Valerie Baxter

Contact Me:

Email: vbaxter@elmhurst205.org                      Phone: ​(630) 834-5313

Follow Me:

Twitter: vbaxter4th                                        Instagram: BaxterField205

About Ms. Baxter

I knew that I wanted to be a teacher when I was in 2nd grade.  I am the youngest of three children.   I have two older brothers.   They each have two children that I love spoiling (that's 3 nephews and a niece).    I also have 5 grand nephews and nieces to spoil!  My parents met at Indiana University and all three of us went to Indiana, as did my oldest nephew and niece!   We love rooting for our Hoosiers whether it be basketball or football. 

After graduating from Indiana University with a degree in elementary education and a minor in learning disabilities, I started my teaching career in Greencastle, Indiana.   I taught a class for students with severe emotional handicaps for two years there.   Then I moved back to the Elmhurst area and started teaching special education resource at Lincoln here in Elmhurst.   I did that for thirteen years.   I worked with students with learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, behavior disorders, and autism.   For three years, I was the assistant principal at Lincoln and Hawthorne.   Due to budget cuts, my position was eliminated and I returned to the classroom.   I decided that I wanted to try teaching general education.   I taught 2nd grade at Emerson and Field for a total of 11 years.  This is my sixth year in fourth grade.   

I enjoy traveling.  My parents instilled the love of traveling in all of us by camping when we were growing up.  I reached my goal of going to all 50 states a few years ago!   One of my brothers lives in London with his family, so I've been there frequently (I have to spoil their boys!) and it's a perfect place to start exploring Europe.  

I am a member of a Sweet Adeline chorus called Choral-Aires.   We sing barbershop music and were excited to get 2nd place at our Regional competition last May!  That means we go to International Competition in fall 2023 to compete with the other top 31 choruses (out of about 600 worldwide). 

I also enjoy crafting, gardening, and reading.   One craft I've learned in the last few years is fused glass.   I really enjoy the creative outlet.   I have also redone my backyard garden and enhanced my front yard.   I enjoy getting my hands dirty and trying to grow new plants.  There's a hammock in my backyard that is wonderful for reading after a day of working in the yard.