Denise Baker announced her retirement after 30 years teaching Kindergarten at Lake Highlands Elementary, and admirers threw a parade Tuesday to wish her well. The line of cars filled with former students, parents and teaching friends stretched from LHE’s circular drive down Ferndale and along Walnut Hill.
“Ms. Baker is a legend at LHE,” said Principal Emily Gruninger. “She is known for taking care of the whole child, and everyone who’s had her over the years wants their next child to have her, too.”
Admiring families decorated their cars with balloons, tassels and hand-stenciled signs to profess their devotion and wish their teacher “happy trails.”
“She’s so dedicated,” said Gruninger. “She’s always the first one here and the last one to leave. It’s definitely a loss for LHE.”
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Blogger CAROL TOLER and her husband, Toby, are the parents of four LHHS graduates. She has an MBA from SMU and is the proud recipient of the Exchange Club of LH's Unsung Hero Award and Councilman McGough's Blake Anderson Public Service Award. She received LHHS PTA's Extended Service Award, FMJH PTA's Charger Award and a Life Membership from the LHFC PTA. She has moderated candidate debates for Dallas Mayor, Dallas City Council and RISD Trustee races and taught seminars on garnering publicity for nonprofits. She completed training with Dallas Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation and Inside RISD, and she's a sustaining member of LH Women's League. She has served on the boards of After8 to Educate, Dallas Free Press, Healing Hands Ministries and Camp Sweeney and chaired fundraisers for multiple Dallas nonprofits. Email ctoler@advocatemag.com.
