Taylor wins teaching award

The Hot Springs County School District has another educator to add to their long list of award winning staff – Kinley Taylor, winner of the National University System-Sanford Teacher Award as a top inspiring teacher in Wyoming.

Taylor, a kindergarten teacher at Ralph Witters Elementary, was surprised by the announcement and will receive $10,000 in recognition of her work supporting student development and achievement.

She now joins the ranks with teachers from all 50 states and the District of Columbia as one of the nation's top inspiring teachers.

"At first, I was so shocked and surprised," Taylor said. "The e-mail that asked us to attend the Zoom meeting was titled as an 'update.' I honestly had no idea they would even be announcing the winners, let alone me being one of them.

"After the initial shock, I could only appreciate and reflect on all of the wonderful people that God has put in my life to shape me and coach me. I am very grateful for each and every one of them and for God giving me the passion and gift of teaching."

Taylor revamped the Kindergarten program to build on their strengths, give students greater choice in their learning, and to address social and emotional skills immediately when needed.

Students work uninterrupted in small groups, set their own learning goals and are encouraged to express themselves in their work and build resilience by taking on challenging material in developmentally appropriate ways.

Her teaching and learning program builds confidence, relationship building and problem solving skills, and gives all students a positive foundation to succeed in school and life.

Taylor is now eligible to be named the national winner of the Sanford Teacher Award, which comes with a total award of $50,000 and will be announced at a future date.