New Holland-Middletown Driver Honored by State Board of Education

[October 26, 2015]  NEW HOLLAND-MIDDLETOWN - At its annual Those Who Excel banquet in Normal on Saturday, October 17, officials from the Illinois State Board of Education honored Illinois’ outstanding educators. Among those educators was New Holland-Middletown lead bus driver Earl Baker of Middletown.

The sole recipient of this prestigious award from Logan County, Mr. Baker is currently in his 25th year of driving for NH-M District 88. Recognized in front of approximately 900 educators and guests, Mr. Baker received the highest level of the state of Illinois’ classroom teachers, school administrators, and student support personnel. Those three levels in ascending order of prestige are Recognition, Merit and Excellence according to individuals’ significant contributions to our state’s public and nonpublic elementary and secondary schools.

Mr. Baker received his plaque of excellence as honor for his dedication, hard work and perseverance over the past 25 years. During the banquet, a short biography of Mr. Baker was read as he received the plaque from Illinois State Superintendent Dr. Tony Smith. In addition, the New Holland-Middletown Elementary District 88 Board of Education recently passed a resolution of appreciation in anticipation of his award receipt.

On hand to support Mr. Baker in his award was one of his three nominators, Superintendent Todd Dugan, who has this to say of Earl Baker’s accomplishment: “Our District is extremely fortunate to have someone as dedicated and compassionate as Earl. I’ve had the privilege of working with him for the past four years, and was so pleased that he was chosen for this award. Even more pleased that he received Excellence, the highest possible category. Certainly no one deserves it more than Earl.”

[NH-M Principal Todd Dugan]