Kellis Thompson initially felt out of place at Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center, being in a new school and a new program.
It was Candy Taylor, the campus’ Teacher of the Year, who changed that.
Taylor makes a point of building a personal connection with students, Thompson shared in a nomination letter. She asks students what they are doing in class and how they’re doing, and is interested, the student wrote.
“The reason it felt so genuine is simple: she genuinely did care,” Thompson said. “... I do wish that every school had the privilege of having a person like Ms. Taylor, someone who is the glue that holds us together.”
Taylor is a vocational resource educator and has been with the district since July 2020. She previously worked with Doniphan elementary students from July 2018-June 2020. She’s also worked in the Arkansas districts of Corning, Rector and Piggott.
At the TCC, Taylor works with students in a variety of ways, from helping those with Individualized Education Plans, to securing educational grants and loans and leading tours for visitors. She is the advisor for the National Technical Honor Society and campus testing coordinator.
Taylor is in the middle of every event that happens at TCC, Abby Crites, a health occupations instructor, wrote in a nomination form.
“She constantly has her camera ready to capture special educational moments and is never scared to get her hands dirty doing any type of behind the scenes work...,” Crites shared.
Taylor has a deep passion to help students in need, she continued.
“Many staff members don’t even realize the lengths to which she has gone to assist our students,” Crites said. “During her first year at TCC, she volunteered to do laundry for a student who did not have running water at home. ... Another adult student did not have diapers for her toddler and was struggling to provide food in the home. So that the student would not have to miss class, Mrs. Taylor stood in line at the Bread Shed and gathered the much-needed food and diapers.”
Taylor has also taken initiative and control of difficult situations and events, said Michael Barrett, a computer science instructor.
“If a student is struggling with anything, she is always willing to help in any way possible,” said Barrett, describing Taylor’s efforts to help with the SkillsUSA district conference, assist students with writing resumes or applying for scholarships, and act as an advisor for the National Technical Honors Society.
Parent Sharia Shipman praised Taylor for prioritizing community service projects, and for helping the family through an issue with a student aid application.
“She is the kindest, sweetest, most dedicated teacher that I know,” said Shipman.
Taylor spent two months helping gather the documentation needed to get an override judgment for a federal financial aid document, said student Ethan Morlan.
“She never stopped until I was able to secure grants and loans to cover my educational expenses,” he said. “Even more than this, she cares about me, encourages me, always greets me with a smile and takes an interest in my progress at TCC...”
Taylor holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in education from Arkansas State University. She received the 2004 ASU Outstanding Alumnus Award and the 2007 Arkansas State Department of Education Act 56 Award.
She has also volunteered with Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child Ministry for more than 20 years, as well as other community projects, and is active in church music programs.