Teachers of all grade levels understand the hardships and stress of teaching, but for Susan Baldwin, it is an opportunity to influence and change lives for the betterment of the children and their families.
A graduate from Ball State University in 1998, Baldwin earned a degree in elementary and deaf education, as well as interpersonal relations. Attending the university was the plan but choosing which field of education to pursue was the challenge initially.
“During my senior year of high school, I had been working with a group of elementary students on a project, and it was through that experience that I realized I wanted to work with children,” said Baldwin. “The son-in-law of a friend of my grandmother’s, who was actually on the School Board in Michigan City at the time, encouraged me to look into deaf education. When I got to Ball State, I started taking deaf education and American Sign Language classes.”
In 2006, Baldwin returned to school, earning a master's degree in education with a concentration in early childhood from Indiana University. In addition, she is a certified Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist and Parent Advisor through the Center of Deaf and Hard Hearing Education. She provides families with early intervention services for children who have hearing loss. She has been doing this work since 2015.
“I have been teaching for the Michigan City Area Schools for 24 years. My first three years of teaching were spent in a developmental preschool classroom. I also spent time teaching in the general education classroom, teaching fourth grade for three years and first grade for nine years,” said Baldwin. “In the Fall of 2013, I returned to special education as an itinerant teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing, providing services for students with hearing loss in preschool through 12th grade throughout the district.”
Working with children can oftentimes be difficult, but Baldwin embraces the challenge and loves helping her students in any possible way she can.
“My passion is working with children and supporting families,” said Baldwin. “My goal is that every family is provided all the information and resources they need in order to make the best, most informed decisions. I want families to feel confident in the decisions they are making for their child.”
Baldwin says the best part of teaching is the relationships she forms with her students. She changes the lives of many of her students and keeps those close relationships with them years after teaching them as kids.
“Many continue to keep in touch with me long after graduation,” said Baldwin. “I just recently went to a wedding for one of my very first preschoolers!”
Not originally from the La Porte County community, Baldwin embraced her new environment and has thrived with her career alongside her loving family.
“I love it here! The area is beautiful and so are the people! I am proud to be a part of the Michigan City family and to raise my family here,” said Baldwin. “My husband Jeff and I have been married for almost 20 years. We have two sons who are in the 10th and 11th grade at Michigan City High School. We also have a silly beagle named Odie. Our sons’ sports schedules keep us very busy! I love to travel and spend time with friends and family. I just recently got back from an amazing trip to Puerto Rico with friends and fellow teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing.”