Name: Dr. Andrew J. Baker
Department: School of Agriculture
Rank: Professor of Agricultural Education
Education:
PhD – University of Missouri-Columbia
MEd- University of Missouri-Columbia
B.S. - University of Missouri-Columbia
A.S. – Missouri Western State College.
Employment/Experience
Western Illinois University (1999-present)
Rank: Assistant, Associate, & Full Professor
Course: AgEd 131 – Introduction to Agricultural Education (2 credit hrs.)
Course: AgEd 331 – Planning & Organizing Agric. Educ. Progr. (3 credit hrs.)
Course: Ed 439G - Agricultural Education Methods (3 credit hrs.)
Course: AgEd 330 – Summer Experience in Teaching Agric. Occup. (2 credit hrs.)
Course: AgTM 250 – Introduction to Agricultural Technology Management (3 credit hrs.)
Course: AgTM 368 – Shop Skills in Agricultural Mechanics (3 credit hrs.)
Course: Agri 320 - Success Strategies in Agriculture (2 credit hrs.)
Course: Agri 420 - Social, Cultural, & Technological Issues in Agric. (2 credit hrs.)
Course: Agri 504 – Agriscience for Elementary Teachers (3 credit hrs.)
Course: Agri 541 – Planning, Conducting, & Evaluating Agric Mechanic’s Programs (3 hrs)
Course: AgEd 531 - Topics Relating to Biological Sciences in Agric. (3 credit hrs.)
Course: AgEd 530 - Topics Relating to Physical Sciences in Agric. (3 credit hrs.)
Murray State University (1997-1999)
Rank: Assistant
Course: AED 580 – Methods of Teaching Vocational Agriculture (6 credit hrs.)
Course: AED 421 – Student Teaching: Agricultural Education (8 credit hrs.)
Course: AED 380 – Agricultural Education and Careers (3 credit hrs.)
Course: AGR 534 – Types and Systems of Farming and Agribusiness (3 credit hrs.)
Course: AGR 372 – Agriculture Metal Work (3 credit hrs.)
Course: AGR 199 – Contemporary Issues in Agriculture (3 credit hrs.)
Course: AGR 170 – Introduction to Agricultural Engineering (3 credit hrs.)
University of Missouri (1997)
Rank: Adjunct Assistant Professor
Course: PAVTE F-390 Teaching Methods Course for alternative certification.
University of Missouri (1993-1996) Graduate Assistantship
Rank: Conference Coordinator & Technical Writer for National & State Curriculum
Courses: No courses taught

USDA Maize Improvement Unit located at the University of Missouri-Columbia (1991-1993)
Rank: Senior Research Technician
Courses: No courses taught
North Platte High School Dearborn, MO (1988-1991)
Rank: Missouri State Certified Secondary Agriculture Teacher (Lifetime Certificate)
Courses: Horticulture, Ag Mechanics, Ag Business, Intro to Agriculture, Ag Orientation, etc.
Publications/Scholarly/Creative Activities
Refereed:
Baker, A. J., Thoron, A., & Meyers, B. (2008). The influence of laboratory experience timing on student knowledge-level achievement in an undergraduate introductory agricultural mechanics course. NACTA Journal. 52(1) 7-10. Refereed journal article.
Baker, A. J. & Phillips, T. (2004). Does focusing on individual students perceptual learning needs enable students to achieve more successfully. NACTA Journal. 48(4) 64.
Published abstract.
Bacon, K. J., Anderson, R. & Baker A. J. (2004). Determining the Qualities Agricultural
Employers Want in Future Employees. NACTA Journal 48(4) Published abstract.
Baker, A. J. & Bowman, K. R. (2000). Attitudes and perceptions toward block scheduling in rural Kentucky agricultural programs. The Rural Educator 22(2). Refereed journal article.
Baker, A. J., Linhardt, R. E. & Dunham, M. (1999). Effectiveness of secondary education programs as perceived by high school graduates. The Rural Educator 20(3) 14-18.
Refereed journal article.
Non-refereed:
Baker, A. J. (2007). Implementing a mentoring system to assist with pre-serivce teacher retention. Rural Education in Russia and the USA as an Integral Part of Global Education
Process conference held on October 25-27 th , 2007 in Ryazan Russia. 15-17. Published article/paper.
Baker, A. J. (2006). Understanding how confidence levels among beginning, rural agriculture teachers impact retention rates. Rural Education in Russia and the USA as an
Integral Part of Global Education Process conference held on October 24-26 th
, 2006 in Ryazan
Russia. pp. 37-39. Published article/paper.
Baker, A. J. (2005). Holy Cow! Assessment on-Deck! The Agricultural Education
Magazine. 78(1) 6-8. Invited article
Baker, A. J. (2002). History plays a major role in today’s advancements in agricultural education. The Agricultural Education Magazine. 75(3) 8-9. Invited article

