S
hakila HendersonBaker is a Newton County
native who has been serving on the Newton County Board of Education since 2011. In addition, she has held various roles in the Georgia School Board Association (GSBA), including serving as District 4 Director for four years before being elected as the GSBA Vice-President for the 20202021 fiscal year, President-Elect for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, and eventually as the GSBA President in June of 2022. Notably, she has represented the State of Georgia as a delegate at the National School Board Association (NSBA) Conference and presented at an NSBA conference on the topic of “Georgia’s Equity Journey: Lessons Learned” in 2019. She also serves on both the GSBA Governance Operations Committee and the Georgia Vision for Public Education Committee, as well as the Simbli/EBS Board of Directors, to which she was appointed in 2019. Mrs. Henderson-Baker graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Political Science from Fort Valley State University, where she received a full academic scholarship and local community scholarships. She also holds a Master of Science Degree in Psychology and Counseling from Troy University. Shakila Henderson-Baker has an expansive background in education and mental health services, having worked as a Mental Health Clinician and Behavioral Specialist for over 14 years, currently holding the position of Utilization Management Coordinator. She holds an Early Childhood Education Certification from Piedmont College, which she pursued prior to being elected to the board of education. Shakila’s passion for the arts and her work in mental health has led her to present at numerous state-wide mental health conferences on recovery through dance and the arts. As a member of the board of education, Shakila has continued her advocacy for public schools, previously serving as a parent representative on the school council at Fairview Theme School. She is dedicated to contributing to student programs and has sponsored snacks and treats at student of the month/ quarter programs, spoken at various school programs, mentored teen groups,
volunteered at the special Olympics, volunteered at the after school program at Washington Street Community Center, and served as a guest reader at elementary schools yearly. In 2018, Shakila took her commitment to education a step further by establishing the Henderson-Baker Tech for Success Scholarship, which awards three deserving seniors from District 3 and/or Newton High School with a new laptop and tech equipment. Outside of her work in education, Shakila is an active member of the Chi Tau Omega (CTO) Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., serving the communities of both Newton and Rockdale Counties. Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors for Newton County Mentoring, Board of Directors for Newton County Community Partnership, and the advisory board for the Helping Hands Food Pantry. Mrs. Henderson-Baker is an accomplished individual with a range of
accomplishments and accolades. She graduated from Leadership Georgia, the state’s premier leadership development program in 2018. Additionally, she has received awards such as the 2012 Top 10 People You Need to Know in Newton County, the 2012 Distinguished Alumni Award from Fort Valley State University, the 2019 Sigma Eta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Community Service Award, and the 2019 NCNW Rockdale Newton Section Dorothy L Height Trailblazer Award. She is also an active volunteer in her community. Mrs. Henderson-Baker attends New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and is married to Mr. Rodrick Baker, an educator. Together, they have two daughters: Star, who recently graduated from Newton High School in 2022 and attends Tennessee State University in Nashville, and Sarai, who is currently a senior in the Newton County School System.
2023
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