School Honors Teacher, Citizen Soldier

Photo By Maj. William Carraway | Doctor David Fincher, President of Greater Atlanta Christian School challenges students to honor those who serve in the U.S. Military while Sgt. Maj. Timothy Baker looks on. Baker, who has taught at GACS for 18 years was promoted to sergeant major during a ceremony hosted by GACS.  

NORCROSS, GA, UNITED STATES

08.22.2016

Story by Capt. William Carraway 

Georgia National Guard

In the 18 years he has taught at Greater Atlanta Christian School and 27 years served in the National Guard, Timothy Baker has attended a lot of assemblies. But on Monday, the two careers of this Citizen Soldier came together as hundreds of Baker’s students witnessed his promotion to sergeant major during a ceremony hosted by GACS.

“Baker’s family, work family and military family are all together here celebrating a promotion that is well deserved,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Samuel McCord, Command Sergeant Major of the 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, in remarks before the ceremony. McCord, Georgia Guardsmen and hundreds of GACS students applauded as Natasha Baker pinned her husband with his new rank as their daughter Vica looked on. For the Bakers, it was an emotional moment.

“This is the first time my wife has been able to promote me,” said Baker during remarks addressed to his students.

Baker’s last promotion was in 2010 while he was serving in Afghanistan with the Georgia Army National Guard. His promotion to sergeant major was scheduled to occur in Fort Stewart this month, but due to unforeseen circumstances, that was too far for his wife and daughter to travel. That’s when Mark Boyd, a 1st Lt. in the Georgia Guard and Spanish teacher at GACS came up with a solution.

Learning that Baker’s family could not be at the promotion, Boyd approached GACS administration with the idea of holding a promotion ceremony at the school. High school principal Charles Edwards and school president Dr. David Fincher jumped at the chance to host the ceremony and give GACS students insight into Baker’s career as a Citizen Soldier.

“Boyd told me about the situation and we were pleased to not only have the opportunity to appreciate him and his service but use this as a teaching opportunity for the kids,” said Fincher. “This is good for (Baker), but it is also good for the kids to see this and celebrate a life of service.”

Fincher drew parallels between Baker’s success as a teacher and Soldier.

“To see what he does for his country, to see what he does for his family, then to see what he brings to his students is amazing,” said Fincher.
Colonel John Gentry spoke to the students on the topic of service, and then presented Dr. Fincher with a coin of excellence in recognition of the school’s long record of support to Guardsmen.

“It takes special employers like yourself for us to do what we do,” said Gentry. “You are not only an employer for Baker, you are also a friend. Thank you for your support of our Soldiers.”
Fincher thanked Baker and the Georgia Guardsmen for their service, then asked students to stand if they had a family member who had served or was serving in the military. When a majority of the students stood, Fincher described the moment as a powerful reminder of the ripple effect military service has in our community, then challenged the students to honor those who serve.

“The world is hurting for builders, shapers and molders of things that will be,” said Fincher. “How can we be builders like Baker and Colonel Gentry? These men and women are builders of things that matter for you. And lest you ever take them for granted, know that they make a mighty difference, far more than just in a battle. They make a difference in individual lives, in children’s lives all over the world and we are all blessed by it.”

• Date Taken: 08.22.2016
• Date Posted: 08.23.2016 13:02
• Story ID: 207939
• Location: NORCROSS, GA, US