Education:

Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI
Doctoral Associate in English Education, Summer 2002 - Present
• 3.97 GPA.

Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI
Master of Arts in Humanities, December 1998
• Graduated with an overall 3.97 GPA.

Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI
Bachelor of Arts, Summa Cum Laude, April 1995
Major: English
Minor: Communication
• Graduated Summa Cum Laude (GPA: 3.9 - 4.0).
• Member of Phi Kappa Phi Honorary Society.

Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI
Bachelor of Applied Arts, May 1985
Major: Broadcasting
Major: Journalism
• Graduated with an overall 3.23 GPA.

Teaching Experience:

Western Michigan University , Kalamazoo , MI
Doctoral Associate/Part-Time Faculty, March, 2002 – Present.

• ES 395: School & Society.
• ENG 480: Teaching Literature in Secondary Schools.
• ENG 105: Thinking & Writing.

Portage Central High School, Portage, MI
Language Arts Teacher, August, 2001 - January, 2002
• Integrated English, and Journalism I & II.
• Faculty advisor for the high school newspaper, CENTRAL STAMPEDE.

Traverse City Central High School, Traverse City, MI
Language Arts Teacher, August, 1995 - June, 2001
• Modern Literature, Integrated Language Arts, Forensics, Broadcast Techniques, Interpersonal Communications, and Debate.
• Conceived course goals and objectives, designed teaching strategies, and created assessment tools; utilized various multi-media learning tools, such as computers, the World Wide Web, videos, and broadcast communications.
• Established learning-centered classrooms by implementing cooperative learning, authentic teaching and learning, and self-reflection techniques and strategies.
• Assistant coach for forensics team.
• Creator of/academic advisor for the high school internet radio station, AM 700 WTCH.

Gull Lake High School, Richland, MI
Intern Teaching, January - April, 1995
• Advanced Placement English, Interpersonal Communications, British Literature, and General Literature.

• “Beyond the Literary Canon: Designing Curriculum for the Secondary Literature Classroom that Emphasizes Critical Literacy and Social Education” (co-presenter). Bright Ideas Spring Conference on the English Language Arts, Lansing , MI , March 2006.
• “Pre-Intern Teachers, Critical Literacy, and Using Literature to Teach about Social Justice Issues” (co-presenter). Michigan Council of Teachers of English, Lansing , MI , October 2005.
• “Using Young Adult Novels to Promote Social Justice” (co-presenter). Michigan Council of Teachers of English, Lansing , MI , October 2004.

University Teaching Innovations & Websites:

ES 395: School & Society <http://homepages.wmich.edu/~d2baker/es395.htm>

This course focuses on the nature and direction of American education. There are many issues facing the advancement of education, both past and present. During this class, students look at the many social, historical, philosophical, economic, and legal factors affecting educational policy and practice.

ENG 480: Teaching Literature in Secondary Schools http://homepages.wmich.edu/~d2baker/eng480.htm

A capstone methods course in the secondary English education program, English 480 is a study of techniques and theories of teaching literature to young adults.

ENG 105: Thinking & Writing
http://homepages.wmich.edu/~d2baker/eng105.htm

This course is an expository writing course in which students develop their ability to analyze data and form conclusions. The class is conducted as a workshop. Students work approximately two weeks on each paper, engaging in appropriate research and planning activities and writing two or three preliminary drafts. Each draft is thoroughly critiqued by other members of the class, and the next to last draft is discussed in an individual conference with the teacher. Papers are then graded on content, organization, style, and mechanics. Does not count as credit towards English major or minor. Fulfills the University Intellectual Skills college level writing requirement.

Social Justice & Adolescent Literature <http://homepages.wmich.edu/~d2baker/socialjusticeintro.htm>

A course designed for ENG 680 Advanced Methods of Teaching Literature, this website is a resource for teachers interested in exploring social issues and young adult novels. It can be used as part of classroom investigations/discussions of literature and relevant historical, political, and social and cultural issues in America, such as race, gender, and identity. The course examines Sharon Flake’s The Skin I’m In; Walter Dean Myers’ Monster; Laurie Anderson’s Speak; Lois Ann Yamanaka’s Name Me Nobody. This course also contains lesson plans, related sites, and a WebQuest on Myers' Monster.

Dan Baker Homepage <http://homepages.wmich.edu/~d2baker/>

A resource for English teacher, students at Western Michigan University and for potential employers, this site includes class syllabi, links to webpages, and my curriculum vitae.

Teaching Certifications:

Michigan Secondary Professional, 7 - 12: English and Speech.
Michigan Vocational/Technical Education: Radio and Television.

Professional Experience:

Office of the Dean, College of Education, WMU, Kalamazoo, MI
Head Writer, Fall 1993 - Winter 1994
• Researching and writing for "Network," a bi-weekly newsletter consisting of interdepartmental news and information; and "Education Today," a bi-yearly publication offering comprehensive reporting on current issues confronting the educational enterprise.

97.3 WMEE Fort Wayne, IN
Music Director/Evening Announcer, June 1990 - February 1992
• Designed and directed the musical direction for the station based on market research and target demographics.

94.5 KLQ Grand Rapids, MI
Evening Announcer, March 1989 - June 1990

KZ-93 WKZW Peoria, IL
Evening Announcer/Assistant Promotions Director, June 1986 - March 1989