Our Principal

                                          

August 2024

Dear Taylor Families,

We are thrilled to welcome you back to a fresh and exciting school year at Taylor Elementary! We are so pleased to have you returning to us this year or joining our school community for the first time!

Taylor is a school committed to excellence and putting kids first. Academic achievement, commitment to safety, and a sense of belonging and community are high priorities. We have a dedicated PTA who highly support staff and students! We welcome you to join us at our PTA meetings to hear more! Taylor is an Arts Integrated school providing students opportunities to learn through interdisciplinary content and demonstrate their learning through project-based activities. Our teachers utilize problem-based learning approaches, and rigorous college and career readiness standards. Our students demonstrate a high depth of knowledge, practice social and relational skills, and develop strong personal values. Students are provided opportunities to solve problems through the application of creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills. Taylor is committed to preparing students to become productive 21st century citizens through quality instruction and high expectations for student ownership of learning. We are proud to be a Capturing Kids’ Hearts school. This is based on the belief that positive relationships create happy, successful individuals. Therefore, we, as a staff, have committed to putting strategies into place that build those relationships with each student, and with each other as adults in a learning and working community.

A bit about my background for new families: I hail from Michigan originally, so I am a huge hockey fan! I attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins for my undergraduate degree. After, I continued on to UNC in Greeley for post-bachelorette work and my teaching license. I received my Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Leadership from UCCS. My career in education began as a teacher in Falcon SD49 for 10 years. I served Harrison SD2 as an assistant principal for 6 years. Then, I came to D11 as the principal at Carver for 4 years. This is my 9th year as principal at Taylor. My husband, Jim, and I have two beautiful grown children. As a family, we enjoy camping, traveling, and attending almost any sporting events.

Looking towards this school year, I am excited to continue to provide the leadership that will facilitate a school environment that ensures differentiated instruction and effective engagement to meet the needs of each student to the best of our ability. We have some new faces; teachers and staff who are anxious to meet you! Parents, teachers, support staff, and administration all have an important role in encouraging our children to become active learners. Through a close and collegial team effort with all educational stakeholders, our children will be successful. I am confident we can continue to ensure Taylor is a place for all students to learn and grow.

As your principal, I am fully committed to you, our children, our community, and our wonderful school! I look forward to partnering with all of you and I am thrilled that you are part of the Taylor Tiger Team! Please call or stop by to share your comments, concerns, and compliments. You are always welcome!

Sincerely,

Kimberly A. Gilbert

Principal

Taylor Elementary