Eileen Baker named Cape supervisor of special programs

Eileen Baker has been named Cape supervisor of special programs, succeeding Jeff Conrad, who recently retired.

Baker said she was drawn to the position because its focus on special education expanded on her work in psychology on a broader scale.

“My passion is advocating for students and families,” she said, noting the district team focuses on excellence, equity and responsiveness every day.

Baker joined Cape in 2016, working as a school psychologist at Milton and H.O. Brittingham elementaries until she was named the district elementary intervention specialist in 2019. 

Prior to that, she worked as a school psychologist in the Milford School District for nine years and in the Appoquinimink School District for three years.

Baker said she was thankful to work with Conrad on her transition into the position, and she considers Cape’s special education department among the best in the state.

The district has a special education coordinator in each building and very passionate people working on behalf of students, she said, noting that speech, occupational and physical therapists are available as needed.

“We’re lucky to have the Consortium in our district with some of the most talented minds,” she said. “Being able to call and pick their brains is an asset.”

Baker received her bachelor’s degree in human services from Villanova University. She received her master’s degree in school psychology and a doctorate in education with a specialization in special education from the University of Delaware, and she recently completed the 18-month Special Education Administrative Leadership Program through the University of Delaware Center for Disability Studies.

Originally from Long Island, N.Y., Baker met her husband Jimmy Baker, a 1996 Cape High grad, on her first night as a Villanova student. Their son Dylan is a rising junior and a baseball player at Cape High, and daughter Teagan will be in seventh grade at Beacon Middle, where she plays softball. 

Advocating for those with special needs is important to the family; Dylan also plays unified basketball and wants to play unified flag football this fall. The family enjoys traveling any chance they get.