Dr. Larry Baran
1997 Inductee
Larry Baran has been a classroom teacher for a quarter of a century. His goal is to make his students life-long learners by teaching survival academics during the teachable moments of job skills training.
Baran has produced champions among his disabled students by getting those special education students involved in production of materials for many national events including presidential inaugurations, remembrances of Pearl Harbor and Desert Storm.
Larry Baran is nicknamed Captain Rainbow because he has been able to achieve the impossible for himself and his students. He exemplifies his simple philosophy that "The Impossible Dream Isn't" to all those people whose lives he's touched through his many years of teaching and involvement with the community.
Education
Loyola University, Doctor of Philosophy, 1996 | |
Northwestern University, Master of Arts, 1971 | |
Chicago State University, Bachelor of Science, 1969 |
Career Experience
1980-Present High School Special Education/Vocational Education Homewood-Flossmoor High School |
1971-1980 Learning Disabilities teacher/Diagnostician Chicago Public Schools |
1970-1971 Substitute teacher, Chicago Public Schools |
Special Honors
1996 | Dr. Dresser Cancer Award |
1996 | Clinton Presidential Visit |
1995 | Pentagon recognition WWII Anniversary |
1995 | Marine Corp Recognition Iowa Jima 50th Anniversary |
1994-1995 | Subject of Pentagon Documentary film |
1995 | American Heroes in Education by Readers Digest |
1995 | Chicagoland Metropolitan Area Golden Apple Teacher of the Year Award |
1994 | American Horticultural Society Award |
1993 | Valley Forge Freedoms Foundation |
1991 | President Bush Points of Light |
1989 | VP Quayle Visit |