Educator Spotlight: Taylor Clemens

Heather Ainsley
ECB Publishing, Inc.

The art of teaching is one that is arguably the most important in the world. When we are very young, we rely on our parents or guardians to teach us basic motor skills, how to eat and how to take care of ourselves. As we gain independence, our teachers in life guide us through discovering the world around us, mastering new skills and habits along the way. Even the most experienced and prestigious professions in the world are only possible with the help of educators. This week, we spotlight the efforts and dedications of one of Jefferson County's very own educators, Taylor Clemens.
Clemens discovered her love for teaching in her early teen years, through mission trips to Haiti that her church organized as well as through a summer internship where she taught VBS to kids. As an accomplished athlete herself, Clemens began to dream of combining her love of athletics with her love of teaching, and initially considered becoming a Physical Education teacher. However, worried that P.E. might be cut from some schools' budgets, she decided to lean on another of her strengths, and instead became an Elementary teacher at Jefferson K-12, specializing in 5th grade Science.
Clemens says that while she has always had a talent for math, teaching science has been surprisingly rewarding, and now the two subjects are neck and neck for the position of favorite. Her favorite thing about teaching science is the ability to connect the in-classroom lessons to the students using hands-on exercises that they can apply and witness in their own lives.
Although she describes herself as “stern,” Clemens is always careful to approach each student with compassion.
“You never know what a student goes home to,” says Clemens solemnly. “It's an important thing, as a teacher, not to just yell at your students. You need to check in with them, give them a break. Show them you care and are there for them. They'll respect you once you build a mutual respect and rapport with them. A kid may come in happy one day, and with a terrible attitude the next day, and you may never know what they are facing out of the classroom that causes that bad attitude. I have 5th graders who have been through more than me, and I'm 27.”
Clemens says that building a mutual bond with her students helps to overcome even the most difficult challenges she faces in the classroom, including having students who are two or three grade levels behind.
“It's a challenge to get these kids caught up if they don't care,” says Clemens, who says building a strong level of trust with her students is crucial to getting them to engage in their lessons. “You have to find a way to put that fire in them for their education.” She spoke for a moment about the new direction that Jefferson has been taking this year, with the 'Restore the Roar' efforts with the School District.
“It starts with consistency,” she said, mentioning that students who come from difficult backgrounds don't always trust strangers easily, and that being a consistent, positive factor in their lives can make a huge difference in their willingness to learn, trust and become invested in their own education. “It's an amazing thing, when you gain the respect and rapport with a student who came in on the very first day saying flat-out: 'I don't like you.'”
Beyond building respect and stability with her students, Clemens strives to make learning fun for the kids. “I like to joke around,” she says, with a twinkle in her eye. “I want to show these kids that school doesn't have to be boring. That learning can be fun! It's so rewarding when they get the 'ah-ha!' moment, especially when it happens for a kid who has been struggling.”
Clemens believes that the biggest asset to teachers is support from the parents. She enjoys seeing parents get involved in what their children are learning, and hold students accountable to completing homework that gets sent home with them. This helps the lessons stick, and also helps keep the parents up to date on what their kids are currently studying.
Clemens dreams of getting her Master's degree, and becoming an instructional coach in the future. Currently, she also works as a coach for the school's softball and volleyball teams. She also wants to bring additional programs and after-school clubs to the school, which will offer her students activities, outlets and opportunities that they may not get at home. While she has high hopes for the future, for now, Clemens is content to continue striving for excellence in the classroom.
“If God doesn't move me,” she says, “I'd love to stay here. My heart is in Jefferson. I want to keep building up these kids.”
Clemens is the mother of a spunky, life-of-the-party two-year-old daughter, Rhylen, and when she isn't working, she enjoys spending time with her family.