Darlene Taylor has worked in education for 27 years and currently teaches fifth grade at Redwood Elementary.

Taylor is a finalist for the Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce’s Educator of the Year award. One elementary and one secondary teacher of the year will be announced at the Chamber Luncheon in February. The winner of each award will receive $1,000 from Ameristar Casino and the runners-up for each award will receive $500 from Mutual Credit Union.     

Taylor earned an associate degree in general studies from Hinds Community College, as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree and a master degree in elementary education from Mississippi College.  

Taylor said structure is an important component of her classroom, no matter what subject she is teaching.

“One lesson I teach in math is adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing decimals,” she said. “The students complete an activity where they plan a vacation and how much it will cost. They determine gas, hotel, food, tickets and souvenir cost. The students work with a partner, which engages all learners.”

Taylor said she enjoys teaching her students practical lessons about life through the lens of different academic subjects.

“Every lesson I teach in math and science are connected to each other,” she said. “I show real-world professions with each science unit. I plan activities in math where they use a budget, plan a vacation, or become a banker. I want my students to have skills that will help them in the future.”

Knowing she is preparing for students is a moving process, Taylor said.

“A new student came to my class at the beginning of the second  nine weeks one year,” she said. “I always wait a few weeks to read about any discipline problems because I believe students need a fresh start. This student was very low academically, so I tutored the student during activity time every day. After one month, I read the student’s file and could not believe what I read. I asked the student why I had not seen that side. (The student) looked at me and said, ‘You care about me.’”

Those moments make all the work worthwhile, Taylor said.

“I teach because it is my God-given ability to inspire students,” she added.