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As someone who grew up in Clark County, Baker Intermediate School Assistant Principal Renee Ware has come to know Winchester well. 

Specifically, she finds her home away from home to be Baker Intermediate School, where she began as an educator nearly 30 years ago. 

“I’ve stayed at this school because I really like the age group of fifth [to] eighth grade. In all the years I’ve been here, those are the ages I’ve worked with,” she said. “I also think that the school has always had such a great staff…it’s just made me never want to leave.” 

Having been a student at schools including George Rogers Clark High School, Ware found herself early on with a yearning to work with young people. 

“I wanted to be a teacher because of the teachers I had growing up,” she said, specifically noting Laura Temple and Vanessa Rogers. “Some of those teachers made such an impact on me. I wanted to do the same.” 

Ware began her career in the classroom, starting as a reading instructor. 

However, after one year, she moved to teaching mathematics. 

It turned out to be a fortunate change. 

“I’ve been in love with math ever since,” Ware said. “It’s my favorite subject to teach.” 

After over 20 years in the classroom, it was suggested that she’d make a good fit for an administrative position. 

“Over the course of my time as a teacher, I was asked to take on team leader responsibilities [and] other leadership responsibilities,” Ware said. “A lot of people encouraged me and thought that this would be a role that I would be a good fit for so I could support students and teachers in a different way….I thought, “Why not give it a try?’ It’s been an interesting experience.” 

Asked what has changed, Ware reflected on her early days as an educator. 

“When I started, we still passed report cards around every six weeks and did [them] by hand”, she said. “I remember you would get the blue cards, and you had to use special ink and there was blue white-out…We [also] used to have chalkboards.” 

Noting that much has changed thanks to technological advances such as email, as well as other resources, Ware states it’s sometimes difficult to predict what the future might hold. 

“With the rapid way the world is changing and evolving…it’s almost hard to envision what will happen.” she said. “I never could have imagined what would have happened from then to now.” 

However, there’s plenty of reason for excitement. 

“Our district leaders have implemented a plan for cooperative learning to take place in all schools Pre-K through [senior year]. This plan emphasizes communication, problem solving, reaching consensus, and practicing social skills,” Ware said. “I am very excited to see this plan develop and grow over the next several years, as I believe it will make a real difference in both our schools and our community.” 

On a personal note, Ware does envision a situation where she might be back in the classroom leading students through content. 

“I miss the classroom. I do think that I will one day go back and that’s what I will retire doing,” she said. 

However, with the joy she finds in the job, that day doesn’t appear soon on the horizon. 

“At this time right now, I have no idea when I’ll retire,” Ware said. “I just don’t anticipate a day where this isn’t my destination.”