When Glenn Baker graduated from George R. Ellis High School in Munford in 1968, a career in education was not the plan.
Upon graduation, Baker joined the Army before taking classes at Tennessee Technology Center and State Technical Institute in Memphis.
He also worked in the fabrication business for a time before an opportunity presented itself to become a sheet metal fabrication teacher at TTC in Covington.
“I was approached and recommended by an instructor,” said Baker. “I had some other opportunities to think about too. After a lot of thought and talking with my wife, I chose to teach.”
The rest, as they say, is history. Baker, 61, has been at TTC-Covington for 37 years now.
After serving as an instructor for 23 years, Baker became an administrator at TTC-Covington in 2000 and has continued his education at the University of Memphis and Dyersburg State Community College.
He currently serves as the center’s training coordinator and recruiter. Baker is a very busy man.
He is a past president of the Covington-Tipton County Chamber of Commerce and the Covington Rotary Club and a graduate of the Tipton Organized to Advanced Leadership (TOTAL) and West Star programs and serves as a deacon at Bright Hill Baptist Church. He’s also on the community board at Patriot Bank.
Baker and his wife Linda, who reside in Brighton, have three grown sons and four grandchildren.
Looking back on the path that his career has taken, he points to his time as a student at the Tennessee Technology Center as a good starting point.
“I never really thought this was what I was going to end up doing for a living,” Baker said. “I’ve really enjoyed it, though. Looking back, I think it was a good choice.”
Author: Echo Day
Echo Day is an award-winning journalist, photographer and designer. She is currently The Leader's managing editor.
