Mr. Austin Taylor, Mt. Loafer Elementary

“The best teachers aren’t just those that help you through a math problem or understand literature, they’re those that transform your lives, help you change and develop into the best person that you can be. Good teachers help you find and develop skills and talents. Help you find a passion for things you love so a lifelong skill of learning is developed, and a great teacher also helps you achieve hard goals by encouraging and supporting you. This kind of teacher can be found at Mt. Loafer Elementary school.

Mr. Taylor has been my daughter’s 3rd grade teacher for this year. To start the year off he sent each student a personal letter that told them how excited he was to meet them and introduced himself. This helped my child feel an early connection with her teacher. When the children got to school Mr. Taylor had all the kids come up with a personal handshake that they would do together when they arrived at school. My daughter felt welcomed and part of her class immediately because of his fun welcome to the class.

During the school year one of the things I noticed with my daughter was she would come home from school, excited to go back the next day because they had a reading test. She was excited to “crush” her reading goal. I think that’s so important that teachers help students be excited to make and achieve goals. I hope this excitement continues on throughout her life and she crushes many more goals.

I also noticed that when a student would go out for individual testing, he had the other students cheer for them. This small action helped the student feel supported from their peers and boosted their confidence. I hope all the students remember this and continue to cheer for those doing good things. I know he is helping these children to become good and kind.

Mr. Taylor also gives parents an opportunity to help in class. During the holidays Mr. Taylor invites parents to come in and run an activity station. This allows parents the opportunity to see how class is run, how our children participate during class and we get to interact with them.

I know Mr. Taylor desires each student to do their best. He encourages parents to bring healthy snacks during testing, so the kids are awake and ready for a couple long hours of required state testing. He wants the children to do their best and a fun snack helps them.

You can also see Mr. Taylor outside playing with the children at recess. All the children at Mt. Loafer have played: football, soccer, double dutch jump rope, four square and many other games with him. I know all the kids love spending time with him. Whether they are in his class or just in the hall way passing him. Mr. Taylor helps the students feel like school is the place to be. He is genuinely happy to see you and be your friend. We are so glad Mr. Taylor is part of our lives.”

-Melanie Medaris

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