District 86 Names Assistant Superintendent For Academics

HINSDALE, IL — The Hinsdale Township High School District 86 Board of Education has approved the appointment of Dr. Carol K. Baker as the Assistant Superintendent for Academics/Chief Academic Officer, effective Aug. 1. Baker will replace Pam Bylsma, who will retire at the end of October.

The district said Baker currently serves as the Superintendent for Lyons Elementary School District 103. Before Lyons, she served as the Director of Curriculum for Science and Music for Community High School District 218 in Oak Lawn for 10 years. Before moving into administration, Baker taught high school physics and earth science for 18 years in District 218.

“I am thrilled to join District 86 as the next leader of curriculum and instruction,” Baker said in a release. “Its reputation as a district of academic excellence attracts families to the community as well as staff, and that well-deserved reputation is the result of hard work. Following in the footsteps of two very strong curriculum leaders, I am fortunate to have such a solid foundation to build upon and I am eager to work with teachers, department chairs and administrators to advance the excellence in educational opportunities for District 86 students.”

“Carol brings an impressive depth of knowledge and leadership to this position,” Superintendent Dr. Bruce Law said in a rleease. “She understands curriculum as a former teacher and as an administrator, she has been on the forefront of the development and implementation of more rigorous academic standards used nationwide, and she understands the important work of assessment. The fact that she has served in so many roles, including that of superintendent and board member, means that she will have a comprehensive perspective on the many complexities and opportunities involved in continuing the great work we have accomplished in District 86. We know she will continue to build on the District 86 tradition of excellence and the opportunity that tradition provides our students.”

In addition to her teaching and administrative experience, Baker was one of a 41-person national writing team for NGSS, where she developed, wrote, reviewed and edited middle school and high school physical science standards, the district said.

Baker has also written assessment questions and passages for standardized assessments such as the ACT and the former Illinois PSAE high school science test. The district said she was elected president of the Illinois Science Teachers Association from 2011-2013 and served as a member of advisory boards for Wards and the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. In 2014, she assisted a small group of local science leaders in establishing the Northern Illinois Science Educators association, and continues to serve on their board of directors and presents at their conference every year.

Baker received her Bachelor of Science degree in physics and her science teaching certification from Loyola University Chicago. She earned her Master of Arts in educational administration (K-12) from Governors State University and her Doctorate in educational leadership (K-12) from National Louis University in Chicago.

Baker and her husband live in Orland Park. They have two children, a son who lives in Michigan and a daughter who starts college this fall.

Photo provided by District 86.