‘Java with Jen’ brews up engagement

Taylor superintendent makes time for coffee, community

During October, Taylor Independent School District Superintendent Jennifer Garcia-Edwardsen wants to sit down with residents and chat over a cup of coffee.

“Java with Jen” is at Curbside Coffee, 114 W. Second St., every Thursday morning for a casual meet and greet over coffee or another available beverage, officials said.

“I want to meet them where they’re at. We can grab a cup of coffee, they can share feedback or just say ‘hi,’” Garcia-Edwardsen said.

Times are 9:15-10:45 a.m. Oct. 16, 8-9 a.m. Oct. 23 and 8-9:30 a.m. Oct. 30.

The first “Java with Jen” on Oct. 9 got off to a slow start, although Garcia-Edwardsen had the support of Mayor Dwayne Ariola and his wife, Marie, and many school employees and school board trustees.

A few curious residents stopped by to see what was going on and picked up information about the $147 million bond package and the school funding election set for Nov. 4.

Garcia-Edwardsen is happy to discuss questions or concerns about the referendum and the voter-approval tax rate election, but she added that was not what prompted this new program.

“At Taylor ISD, we believe that feedback is a gift. Whenever we can go out to our community and understand the things that are going well and the things that (LEFT) Jennifer Garcia-Edwardsen, superintendent of the Taylor Independent School District, hosts “Java with Jen” every Thursday in October to meet with residents and chat over a cup of coffee. A $147 million bond election is set for Nov. 4 and the veteran educator says she is happy to answer any questions.

we need to continue to work on to help and strengthen our organization is something that we’re always striving for,” Garcia-Edwardsen said.

Garcia-Edwardsen said she intends to bring the program back for a month in the spring.

For more, visit taylorisd. org or facebook. com/taylorisdducks.