With Samsung Austin Semiconductor on the city’s literal horizon, Taylor Independent School District is embracing the change — and seeking community partners.
“I would like all of us in this room to think of ourselves as shareholders,” said Superintendent Devin Padavil at the March 20 “State of Our Schools” luncheon sponsored by the Greater Taylor Chamber of Commerce held at the event center of Taylor ISD.
“Because if you live in Taylor ISD, you are truly a shareholder in our district, and you are investing in our children.
And as our children thrive in our community, the city thrives.”
Padavil shared the stage for his address at the monthly luncheon with Taylor High School’s Director of Guidance & Counseling Rachelle Finck and its Principal Matthew Wamble, whom he credited with adept management within the context of the district’s four goals of its strategic plan, which include excellence in student outcomes, exceptional workplace climate, quality customer service and efficient financial stewardship. “The challenge of being a campus leader is pretty heavy,” Padavil said. “They have got to deal with me. They also have to balance how do we push our educators to improve performance of kids and maintain a good working environment. I mean, it’s a delicate balancing act they have to perform, and Mr. Wamble is doing a great job.”
In the wake of recent school shootings, Wamble discussed safety and security measures that have been implemented at the high school since he came on board last fall, including limiting entrances to just the front and back of the building, and putting monitors in place, as well as achievements, including receiving a passing rating from the Texas State Safety Center.
Wamble said another focus for him has been to communicate with the students and seek their feedback.
“Kids are pretty much the same,” Wamble said. “They all want to do the fun things, the sports and the Ags (agricultural programs), and I would say no kid comes to school to do algebra. It just doesn’t happen. But all kids fundamentally want structure. Sometimes they fight the structure, but they want some structure, and they want to be heard and they want to make sure that their administrators and their teachers are hearing them.”
Finck used her time to provide an overview of some of the new programs recently implemented through Taylor ISD’s Career & Technical Education program.
“We in Taylor ISD believe that every child needs to have multiple opportunities to achieve their unique potential,” Finck said before showing different careers that students can get a head start on through dual enrollment and certificate programs, from plumbing and pipefitting to cybersecurity to culinary arts.
“People can leave Taylor High School with that certificate, which means they can earn money in the career that they have chosen,” she said. “Or if they are a student that decides ‘You know what? I am going to pivot a little bit and not go on this route, I at least have something that if I need to work while I am in college, or work while I am attaining certification, I have a highpaying career that I can fall back on.”
To illustrate the point, Finck talked about her own experience before earning a degree in math education.
“I was that kid, Mr. Wamble, who came to school for algebra,” Finck said with a laugh. “But when I was in High School, I earned certifications in culinary. Does it work for me every day? Yes absolutely ... When I was in college, I was able to work in some high-wage restaurants because I had certifications off the bat.”
Finck emphasized the need for community partners.
“We need businesses that say, ‘Yeah, I am going to allow some high school students come and sit side by side with me and work on an externship,’” she said.
“At the end of the day, we are providing more opportunities and more access for our students, so that they can come back into Taylor and serve our community and sit at one of these tables here in a couple of years.”
Padavil also echoed this sentiment. “What a time to be a part of Taylor, Texas,” Padavil said. “This is one of those cities that is built on an incredible sense of tradition and pride, and I think all of us in this room can see the potential of where this city can go and where it can take our kids.”
