Melissa Bailey Photo
“You are going to have mad fun in her class, but she’ll always know if you’re trying to play her.”
That’s what one student had to say about Zakiyyah Baker, who teaches social studies at Cooperative Arts and Humanities Magnet High School.
Baker (pictured), who’s 30, was named Monday as the New Haven Public School’s Teacher of the Year for 2010.
She said she’s been teaching with the district for seven years. The school she teaches in draws students from surrounding towns.
Baker said the highlight last year was teaching an honors class of students from diverse backgrounds, suburban and urban. While suburban kids typically show up more prepared for the course than the New Haven kids do, all the students in that class “brought their A game,” she said.
She said she tries to create a classroom environment where “the rigor is there, but kids also get a voice.”
Congratulations, Ms. Baker! As a colleague of hers, I see her truly making a difference in students' lives on a daily basis. Whether it's through holding high expectations for every student in her classes or mentoring the After School Hip-Hop club, Ms. Baker is a tremendous asset to our students and our district. It should also be mentioned that Ms. Baker is herself an alumnus of Co-Op!