In this episode of the M-TIP Podcast, Dr. Tamara Thomas sits down with Principal of Selma Middle School, Stephen Baker to unpack one of the most inspiring school turnaround stories in North Carolina. Once ranked the 10th lowest performing school in the state and designated a Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) school, Selma Middle has not only defied the odds—it’s redefined them.

Stephen shares his decision to step into the role at Selma in 2019, just before the pandemic struck, and how he led his team through a journey marked by urgency, intentionality, and an unwavering focus on culture. Under his leadership, Selma Middle moved from the bottom 5% to the top 10% in student growth by 2022 and again exceeded growth in 2024.

Key Moments

00:00 Selma Community Impact and Challenges

08:11 "Aiming Beyond Average for Growth"

10:53 Testing Strategy Backfired, Growth Met

20:31 "Fake It Until You Become It"

25:24 "Effective Organizational Strategies and Partnerships"

27:52 Culture: The Secret to Sustained Success

33:57 Enhancing Intelligence Through Vocabulary Teaching

39:32 Cortisol's Impact on Learning

47:11 "Balancing Support and Challenges in Education"

50:26 Building Leadership and Ownership

53:56 Classroom Struggles and Coaching Solutions

01:02:45 Aligning with School Improvement Strategy

01:07:12 Contextual Evidence-Based Education

01:09:47 Tailored Evidence-Based Solutions

Why You’ll Love This Episode

If you’ve ever wondered what real school turnaround looks like, this episode delivers. Principal Stephen Baker doesn’t just talk theory—he walks us through the exact steps his team took to lead Selma Middle from crisis to confidence. It’s a masterclass in leadership, culture, and the power of doing the hard things well.

Connect with Guest - Stephen Baker

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-baker-8107905b/

Website: https://www.johnston.k12.nc.us/

Connect with Host - Dr. Tamara Thomas

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-tamara-thomas-2204b113/

Website: https://drtamaralthomasconsulting.com/

Thanks for listening to the M-TIP Podcast. Selma Middle’s story reminds us what’s possible when vision meets action. Keep striving, keep reflecting, and remember—real change starts with one committed leader. That could be you.