Ruth Baldwin
Position: Retiring Eighth Grade Science Teacher
School: North Kirkwood Middle School
School District: Kirkwood School District
City, State: Kirkwood, MO
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Ruth is absolutely worthy of this nomination and so so much more! She is hands down one of my all time favorites teachers that I ever had and even after 12/13 years I still find myself using her teachings and life lessons!!!! ANY kiddo that was lucky enough to have her as a teacher, their life was truly blessed. Thank you for EVERYTHING!!!!!!! Kirkwood school district will definitely miss you!!!!!
Ruthie is the best of the best! It's been an honor to be her teammate! The world is truly a better place because of her. Her passion for students is second to none. Every single kid who moved through her classroom is better for having done so.
RA is a “life changer”. Her commitment to teaching, her students and community goes beyond any teacher I know. While RA did not teach my 3 sons she has still had an impact on them (our boys went to the other kirkwood middle school). As the wife of the khs track and x- country couch she opened up her home as a welcome haven for all runners... for 8 years of 2 of my boys lives. Dinner, meetings, impromptu gatherings.
While a middle school teacher, RA can b seen at every HS track and cross country meet cheering on the team but she could also b found at every high school graduation, play, choir performances...too many activities to list here.
She’s involved in the community. Knows the issues and is willing to have a conversation with young and old... to share her perspective as well as gain new perspective.
It took many years to get her to join WOW book club (she was always too busy teaching). Little did we know what was in store for us. Her book selection always involves some aspect of science. .. her passion. You can guarantee she will have the best presentation of her book which will always include a TEST??.
Her impact on me, my family, her students and our community makes her one admirable woman deserving of this recognition ??
Great job Mrs. Baldwin! Youre an incredible person and a great friend! You never tire of striving for excellence and making positive impact on the community. Keep up the good work!
One of the best teachers I know. She put in longer hours than just about anybody else in the teaching profession, she knew her stuff, and she was simply the best.
Ruth is a colleague, mentor, and friend. She taught me what a good teacher does to reach their students. Her passion for middle school kids was inspiring and she was someone I admired both as a professional and a person. She was also just a hoot - we had many laughs. What a great teacher and person!
There are teachers who teach you a lot of things, and then there are teachers who help you find your path in life. For me, Mrs. Baldwin was the latter. Middle school was a tough time for me socially, but her love and faith in me helped me in her class and in the team helped me keep true to myself in 8th grade. That much was evident from the moment I walked in the door of her classroom, and only continued as she encouraged me to stop by, to talk with me about science, the world, and my future. And before I mention anything else, I have to say that her passion for science and using it to investigate and explain the world around us was thrilling to me in class AND set up a pattern for me to explore in the future. It was her influence that inspired me to run cross country--something I had never considered before-- where I found a core group of friends that gave me a foundation for the next phase in my life as well as another life-long mentor (who just happened to be her husband), Coach Baldwin.
For me, my time closely working with Mrs. Baldwin from 8th grade on was part of the foundation that has launched me to where I am now. I studied Chemistry in college, became a Middle School Science teacher through Teach For America because I was driven by the values that were honed in conversations with her and her example, and am now a High School Administrator and Science Teacher at Pathways High, a school that is attempting to push the boundaries on what school can be. I've even taught a quarter long rockets class based on a unit we did in 8th grade science!
Thank you, Mrs. Baldwin. You deserve this award!
Mrs. Baldwin taught my daughter middle school science. Her infectious curiosity and genuine compassion for her students had my daughter actually excited for school projects. Did I mention this was middle school,so,a true miracle. She ignites the can-do spark in people and reminds others they really do matter and they really are wildly capable. Her students believe it because she believes it first. I am forever grateful for her influence.
My mom was one of my first teachers. She taught me patience Even when my classes became more difficult. I am so lucky she has always been there for me.
Without a doubt my favorite teacher of my life. She inspired and encouraged me to run cross country under her husband, Coach Baldwin, in high school and that was the best decision I could’ve made at a very crucial time in my life. Learned so much from her even after I finished her class. Love you, Mrs. Baldwin!
Sean Campbell
You definitely have made a huge impact on AJ. You were his favorite teacher in middle school. You got him into running in middle school, which we never had any idea of how fast he could run. Because of you he decided to run in CC in high school. CC definitely molded him into the person he is today. Thank you very much coach mom. ??
It was heartwarming to hear the voices of a few of Mrs. Baldwin's former students in her nomination video. Their words were genuine and captured the essence of Ruthie Baldwin as a teacher and a person. What the nomination was unable to do and what's even more extraordinary is that these are the words of thousands--students, teachers, staff, community members... All who have had the pleasure to be in her presence. Each would, no doubt, reiterate every compliment, story, testimony and add many more of their own to reaffirm time and again how deserving she is for this award. I am so fortunate to be one of the thousands.
A passionate teacher who creates inspirational lessons for her students. They come make years later to tell her how she affected their lives and developed a passion for science.
Ruth Baldwin changes lives.
We have the pleasure of meeting Ruth through her husband, Wayne, who taught our daughters at Nipher.
Ruth is an inspiring and motivated person who knows how to approach life asking questions and providing sound reasoning for positive change in our world. Never one to shy away from difficult topics, she takes a common sense approach to the challenges that life puts at our feet and is able to turn those situations into teachable moments. Can only imagine how the many lucky children that have had her as a teacher will go onto adult life making changes that will benefit all. A truly selfless person who has also taught me a thing or two in our times together. Her shoes will be hard to fill.
Many people who know Ruth Baldwin call her amazing and that is absolutely true. I know her as Coach Mom. She is the loving support system of the Kirkwood Cross Country team. I watched her lift up many of our runners and remind moms like me that our sons were in great hands. I truly love you, Coach Mom and will be forever grateful for your friendship. You deserve this award and every accolade you receive.
Ruth Baldwin taught my son, Sean Miller 8th grade science. She encouraged him to join Cross Country which he excelled and learned team player attitudes.
She also inspired him to continue studying astronomy which he did through college and has applied that with his English degree in writing science fiction books. (Now 25 years old)
It takes a village for single parents to raise our kids. Seans father died when he was 3 yrs old. Ruth was one of our village!
Stacy Oliver Neal
Ruth Ann Baldwin has engaged, educated and inspired students and their families for three decades. She has changed lives and been changed by the lives she has encountered throughout her career. As her husband and fellow educator, I am proud to have been able to share in Ruth Ann’s positive impact on the human beings she has interacted with in her career.
Mrs. Baldwin was the most amazing teacher I have had the pleasure of learning from. In eighth grade she had the BEST projects in her science classes. Chocolate powder meteorite crash experiments. Oreo moon phases. Learning how to calculate density with a heart (