Kellie Taylor

      All teachers bring their personal experiences into the classroom.  Therefore, I thought I would share a little about me so that you can understand my philosophy on education.  I have been married to a wonderful, genius of a man for the past twenty years.  We have three children, Nathan, Jacqueline, and Katie.  All three have been identified as gifted in our small rural school system, but I feel that every student is gifted.  It's just a matter of helping to discover where their gifts lie.  Nathan is presently a sophomore in college.  Jacqueline, or Jackie, is a senior in high school, and Katie is a sophomore in high school.  

     I returned to college to become a teacher when Katie was in her last year of preschool.  Up to that point, I had been mostly a stay at home mom since Nathan was born.  Financial circumstances dictated that I might need to go to work full time.  I had been helping in my children's classrooms and had always wanted to be a teacher, but didn't think it paid enough.  In rural Idaho, teaching seemed like the best option.  I ended up not having to go to work full time, but I decided to pursue my passion for teaching.  I call it a passion because that is what it truly is.  If you want to get me riled up or in a heated discussion, just bring up education.  

     I earned my bachelor's in elementary education in 2004, pursued my master's immediately after while starting my first full time teaching position, and earned my master's in education technology in 2006.  I recently, a week ago, started my doctorate in educational technology through Boise State's online program.  I have a strong desire to help shape the changes that education is making.  I have walked in the shoes of a parent, educator, and student.  My perspectives are not different than many others, but I feel that my blend of viewpoints helps make me a better teacher and a better parent.

     Amid my career and educational pursuits, I enjoy being outdoors in Idaho.  These tend to be our family activities when we can get away from it all and reengage.  It's nice if you don't get cell service when you are up camping or boating, until of course you realize you left the cat in.  Our family enjoys the occasional movie at the theater and dinner out.  The occasional part makes it even more of a treat.  My husband and I are trying to take advantage of the time we have with our kids and prepare for the time when it is just us.  We tried curling for the first time this winter.  We loved it!  When we have only our schedules to contend with, we plan on spending more time on it.

     This is just a little about me.  I believe my posting exceeds the typical length of a blog, but I hope you will bear with me this time.  Please ignore the time of day I published this.  I am actually very coherent.