OUR TOWN
One of the things I enjoy most about the start of a new school year, even in retirement, is the opportunity of speaking to the Taylor Independent School District’s new employees at their orientation. I love talking about our community and sharing our unique heritage with those new to the area. My goal is for them so become so proud of their new hometown they can’t wait to tell others about the great decision they made in choosing Taylor.
I get especially fired up when I talk about people from Taylor who have taken flight and are soaring high. So many have gone on to do great things right here at home as well as at state, national and even international levels.
That’s where my comments quickly turn toward school, and the role of these local educators in shaping the future.
I like to mention former Taylor teacher Miss Elizabeth Easley. Miss Easley began teaching in Taylor in 1892 when Professor A. E. Hill was Taylor’s first superintendent. She taught second, third, fourth and fifth grades at the three-story brick school building on Eighth Street when it held all grade levels, and then at Twelfth Street School after it was built.
Little did Miss Easley know at the time, but one of the students who spent a year in her classroom learning academics as well as how to be a good citizen, went on to become the governor of Texas.
Dan Moody, known as “Texas’ Youngest Governor” as well as for his efforts in bringing the Ku Klux Klan to justice, was one of Miss Easley’s students.
Think of all the Taylor educators that had a role in preparing Dr. Steve Burkhart for his future success. The 1968 graduate of Taylor High School earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering before going on to medical school to become an orthopedic surgeon.
Then he combined his medical and mechanical engineering know-how to invent devices and procedures that changed how doctors around the world perform shoulder surgery. This Taylor Duck’s pioneering work in shoulder arthroscopy is known to have revolutionized rotator cuff and instability repair. He holds 75 U.S. patents and has authored 220 peer-reviewed publications on shoulder biometrics and pathology. He has trained thousands of surgeons worldwide. His textbooks are medical bestsellers and have received multiple awards.
Elmore “Skip” Torn’s teachers might remind you that students often discover their talents at different times. While in high school, Mr. Torn failed to get a part in the school play, but after graduating in 1948, and changing his nickname to “Rip,” the community watched on national television as this Taylor Duck accepted an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
In 1998, he returned to Taylor for his induction into the Taylor High School Duck Hall of Fame.
The great thing about this tradition of taking flight and soaring high is that it is not a thing of the past. People from Taylor continue to do great things in the world today.
As Taylor ISD’s communications director, I thoroughly enjoyed calling Coach Mike Tennill and Coach Gerald Jones and telling them I wanted to put them on the news to talk about their former student athlete Fred Kerley, who went on to win two Olympic medals.
One of the best parts of my career has been to watch students grow up and become doctors, police officers, firefighters, business owners and so much more. It’s especially exciting to see them return as colleagues.
One of the two people who replaced me when I retired from Taylor ISD is a former student. That was a really exciting way finish to my career.
Taylor’s youth today are already taking flight and soaring high. Have you noticed our Academic Decathlon students always rank in the state’s top three, and are often in the top six nationwide? Culinary students, color guard, band and a variety of sports are known for consistently ranking at the state level and beyond.
I always tell new employees to dream big for their students. There may be a future governor in their class, it’s happened before. There may be a future world-renown surgeon sitting in one of those desks, it’s happened before. A future movie star, TV sitcom star, TV talk-show host, president of a major oil company, famous cartoonist, Olympic medalist, NFL star or NBA star may be preparing for future success from the lessons taught this year. It’s all happened before.
The students we teach this year may return years later to teach in the classroom next door, or to be the principal of the school, or to serve on the local school board or as mayor. It’s happened before.
I think it’s really cool the Ex-Students Association recognizes those who have taken flight and are soaring high with inductions into the Taylor Duck Hall of Fame. This is Taylor, and the tradition continues.
Join me here again next week as we take a look at another incredible tale from Taylor. Until then, make it a great week and be proud of where you’re from.
Crow is a longtime Taylor resident and retired from the Taylor Independent School District after 40 years of service. For a topic or suggestion, reach out to Crow via jason.chlapek@granitemediapartners.
com.