Baker, A. J., & Radosh, J. (2000). Keeping the pipeline open. The Agricultural
Education Magazine. 72(5) 10-11.
Baker, A. J. (1998). What goes around comes around. The Agricultural Education
Magazine. 70(4) 10-11.
Conference Presentations
Refereed:
Baker, A.J. & Toepfer, S. (2010). A ten-year institutional longitudinal study on the learning preferences on pre-service teachers. 63 rd
AAAE North Central Region Research and
Seminar in Agricultural Education Conference Manhattan, KS 10/10/10 Refereed poster.
Baker, A. J., Graham, J. & Harris, K. (2006). International Agricultural Educators
Summer Institute. 36 th
AAAE National Agricultural Education Research Conference Charlotte,
N.C. 5/18/06 Refereed poster
Baker, A. J., Graham, J., & Harris, K. (2005). International Agricultural Educators
Summer Institute. 58 th
AAAE North Central Region Research Conference and Seminar in
Agricultural Education Conference Columbus, OH 9/23/05. Refereed poster
Baker, A. J. & Phillips, T. (2004) A case study on evaluating general education requirements of associate in applied science (A.A.S.) degrees in agriculture. 34 st
AAAE
National Agricultural Education Research Conference St. Louis, MO 5/27/04. Refereed poster
Baker, A. J. & Pickett, J. (2003) A Delphi study on beginning teacher needs in Illinos.
56 th
AAAE Central Region Research Conference and Seminar in Agricultural Education St
Louis, MO 4/4/03. Refereed poster
Baker, A. J. & Bacon, K. (2002). A Delphi study on determining and prioritizing the current needs of Illinois beginning agriculture teachers. National Association of Colleges and
Teachers of Agriculture Convention 6/21/02. (refereed poster)
Baker, A. J. & Pickett, J. (2002) Agricultural literacy: The collegiate experience. 55 th
AAAE Central Region Research Conference and Seminar in Agricultural Education St Louis,
MO 2/22/02. (refereed poster)
Baker, A. J. (2001) Assessing and prioritizing present inservice needs and evaluating past inservice programming designed for Illinois agricultural education instructors. 55 th
AAAE
Central Region Research Conference and Seminar in Agricultural Education St Louis, MO 164-
175. Refereed research study.
Baker, A. J. & Kotile, D. (2001) Assessing and comparing the scheduling systems utilized by agricultural education programs in Illinois. 55 th AAAE Central Region Research
Conference and Seminar in Agricultural Education St Louis, MO 40-52. Refereed research study.

Baker, A. J., & Bowman, K. R. (2000). A longitudinal study of the impact of block scheduling on agricultural education. 54 th
AAAE Central Region Research Conference and
Seminar in Agricultural Education St Louis, MO 2/25/00. Refereed research study.
Baker, A. J., Bowman, K. R. & Winstead, L. (1999). Attitudes and perceptions of agricultural instructors toward block scheduling in Kentucky. Southern Agricultural Education
Research Meeting Memphis, TN 218-227. Refereed research study.
Non-refereed:
Baker, A. J., Graham, J., & Harris, K. (2005) Incorporating international issues into high school agricultural education. Presented at the National Association of Agricultural Educators
Convention on December 10 th
, 2005 in Kansas City, MO.
Baker, A. J. & Graham, J. (2005). Brainstorming session on how to develop instructional materials. Presented at the International Agricultural Education Summer Institute in
July 2005 on the campus of University of Indiana in Bloomington, IN
Baker, A. J. (2005). Using colors for understanding human behavior. Presented at the
Illinois Arborist Association Seminar and Trade Show in Tinley Park, IL on October 19 th
, 2005.
Baker, A. J. (2004). The benefits of having a Sigma Alpha chapter within a Department of Agriculture. Presented at the National Agri-Women Convention in Davenport, IA on
November 11, 2004.
Baker, A. J. (2003). Presentations to the Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees on the research recommendations of the general education requirements of the A.A.S. degree in agriculture on 2/25/03.
Baker, A. J. (2002) "Agricultural Literacy: The Collegiate Experience. Presented at the
2 nd annual Agriculture Awareness Day in Champaign, IL on 2/6/02.
Baker, A. J. (2002) How to work with Guidance Counselors in Agricultural Literacy.
Presented at the 2 nd annual Agriculture Awareness Day in Champaign, IL on 2/6/02.
Baker, A. J. (2001) "Using Students to Teach Students" presented at the 2001 National
Ag-in-the-Classroom Convention in Chicago, IL on 6/28/01. The convention attracted over 500 education professionals from across the country. I presented two concurrent sessions 30 minutes in length. The presentation was centered around the Agricultural Literacy Program established by the Agricultural Education Program at WIU.
Professional and Academic Service
National:
Paper reviewer for the 2011 National Agricultural Education Research Meeting in Coeur
D’Alene, ID
Paper reviewer for the 2010 National Agricultural Education Research Meeting in Omaha, NE

