After completing her bachelor’s degree in special education at the University of Alabama, Dr. Baker’s first teaching job was with deaf residents at Bryce State Mental Hospital. After leaving, she began work as a special educator with preschool to high school aged students. Dr. Baker returned to the University of Alabama to obtain a Masters degree in Audiology and worked in that field for several years before returning to public schools. She served as a teacher and special education coordinator with Huntsville City Schools, and as principal of Chapman Elementary for over ten years. During her principalship, Chapman was recognized as an outstanding school, receiving numerous national and state awards for reading programs, technology, safety, and service learning.
Dr. Baker received her Ed.D. from Nova Southeastern University in 2003. She currently works as a principal coach for the Alabama Reading Initiative providing leadership training and one-to-one coaching for principals in north Alabama. Dr. Baker has been recognized as the 2001 Alabama District X Distinguished Principal, and Huntsville Council of PTAs 1998 Principal of the Year. She has presented for the National Elementary Principals Association, the Alabama Reading Association, and State Department of Education MegaConference.
Deborah is married to Ernie Meinecke, an Alabama Milken Award Educator. They enjoy traveling and snow-skiing vacations with their two grown sons, Lee and Matthew.
