Executive Director: Sandy Baker
“Excellence can be attained if you.....care more than others think is wise, risk more than others think is safe, dream more than others think is practical, expect more than others think is possible.”
Sandy Baker received her Bachelor's Degree in Special Education in 1987 from Michigan State University and her Master's Degree in Educational Leadership in 1992 from Western Michigan University.
Her teaching career began in the Lansing Public School District at Pattengil Middle School, then to North Aurelius Elementary in Mason, Michigan. A move to the west side of the State brought her to Spring Lake Public Schools in 1989. While at Spring Lake, Sandy taught fifth grade and Special Education grades 7-12. In 1995, she became the Principal of Holmes Elementary. After several years in Administration, she returned to the classroom, where she created a spectacular program for students with disabilities. This program included work experience out in the community and a micro enterprise (The Laker Popcorn Company) in the High School. Business connections were made with The Spring Lake Country Club, Vandermill Cider Mill, Dollar World, Dollar General, The Holiday Inn, Jack's Restaurant, Orchard Market, Discovery Montessori, Robbinswood Assisted Living and The Little Red House. Students in the program were recognized for their employability skills and gifts and talents and local businesses began to hire the students into paid positions. Several students, a decade later, are still employed at their positions! The program that Sandy created shifted paradigms in the community!
Sandy hasn't stopped there! She is an Adjunct Instructor at Muskegon Community College where she created The Jayhawk Academy. This program invites students with unique abilities to gain employability skills, daily living skills and continued academic skills on the campus of MCC! Connections with all of the activities and opportunities that a college campus and state of the art building have to offer, will certainly benefit the students enrolled in the program. Students enrolled in Education, Social Work, Nursing and Psychology will have the opportunity to volunteer in the program.
Sandy hasn't stopped there! She is a Field Coordinator for HOPE College and Grand Valley State University! She supervises and evaluates the Student Teachers completing their student teaching experiences in Special Education. She travels to districts throughout west Michigan mentoring and coaching beginning teachers in the field.
Sandy is a Board Member (Secretary) of Disability Network of West Michigan and a consultant to the Arc of Muskegon. She recently helped to create a resource guide of services for families of children/adults with developmental disabilities and is inservicing High School educators in Muskegon County about this guide.
Sandy is the mother of two boys – Eric and Adam. Eric is 22 and has Down Syndrome. Adam is 21 and is pursuing a position as a Corrections Officer for the State of Michigan. Sandy and Eric travel to local High Schools and Universities to publically share their story. They have presented at multiple events every year for over a decade.
Sandy is the chair of the Outreach Ministry at First Evangelical Church in North Muskegon. She is active in the community, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and Family Promise.
In June of 2014, upon retirement from Spring Lake Public Schools, Sandy began creating Gracious Grounds, a nonprofit organization developing housing opportunities for people with unique abilities. She researched other models, visited programs around the State and searched for properties from Grand Haven to Whitehall. It is just a matter of time before Gracious Grounds becomes a viable opportunity for individuals in the area!
One of Sandy's many achievements was being nominated for the Lakeshore Athena Award. The event is presented annually to recognize outstanding lakeshore women who have demonstrated excellence in their business or profession, have provided valuable service by devoting time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in their community, assist women in reaching their full potential and who exhibit the spirit of regional collaboration.