Visible from the classroom windows, Syracuse University’s JMA Wireless Dome sits just up the hill from STEAM at Dr. King Elementary School. For fourth-grade teacher Dylan Gwilt ’17, the view is a reminder of his journey that began in the Syracuse City School District (SCSD).
Raised in Syracuse, he attended Salem Hyde Elementary, Lincoln Middle School and the Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central before earning a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University’s School of Education (SOE), supported by the Say Yes Syracuse Tuition Scholarship.
Now back in the district as an educator, Gwilt inspires the next generation of students to dream big, while mentoring future teachers, including SOE undergraduate Will Baker ’27.
Back Where it All Began
Dylan Gwilt ’17 (right) walks the halls of STEAM at Dr. King Elementary School with Syracuse University student Will Baker ’27.
Growing up in the city, attending Orange football and basketball games, Gwilt knew he wanted to be part of that spirited community at Syracuse University.
“Even though I didn’t have the vision of what I wanted my career to be, I was like, whatever it is, I’m going to figure it out while I’m there,” says Gwilt.
Entering his sophomore year, it was Gwilt’s mom that planted a seed. “She said, ‘I always thought you’d be a good teacher,’” he recalls.
Classroom expectations help foster the supportive learning environment that Gwilt strives to create for every student who enters his classroom.
When he thought about it, it made sense. He always loved school. “Whatever was going on in my life, it was always a safe space—adults who cared about me, kids I could get along with,” he says.
Declaring as an inclusive childhood education major, Gwilt was by chance assigned to his home elementary school for one of his student teaching placements.
“It was just awesome to be part of the Salem Hyde culture again,” Gwilt says. “I got to see some of my old teachers and connect with them as peers.”
After graduating from Syracuse University, Gwilt left the city where he had spent his entire life to teach at a private day school in Connecticut. But in his second year, it didn’t feel right.
“I missed Syracuse. I felt like I had more to give as a teacher, and I wanted to give it to the district that shaped me,” says Gwilt, who returned to the SCSD in 2019 and has been teaching at Dr. King ever since.
Learning by Example
Baker takes the lead in a fourth-grade lesson as Gwilt looks on in support.
Baker joined Gwilt’s classroom as a pre-service student teacher at the start of the Spring 2026 semester. “We just immediately clicked,” Baker says. “Having somebody who understands what I’m going through, who’s been in my shoes before—it’s incredible.”
Growing up in a suburb of Boston, Baker knew in high school that he wanted to be a teacher and chose Syracuse University for its welcoming environment.
“After touring and talking with the dean, I was really drawn in by how closely connected the School of Education was,” Baker recalls. “I was already meeting professors during Welcome Week. They got me into schools right away, which was something I was really interested in, and something other schools just didn’t offer.”
As Baker’s supervising teacher at Dr. King, Gwilt draws on what he learned from the mentor he had as a Syracuse undergraduate.
Working one-on-one with a student, Baker hopes to make the same lasting impact a teacher once made on him.
“You want the student teacher to come in and not just copy what you do,” Gwilt explains. “There are pieces they can try out and see if they fit, but at the end of the day, you want the student teacher to feel confident about teaching. You want them to feel like they’ve developed their own skill set that works for them.”
Baker is an inclusive adolescent education major and originally planned to be a middle school or high school social studies teacher—but he’s grown to love the elementary school environment.
“It was a horrible experience having to say goodbye to the students—probably one of the worst days I’ve had in a while,” says Baker, who wrapped up his placement at the end of the University’s academic year in May.
“It was very apparent that he loves the profession of teaching—he’s going to be a really solid teacher,” Gwilt says. “The kids ask about him every day.”
Baker hopes he made a lasting impact on the students. “If I can show them that there are people out there who care about them—that stays with a kid,” he says. “That’s what someone did for me, and it’s the reason I want to be a teacher today.”
After touring and talking with the dean, I was really drawn in by how closely connected the School of Education was. I was already meeting professors during Welcome Week. They got me into schools right away, which was something I was really interested in, and something other schools just didn’t offer.
Will Baker ’27
For now, Gwilt loves his role as an SCSD teacher and mentor to SOE students. Though he wonders what it would be like to lead from a school-wide perspective as a principal someday.
For Baker, his time at Dr. King has him reconsidering what his future in education could look like—and whether it might include teaching in Syracuse after graduation.
“I’ve loved working in the Syracuse City School District,” Baker says. “I think it’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever experienced.”
