Barry H. Baker, originally from Dickson, came to Robertson County Schools in 1993 as an East Robertson High School agricultural teacher, where he remained until becoming the Robertson County School District career and technical education supervisor in 2005. After Mr. Baker’s death in 2008, many in the Robertson County community have found ways to honor his memory and the impact he had on students.
History
The Barry H. Baker Memorial Scholarship was created in 2008 in memory of and to honor Mr. Barry H. Baker of the Robertson County School System. Mr. Baker passed suddenly in a tragic traffic accident in 2008 near Springfield Tennessee.
Mr. Baker was a native of Dickson County and attended The University of Tennessee in Knoxville. After graduation he began a career as a teacher of Agriculture Education/FFA. He taught at Houston County High School before moving to East Robertson High School in 1992. As a teacher at ERHS he soon became known as Mr. B. He was loved by his students and highly respected by his colleagues.
He was known as a special teacher who cared greatly for his students’ success in the classroom as well as their lives outside the classroom. He valued those who worked hard. He sought to help students achieve above their own expectations and was valued for being a teacher who helped those who might have struggled otherwise. Barry held all to the high level of expectations that he did his self.
In 2005 Mr. Baker was appointed as the Career and Technical Education Supervisor for Robertson County. He quickly became known as a trusted educator who could be depended on to provide the service necessary for CTE teachers and students to be successful. His knowledge and experience was valued among teachers and by his fellow supervisors.
The Community, School System, School, and students came together after Mr. Baker’s passing to ensure that his legacy would last for generations. Funds continue to be donated to support the efforts of this fund. The fund moved to the Community Foundation to be managed in 2020.
It is the intent to endow two permanent annual scholarships benefiting graduating seniors. One award will benefit a graduating senior from any of the Robertson County High Schools, who has completed an approved course of study in any Career and Technical Program offered by Robertson County Schools. The other award will benefit a graduating senior from East Robertson High School, who has been involved with the FFA (Future Farmer’s of America) chapter at East Robertson throughout their high school experience. Neither of these funds will be renewable. If named agencies cease to exist, the fund will use the following criteria: Any Robertson County graduating senior, who has shown a strong commitment to an agricultural career or a technical career path with a preference for seniors from East Robertson High School.
