Meet the Superintendent

Superintendent Dr. John Baker and student

Dr. John Baker, Ed.D., is an educator who has devoted his life to the field of education, leaving an indelible mark on the Redwood City School District (RCSD) and the communities it serves.
Born in Oakland, California, his journey in education began with a unique childhood marked by constant relocation due to his father’s service in the Air Force and subsequent career as a corporate attorney. This early exposure to diverse environments undoubtedly contributed to Dr. Baker’s commitment to multicultural education.

While Dr. Baker initially pursued a career in political science, inspired by his father’s footsteps as an attorney, his path took an unexpected turn. It was during his college years at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) that he discovered his true calling. Tutoring students in East Los Angeles, as part of community service requirements at UCLA, revealed to him the pressing need for educators who could make a difference in the lives of young learners. Driven by this realization, he switched his major to early childhood education and Spanish, recognizing the potential to impact students’ lives in a profound way.

After earning his Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA, Dr. Baker’s journey continued with a Master’s degree from Stanford University, and a Doctorate of Education from the University of San Francisco.

Dr. Baker’s professional career began four decades ago as a Kindergarten teacher at Garfield School, where he quickly forged strong connections with the community. This early experience provided him with an in-depth understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the education system. Throughout his career, Dr. Baker expanded his impact by teaching students across various grade levels, leaving a lasting impression on their educational journeys.

One of Dr. Baker’s proudest moments was when a student he had guided came forward to announce their acceptance into college. This student was the first in their family to graduate from high school and pursue a degree in engineering, a testament to Dr. Baker's transformative impact on individual lives.

His dedication to the well-being of students and the enhancement of the education system motivated him to transition into leadership roles. He served as an assistant principal at the then Selby Lane School and eventually ascended to the position of principal at both Selby Lane and Hoover schools.

Dr. Baker’s ascent within the Redwood City School District continued as he took on pivotal roles at the District Office, where he served as director, assistant superintendent, and deputy superintendent. His visionary leadership, collaborative approach, and unwavering dedication to student success were increasingly recognized, culminating in his appointment as Superintendent in 2015.

As the Superintendent of the Redwood City School District, Dr. Baker brought his wealth of experience, innovative ideas, and deep community understanding to the forefront. His tenure has been marked by a relentless commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, to ensure that every student has access to a high-quality education.

Under Dr. Baker’s leadership, the district has achieved significant milestones:

He has seen the successful implementation of various academic programs aimed at enhancing student achievement, fostering family engagement, and supporting teacher professional development.
Dr. Baker's commitment to technology integration and innovative teaching methods has positioned the district as a pioneer in 21st Century education.
Dr. Baker is also a passionate advocate for the social and emotional well-being of students, recognizing the vital connection between academic success and overall development.
Dr. Baker has worked tirelessly to forge partnerships with local businesses and community organizations, creating opportunities for students beyond the classroom and nurturing a sense of community and civic responsibility.

In Dr. Baker’s view, public education is a cornerstone of opportunity for every child in the community, offering a path to a better future. He firmly believes in the power of education to uplift students and sees the importance of a free, public education system accessible to all. Throughout his years of service in the Redwood City School District, Dr. Baker has witnessed countless students beat the odds and achieve success, thanks to the dedication of great teachers and the support of a caring community. In fact, many of Dr. Baker’s former students are now teachers and staff members in the school district.

Dr. John Baker’s life story is one of dedication, transformation, and a relentless commitment to the betterment of education for all. His commitment to the Redwood City School District continues to inspire future generations of educators and students, embodying the idea that education can change lives and communities.

What was your first job in RCSD?

What were the biggest challenges facing the Redwood City School District at that time?

There was declining enrollment and when I started the District had just closed and sold some schools. The demographics were also changing. More students were coming from México and we needed to meet their needs since many were not able to speak English. Over the years, I have seen our district become expert at helping students reach proficiency in English. This year we celebrated more than 700 students reaching the same level of proficiency as if they were native English speakers.

What was the district like when you were first hired, and what was Redwood City like?

During that time students walked to their neighborhood school or rode their bike and there was no traffic congestion during morning and afternoon dismissal. Also, there were very few after school programs for students to attend. Today the District offers a terrific program to support new teachers, but then you depended on tenured teachers at your school to help you with curriculum and instruction. Many materials that I used for teaching then were outdated and teachers needed to make up their own. I am proud that we offer much more support and training to teachers today.

When you first started, did you aspire to become a principal or even a superintendent?

How has your Latino heritage impacted your thinking about education, particularly here in Redwood City?

My mother is Mexican and my father is Caucasian. Both of my parents had to work very hard for their education. My mother went to school during a time when it was forbidden to speak Spanish. There was no bilingual education. She was totally immersed into English my grandparents couldn't really help her with her school work. She later paid for her own college education and graduated from San Jośe State. My father received his education while he was in the military, and was sent to college and law school. My mother was insistent that her children maintain their Latin heritage. Today, my siblings and I are all bilingual and bicultural. This has really made a difference in our lives. The approach to language acquisition today is quite different: while the goal is for students to read, speak and write English at the level of a native speaker, we also offer Spanish and English speakers the opportunity to become literate in both languages. Next year the district is also offering a Mandarin immersion program in addition to its award-winning Spanish immersion programs.

What is the biggest change in RCSD you have seen over the years?

Less money from the state for our students has created many challenges. It is a shame that the funding we receive for our students is less than many neighboring districts, when our students share classes with students from these other districts in high school. We have made the most of every dollar in Redwood City, and our students have continued to have access to art, music and enrichments.

Are you in touch with any of your former students? What are they doing now?

What is your proudest moment as an educator?

Why did you decide to go into teaching/education?

How is education different today than when you entered teaching?

21st century learning skills are a must. Students need to think creatively and pursue innovative solutions. They must be able to use technology that targets and supports their learning. Teaching so that students gain these skills is very different for teachers and we must be able to support them to make sure our students can achieve and surpass the skills needed for them to be productive citizens in the 21st century.

Why are public schools important?

Public education offers every child in the community a chance to an education. Many children remain limited in their ability to take full advantage of that opportunity due to circumstances at home. Education ought to be about lifting students up. Without a free, public education system open to all, those who are born without money and power never will have a chance to make their lives better by developing new knowledge and/or 21st century skills. Over the years I have seen so many students in our Redwood City schools who beat the odds and achieve success because of access to great teachers and supportive community.

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