Mrs. Taylor has been employed at Sunburst Schools since August of 2016.
1. What is your current role(s) at Sunburst Schools?
I currently teach English 9, 10, 11, & 12, as well as journalism and creative writing. In addition to these classes, I serve as advisor to the 8th grade class and advisor to the honor society. As an English teacher, I have the unique privilege of working with every single student in the high school every day for all four years of their high school experience. I love getting to develop strong relationships with my students, seeing their reading, writing, and speaking skills develop over the course of four years, and watching them grow as human beings.
2. What previous teaching, coaching, or other extracurricular activities have you been involved with, if any, at previous schools and how many years of experience do you have?
In 2005, I began my teaching career at West Anchorage High School, where I taught English 9 and 10 and worked with students who had been identified as highly gifted. Having grown up in a school about the size of Sunburst, it was interesting and rewarding to work in a school of over 1,800 students. Following my time in Alaska, I stepped away from my teaching career for 10 years to be at home full time with my own children. I consider my time as a stay-at-home mom to be every bit as rewarding as my teaching career, and I am deeply grateful for that season of life. In 2016, I began teaching part-time in Sunburst, and transitioned to full-time teaching last year.
3. Give us a brief history to include where you are from, where you were born, where you graduated from high school, and where graduated from college?
I grew up on a cattle ranch near Alder, Montana, and attended kindergarten through 5th grade in a one-room schoolhouse. In 2001, I graduated from Sheridan High School in Sheridan, Montana, then earned a bachelors in English Education from Montana State University. I recently completed a Master’s degree in Education, specializing in early literacy learning.
4. Tell us about your family, spouse, or significant other.
I have been married to my husband James since 2003, and we have four children: Vince (8th grade), Jillian (6th grade), Levi (4th grade), and Vivian (2nd grade). As a family, we enjoy skiing, camping, and spending time with extended family, especially the many cousins, aunts, and uncles on both sides.
5. Do you have any pets?
We have a two year old Samoyed named Denali.
6. What are some of your hobbies and interests?
I love reading, gardening, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
7. Are there any other interesting tidbits you want to share about yourself?
I feel extremely fortunate to teach in Sunburst. Growing up, my teachers (particularly my high school English and history teachers Mr. Keller and Mr. Leary) had a profoundly positive impact on my life, and I am grateful to be engaged in a career which, at its best, requires high levels of energy, creativity, thoughtfulness, and compassion.