Ryan Baker was looking for a change. By the looks of things, he and his wife, Heather, made a good choice. The head of school at Fellowship Christian Academy (FCA), Ryan’s originally from Phoenix. He was hired by the school in March.
“I came in and shadowed for a while,” Ryan said. “I got to know folks. I got a feel for the culture.”
A graduate of Northern Arizona University – where he majored in English education – Ryan taught for several years in his home state.
“We never really planned to settle in Phoenix,” he said. “We started looking at North Carolina.”
The state has many attributes that appealed to the family.
“North Carolina seemed like an idyllic state,” Ryan, who was raised Catholic, said. “There were mountains here. And we have the ocean.”
After living in Cary for 15 years, the parents of six moved to the Sandhills. The lifestyle, though, hasn’t changed.
“I love being outdoors,” Ryan said. “I love planting plants.”
In Cary, Ryan spent 12 years at Cary Christian School. Eventually, he became Rhetoric School principal and dean of the Upper School at the institution. The stint seemed key in securing his current position.
“I think they were very interested in my experience,” Ryan said.
In terms of credentials and vision, Ryan appears to be the right person for FCA, both now and down the road.
“They are very interested in the idea of bringing in a high school,” he said. “There’s a spiritual fit.”
Established in 2017, FCA goes from kindergarten through eighth grade. Little Promises Preschool has kids ages 2 to 5. It runs for half a day.
Although he’s entering his first year at the school, Ryan’s seen good signs from those involved.
“It’s a special place,” he said. “It’s a sweet place. The families have really bought in.”
Dedication shown by staff is another plus.
“The teachers are committed,” Ryan said.
As noted, Ryan also brings significant teaching experience, even though it wasn’t a profession he gave serious thought to before college.
“In high school, I didn’t know what I wanted to do,” he said.
While at Northern Arizona, he realized his appreciation of the outdoors.
“Flagstaff has one of the largest numbers of Ponderosa Pines,” Ryan said. “It’s not typical Arizona.”
Passion for the outdoors had him considering a career in forestry.
“I was interested in so many things,” Ryan said.
Due to starting at FCA, he hasn’t spent major hours outside this summer.
“There was a lot of time at school,” he said. “There was no vacation this summer. I had a lot of meetings with the administration. We just finished a gym.”
With sports becoming more prominent at the school, the new addition should prove useful.
“Last year, we started a sports program,” Ryan said. “We’re trying to add a couple of sports per year.”
For 2026-27, along with basketball and cross-country, there will be a volleyball team.
Ryan has interest in sports participants can enjoy well beyond their time in school.
“I’m also a big fan of life sports, like tennis and golf,” he said. “I want to do things people can do for years to come.”
Other interests show a well-rounded approach.
“I love literature,” he said. “I love art – and the beauty of how different creators have put things together.”
Ryan also collects books.
~Written by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Dave Lukow. Dave has been honored as both a lyricist and screenwriter. Among other publications he’s contributed to are the Buffalo News, JD Journal, Beckett Hockey, Seminole Player’s Life, Poker Pro, Walmart World, and All In.
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