A steady rain this morning. Showers continuing this afternoon. High 56F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Locally heavy rainfall possible..
Showers this evening, becoming a steady rain overnight. Low 47F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Updated: December 5, 2025 @ 11:04 am
“Jerry Baker, Counselor, History, Math, Reading,” reads the photo caption. Baker recently turned 100.
Photo courtesy WSVSDWHITE SALMON — Jerry Baker, middle school math and history teacher with White Salmon Valley School District (WSVSD) from 1954-1981, recently turned 100 and was honored at the Nov. 19 board meeting during a special recognition and good news segment.
Besides teaching, Baker drove school buses and was an active community member: running the pool each summer and organizing local tennis events, helping lead celebrations like Huckfest, and delivering Meals on Wheels.
“I had the chance to meet Jerry’s daughter, Stacie, and she shared that people still stop Jerry to tell him he was the reason they stayed in school, or the teacher who helped them believe in themselves at a moment when it really mattered,” said Superintendent Rich Polkinghorn. “In education, so much of what we do is intangible. The outcomes are often years away, and the impact can be hard to measure. Hearing how Jerry helped students stay the course, and how those words still find their way back to him after all these years, is a powerful reminder of what this profession can mean. Jerry didn’t just teach students, he changed lives.”
Baker and late wife Lois had a shared commitment to education. The Lois Baker Library at Henkle is a testament to that, Polkinghorn said, and “stands as a reminder of her impact, and together their legacy continues to ripple across generations.”
“Reaching 100 years is remarkable on its own. Reaching 100 years after spending a lifetime lifting up a community is something truly special,” Polkinghorn said. “We are grateful for Jerry, for all he has given this district, and for the lasting influence he continues to have on so many. Happy birthday, Jerry, and congratulations on this incredible milestone.”
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