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
- Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
College Admissions Counselor
The Bolles School
Jacksonville, FL
01.2007 - 01.2008
- Directed senior students through the college application process beginning in the junior ending with graduation
- Academic Advisor for course selections and changes
- An Experienced advisor to International students
- Directed and coordinated all recommendations for college application of designated students
- Directed NCAA recruiting workshop for parents and students.
Associate Athletic Director
The Harpeth Hall School
Nashville, TN
01.2005 - 01.2007
- Directed and supervised home athletic events and tournaments
- Managed all scheduling and compliance with THSA
- Recruited and hired athletic team coaches
- Supervised Middle School Athletic Director
- Coordinated all sports information and communication
- Created and implemented Athletic Handbook
- Admissions officer for all incoming athletes
- Academic Advisor for junior and senior level students
- Designed and implemented the curriculum in health education course titled Women's Health Education.
- Fostered a culture of excellence within the athletics department that translated into competitive success across multiple sports programs.
- Collaborated with academic departments to support student-athletes'' academic success alongside their athletic pursuits.
- Managed budgets effectively, ensuring financial sustainability for all sports teams within the department.
- Developed strong relationships with key stakeholders to secure additional funding for athletics programs.
Head Volleyball Coach
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC
01.2000 - 01.2005
- Managed all facets of a NCAA Division 1 program
- Oversaw and directed four staff assistants
- Managed admissions requirements for student-athletes
- Maintained open-door policy with volleyball players, enabling free discuss of concerns or issues without fear of reprisal.
- Expanded visibility of the program by building relationships with local media outlets.
- Solicited and secured donations for facility renovation
- NCAA representative for recertification of Wake Forest
- All region selection committee member for the ACC
- Coached both All-America and All Region candidates
- Finished seasons in top three of the ACC within 1 year
- Managed budget effectively, allocating resources for travel expenses, equipment purchases, and facility rentals.
- Oversaw all training and player position development
- Director, CFO of Wake Forest volleyball camps.
- Strengthened relationships with alumni, boosting their involvement in supporting current players and teams.
- Recruited top talent from local high schools and clubs contributing to a competitive and successful team roster.
Assistant Volleyball Coach
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC
01.1996 - 01.2000
- Assisted head coach in the development of inaugural volleyball program from a ten-year absence
- Senior recruiter for the volleyball program
- Coordinated travel arrangements for away games, managing logistics such as transportation, accommodations, and meal planning.
- Assisted head coach with all on court training
- Managed student-athlete University admissions and NCAA compliance
- NCAA Certified Division I coach
- Developed and managed the program budget
- Director, CFO of Wake Forest volleyball camps.
- Assisted in organizing team-building activities such as community service projects, fostering a strong sense of camaraderie among athletes.
- Mentored student-athletes in balancing academic pursuits with athletic commitments, promoting academic success alongside athletic achievements.
Assistant Volleyball Coach
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY
01.1992 - 01.1996
- Promoted teamwork among players by emphasizing collaboration both on and off the court during practices and competitions.
- Mentored student-athletes in balancing academic pursuits with athletic commitments, promoting academic success alongside athletic achievements.
- Senior on-campus recruiter for the volleyball program
- Monitored academic progression of student-athletes
- Director of recruiting National and International athletes
- Directed all nutrition, strength and conditioning training
- Site manager of Cardinal Volleyball camps grades 3-12.
Education
M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology -
University of Louisville
Louisville, KYB.A Speech Communications -
Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KYVanderbilt University
Nashville, TNSkills
- Fundraising strategies
- Visionary Thinking
- Strategic leadership
- Crisis Management
- Fiscal Management
- Strong Work Ethic
- Decision-Making
- Relationship Building
Recognitions And Memberships
- NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools)
- SAIS (Southern Association of Independent Schools)
- Palmetto Bay Academic Advisor Mayors committee Miami, Florida- 2017
- FCIS (Florida Council of Independent Schools)
- Preliminary Women's Board member of Wolfson Hospital, Jacksonville, FL
Publications
- Equestrian Magazine, Nashville, TN, NCAA 101, Published Article on NCAA emerging sports, Spring 2007
- Voice Tribune Magazine, Louisville, KY, Multi-Sport Athletes in a Specialized World, Published Article on youth sports, May 2015
Timeline
Head of School
St. Johns Country Day School
07.2020 - Current
Head of Middle School
The Webb School
01.2017 - 07.2020
Director of Auxiliary Programs
Palmer Trinity Episcopal School
01.2015 - 01.2017
Director of External Affairs and Community Relations
Louisville Collegiate School
01.2013 - 01.2015
Director of Counseling and Student Support Services
Episcopal School of Jacksonville
01.2008 - 01.2013
College Admissions Counselor
The Bolles School
01.2007 - 01.2008
Associate Athletic Director
The Harpeth Hall School
01.2005 - 01.2007
Head Volleyball Coach
Wake Forest University
01.2000 - 01.2005
Assistant Volleyball Coach
Wake Forest University
01.1996 - 01.2000
Assistant Volleyball Coach
University of Louisville
01.1992 - 01.1996
M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology -
University of Louisville
B.A Speech Communications -
Eastern Kentucky University
Vanderbilt University