National PAS (Post-Secondary Agriculture Students) Board of Directors representing the
American Association for Agricultural Education 2009-present.
Attended the National Agriscience Integration Institute in Des Moines, IA sponsored by DuPont and Pioneer Inc. I attended with a state team of four individuals with the purpose of integrating inquiry based instruction into the state curriculum. 6/10
Paper reviewer for the 2008 National Agricultural Education Research Meeting in Reno, NV
Paper reviewer for the 2005 National Agricultural Education Research Meeting in San Antonio,
TX
Attended the International Agricultural Education Summer Institute in 2005. I attended with the
Illinois state team, which consisted of three individuals. This event led to a national presentation at NAAE conference in 2005.
Chair of the 2003 American Association of Agricultural Education (AAAE) Pre-Session seminar in Orlando, FL 12/03. Responsible for securing presenters, registration, facility. (national seminar)
Paper reviewer for the 2003 National Agricultural Education Research Meeting in Orlando, FL
Selected as a national Delegate Coordinator for the National FFA Organization (3 year term
2002-2004). Duties include working with the National FFA delegates during the national convention in Louisville, KY and attending the State's President Conference in Washington,
D.C.
Selected as a member of the Professional Development Committee of the American Association of Agricultural Education (AAAE) representing the Central Region (3 year term 2001-2003)
Paper reviewer for the 2001 National Agricultural Education Research Meeting in New Orleans,
LA
Regional:
Elected Secretary/Treasurer for the North Central Region of the American Association for
Agricultural Education. (two-year term) Elected in 2006, reelected in 2008 & 2010.
Judged Outstanding Paper Presentation at the 2010 North Central Region of the American
Association for Agricultural Education Research Conference in Manhattan, KS.
North Central Region AAAE Research Conference in Agriculture Education – Discussion Group
Leader, St. Louis, MO 9/18/05.
North Central Region AAAE Research Conference in Agriculture Education – Discussion Group
Leader, Purdue University 9/17/04.

North Central Region AAAE Research Conference in Agriculture Education – Session Chairman
St. Louis, MO 4/3/03.
Central Region AAAE Professional Development Committee – Member (2001-2004).
Personally responsible for nominations for regional awards (send out nomination forms, judge, and obtain plaques for winners)
Central Region AAAE Research Conference in Agriculture Education – Session Chairman St.
Louis, MO 2/22/02.
Central Region AAAE Research Conference in Agriculture Education – Session Chairman St.
Louis, MO 2/23/01.
State:
Member of the Illinois Committee for Agricultural Education. The 13 member committee is appointed by the Governor approved by the Illinois State Senate on November 3 rd
, 2005. It is a three-year term. Reappointed in 2008 and selected as Vice-Chair of the committee in 2011.
Member of the Board of Directors for the Illinois FFA Association one year term 7/08 - 6/09.
Was recognized as a Board Member at the 2009 Illinois FFA Convention.
Member of the Board of Directors for the Illinois FFA Association one year term 7/04 - 6/05.
Was recognized as a Board Member at the 2005 Illinois FFA Convention.
Member of the Board of Trustees for the Illinois Foundation FFA one year term 7/04 - 6/05.
Was recognized as a Board Member at the 2005 Illinois FFA Convention.
Reviewer for National Evaluation Systems Inc. Assessed the standardized evaluation for
Agricultural Education majors for teacher certification. 10/23/03 – 10/24/03.
University:
University Teacher Education Committee - UTEC (WIU) - Representative for the College of
Business & Technology, 2000 - present.
Western Illinois University Selection, Retention, & Appeals Committee in the College of
Education - Member, 1999-present.
Member, Four-year Review Committee for the Dean of the College of Business and Technology
(2010-2011)
Chair of the College Intercollegiate Athletics Committee. Chaired meetings and present the CIA report to Faculty Senate. (2010-2012)
Chair – College Personnel Committee within the College of Business and Technology (2008-
2009).

