Schools

Tilden Middle School Principal To Take Helm At Walter Johnson

Jennifer Baker appointed principal of Walter Johnson Monday evening.

Tilden Middle School principal Jennifer Baker will become the next principal of  after being appointed to the position at a Monday Board of Education meeting.

The Walter Johnson High School community began a search for a new principal after current principal Christopher Garran Garran is stepping down to become the new community superintendent for the Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Walter Johnson, Walt Whitman and Wheaton clusters.

Baker will take the helm at WJ July 1, the WJ Pitch first reported.

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Baker began her career as a math teacher at Walter Johnson, according to a letter Garran sent Monday via listserv to the Walter Johnson community. She also served as an assistant principal at both and before beginning her position as the principal of Tilden, located in North Bethesda, four years ago.

In a letter to the Tilden community, Baker wrote, “Knowing I will remain close to the Tilden community makes it possible for me to leave.  It will be a tremendous experience to continue watching our students from Tilden as they discover high school and beyond.  I have spent nine years of my career working in the Walter Johnson cluster secondary schools.  I began my career as a math teacher at Walter Johnson and to me “coming home” to WJ does seem like a natural step for my career.”

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Garran welcomed Baker to the WJ community in his letter.

“I had the opportunity to teach with Mrs. Baker at WJ and I am very happy that she is returning as your next principal. Throughout her administrative career, Mrs. Baker and I have been close professional colleagues and I look forward to working with her in our new roles. She is extremely dedicated to young people and she will be a visible and involved leader.”

The Pitch reported that a job opening for the position was posted for about a week, and interviews took place May 12. Most applicants were current principals or assistant principals from within MCPS, according to the Pitch.

Current community superintendent Sean Bulson will lead the Tilden community in its search for a new principal, Baker’s letter read. As the future community superintendent, Garran will also be involved in the selection process, Baker wrote.


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