Dr. Laura Baker joined the faculty in the spring of 2009, after serving as an adjunct instructor in  fall of 2008.  She holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and an M.Ed. in Special Education from the University of Maine at Orono.  Her undergraduate work was done at Miami University where she received a B.S. of Education.  Dr. Baker is a member of the Westfield Professional Development School Network, and is also Coordinator of Special Education for the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education.

Dr. Baker has taught students in regular and special education in grades from pre-school to graduate school.  She was a Director of Special Education and a Principal for many years, and completed ten years as Executive Director and Head of School of Greenfield Center School in Greenfield, Massachusetts, the home of the Responsive Classroom.  She has been very involved with progressive education organizations such as Lives in the Balance, The Coalition of Essential Schools, The North Dakota Study Group on Evaluation, and the National Association of Community and Restorative Justice.  Most recently she published an article, with co-worker Terri Griffin, in The Academic Exchange Quarterly.

Dr. Baker lives with her partner, Bernie, and her two dogs. Her children are independent adults. She runs daily.