Member of the ad hoc committee of the UTEC to evaluate dispositions for teacher education candidates (2008).
Member of the University Investigation Committee (2008-2009)
Search Committee Member for WIU’s CITR Director – CBT rep (2008).
Search Committee Member for the Dean’s position within the College of Business and
Technology (2005).
Search Committee Member for the Assistant Director position within Non-Credit programs
(2005).
E-Portfolio Committee within the College of Education (2004-2005).
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee within the College of Arts and Sciences (2003-
2005).
Chairman of the ad hoc committee of the UTEC to evaluate student teaching placement at WIU
(2003-2004).
Board of Trustees / Bachelors of Arts Committee (WIU) - Chairman, 2002-2003.
NCATE Committee (WIU) 2002 – Committee selected by administration to plan for site review in April 2003 – Member.
University Writing within the Discipline Committee – Representative for the College of Business
& Technology, 2002-2004.
Faculty Development Mentor Program (WIU) - I was a faculty mentor to a first-year faculty member (Robert Mann - Math Dept.) for the 2000-2001 academic year.
Department:
Chaired search committee for the AgTM/AgEd position within the School of Agriculture (2010-
2011).
Chair – Department Personnel Committee within the Department of Agriculture (2008-2009).
Recruitment Committee for WIU Agricultural Department - Member, 1999-present
Chair – Scholarship Committee within the Department of Agriculture (2005).
Western Illinois University Collegiate FFA/PAS/Ag Ed Club - Advisor, 1999 to present.

Responsible for obtaining a $5000 donation from the Briggs & Stratton Corp (2006). The donation included 16 small gas engines to be used in the Agr 250 course “Introduction to
Agricultural Mechanics”.
Responsible for obtaining $5000 in donations from the Illinois Farm Development Authority
(2003). Funds were used for recruitment, farm equipment, and instructional resources.
Responsible for obtaining a $6900 donation from the Briggs & Stratton Corp (2002). The donation included 11 small gas engines to be used in the Agr 250 course “Introduction to
Agricultural Mechanics”.
Agriculture Department's Search Committee for Agricultural Business Position to replace Dr.
Rick Hirschi – member 2000
Co-Coordinator for the West Central Illinois Agricultural Education Advisory Council (2000 to present). Members of this council are all of the agricultural instructors in west central Illinois.
The council is designed to help improve the existing WIU’s Agricultural Education Program.
Meetings are twice a year since the spring of 2000. I assist the elected officers with the agenda and meeting arrangements as well as provide necessary documentation.
Community:
Selected to the McDonough County Agriculture Literacy Board – member, 2006 to present.
St. Paul Assistant Basketball Coach (5 th
& 6 th
grades) 2010-2011.
YMCA Soccer coach for 4 to 5 year olds (1999-2011)
Macomb Little League coach (2001-2008)
Selected to the McDonough County Extension Board – member, 2002-2006.
Assisted in securing four $500 scholarships from McDonough County Farm Bureau for the
2002- 2003 academic year. Three scholarships were general agriculture scholarships and one scholarship was designed for Agricultural Education majors.
Grants:
Baker, A. J. (2010) “Growing Agricultural Science Teachers (GAST) Grant” Sponsored by
ISBE. The proposal was awarded $20,000 to assist in recruitment and retention of Agricultural
Education majors at Western Illinois University. Awarded on October 15, 2010 for FY 11 year.
Baker, A. J. (2010). “ISBE Incentive Grant” Sponsored by the Facilitating Coordination for
Agricultural Education. The program was granted $6,007 to promote the Agricultural Education
Program at Western Illinois University. Awarded on October 6, 2010.
Baker, A. J. (2009) “Growing Agricultural Science Teachers (GAST) Grant” Sponsored by
ISBE. The proposal was awarded $42,000 to assist in recruitment and retention of Agricultural

