Mrs. Shelby Baxter is a former South Dearborn Community School Corporation student. She graduated from Ball State University with an undergraduate degree in Journalism and a minor in English Education as well as her master’s degree in Education. She has been an English teacher at South Dearborn High School for 17 years, and is an adjunct professor at Ivy Tech Community College.

When asked why she chose to go into education, Mrs. Baxter replied, “My entire life everyone told me that I should be a teacher.” She says she originally planned a career in front of the bright lights as a sideline reporter for the NFL, however a year into her studies in telecommunications, she knew her calling lay elsewhere.

As a student in the South Dearborn Community School Corporation, she had many influential teachers who helped guide her through school. She says the SDCSC teachers and staff are the reason she went on to become a teacher herself. “I wanted the opportunity to be the guidance and support to my own students like my teachers had been to me. Former guidance counselor and student government adviser Kathi Green was a particular influence who encouraged me to be a leader, not only as a student, but for life.”      

When asked what part of working for SDCSC she enjoys most, she replied, “South Dearborn is my home. These are my people. I take great pride in watching my students succeed. As a student and teacher I have invested over half of my life at South Dearborn and I take the great pride in watching my students set and achieve goals.”

Mrs. Baxter says the integration of technology into the classroom has been an essential change that has come to South Dearborn through the years. “Ten years ago, the English department received a grant that placed a classroom set of desktop computers in every English classroom. Now each student carries a Chromebook. South Dearborn has been progressive in keeping up with the needs of the students who have grown up with access to technology and has adjusted our curriculum accordingly.”

In her leisure time, Mrs. Baxter enjoys running, watching her kids participate in activities, and taking part in community events.