2023-2024

 Useful links: 

Social studies pacing guide and curriculum guide: (Update Link) 

Hello everyone,

This is your American History from a Global Perspective or World Geography/Advisory Teacher, Mr. Baker, and I would like to warmly welcome you to your 2023-2024 school year! I have been working in education since 2006. Over the years, I have taught for several different schools in different districts in both Illinois and Missouri. This is my fifth year with SLPS, and also my fifth year at Mckinley. I have spent my career working as an American History teacher, World History teacher, curriculum developer, percussion/drum set instructor, musician in an award winning band that toured, recorded, sold, and licensed music for film and TV, and as a social science researcher. These experiences have given me a deep love for learning, and helped me develop a solid work ethic. I have two amazing children: a seven-year-old daughter that attends Maplewood-Richmond Heights ECC and a 2 year-old son. I have been married for 10 years and my wonderful wife works as a school psychologist for Ferguson-Florissant School District. We like to spend as much time outside as we can. When I'm not spending time with my family/friends, teaching, I'm reading non-fiction and historical fiction, writing non-fiction and historical fiction, playing my drum set, guitar, bass guitar, singing, or recording with my band or by myself in my basement studio. I look forward to a year of teaching from the heart and connecting with all my students! 

Mr. Baker 

james.baker@slps.org 

American History Teacher

Geography Teacher 

"There is power in the human mind, but education is needed for its development. To deny education to any people is one of the greatest crimes against human nature. It is to deny them the means of freedom and the rightful pursuit of happiness, and to defeat the very end of their being.”-Frederick Douglass