Education majors at Western Illinois University. Awarded on December 23, 2009 for FY 10 year.
Baker, A. J. (2009). “ISBE Incentive Grant” Sponsored by the Facilitating Coordination for
Agricultural Education. The program was granted $12,532 to promote the Agricultural
Education Program at Western Illinois University. Awarded on September 25, 2009.
Baker, A. J. (2009) “Growing Agricultural Science Teachers (GAST) Grant” Sponsored by
ISBE. The proposal was awarded $50,000 to assist in recruitment and retention of Agricultural
Education majors at Western Illinois University. Awarded on March 1, 2009 for FY 09 year.
Baker, A. J. (2008) A follow-up study to the value of the in-service courses among beginning teachers in Illinois. Sponsored by the Facilitating Coordination for Agricultural Education. The proposal was granted $2500 to assess retention rates among beginning agriculture teachers in
Illinois. Awarded on November 1, 2008
Baker, A. J. (2008). “ISBE Incentive Grant” Sponsored by the Facilitating Coordination for
Agricultural Education. The program was granted $14012 to promote the Agricultural Education
Program at Western Illinois University. Awarded on August 25, 2008.
Baker, A. J. (2008) A review of the in-service courses associated with agriculture teacher retention in Illinois. Sponsored by the Facilitating Coordination for Agricultural Education. The proposal was granted $2500 to assess retention rates among beginning agriculture teachers in
Illinois. Awarded on January 1, 2008
Boston, S.; King, J.; & Baker, A. J. (2007). Secondary CTE effects on postsecondary enrollment at a Midwestern university: A longitudinal study. Sponsored by the Illinois
University Council for Career and Technical Education. The proposal was granted $7500 to assess the value of secondary CTE effects on post-secondary enrollment. Awarded on October
1, 2007.
Baker, A. J. (2007). “ISBE Incentive Grant” Sponsored by the Facilitating Coordination for
Agricultural Education. The program was granted $10000 to promote the Agricultural Education
Program at Western Illinois University. Awarded on September 14, 2007.
Baker, A. J. (2006) Longitudinal data on retention rates among beginning teachers in Illinois.
Sponsored by the Facilitating Coordination for Agricultural Education. The proposal was granted $2350 to assess retention rates among beginning agriculture teachers in Illinois.
Awarded on October 1, 2006.
King, J.; Boston, S.; & Baker, A. J. (2006). Post-secondary enrollment: Secondary CTE effects.
Sponsored by the Illinois University Council for Career and Technical Education. The proposal was granted $5000 to assess the value of secondary CTE effects on post-secondary enrollment.
Awarded on September 8, 2006.

Baker, A. J. (2006). “ISBE Incentive Grant” Sponsored by the Facilitating Coordination for
Agricultural Education. The program was granted $9460 to promote the Agricultural Education
Program at Western Illinois University. Awarded on August 21, 2006.
Baker, A. J. (2005) Retention data on beginning teachers in Illinois. Sponsored by the
Facilitating Coordination for Agricultural Education. The proposal was granted $2411 to assess retention rates among beginning agriculture teachers in Illinois. Awarded on October 28, 2005.
Baker, A. J. (2005). “ISBE Incentive Grant” Sponsored by the Facilitating Coordination for
Agricultural Education. The program was granted $5062 to promote the Agricultural Education
Program at Western Illinois University. Awarded on October 1, 2005.
Special Awards:
College of Business and Technology “Excellence in Teaching with Technology” (2011). Plaque and $500 stipend.
Nominee for the “Student Supervisor of the Year” sponsored by WIU’s Financial Aid Office on
4/13/11.
Regional Winner of the “Distinguished Teaching” award at North Central Region of the
American Association for Agricultural Education Conference in Manhattan, KS. 10/10/10
Nomination forwarded as regional winner as national nominee.
Faculty Spotlight in Office of Sponsored Projects Newsletter (Fall 2010). Article highlighted grant writing activities since my tenure at WIU.
College of Business and Technology “Outstanding Service Award” (2010). Plaque and $500 stipend.
HOPE (Honoring Our Professors of Excellence) award from University Housing & Dining
Services for Teaching Excellence award on 4/5/10.
“Student Supervisor of the Year” award sponsored by WIU’s Financial Aid Office on 4/15/09.
Agricultural Education Excellence Award in the area of Education presented by the Illinois
Leadership Council in Agricultural Education. Awarded at the 2004 Illinois State Fair.
College of Business and Technology “Outstanding Service Award” (2003). Plaque and $500 stipend.
Awarded the Illinois State FFA “Honorary Degree” at the Illinois State FFA Convention in
Springfield, IL on June 13, 2002.

Professional Memberships/Affiliations:
American Association for Agricultural Education, 1996 to present
Phi Delta Kappa, 1995 to present
National Association for Agricultural Educators, 1997 to present
Illinois Association of Vocational Agricultural Teachers, 1999 to present
Illinois Association for Career & Technical Education, 1999 to present
Illinois Farm Bureau – member, 2002 to present