Students walking into the math wing this fall may have noticed a new face greeting them with a smile. That’s Valarie Taylor, the school’s newest math teacher, and even though this is her first year teaching here, she’s already making a strong impression. Taylor didn’t always plan to teach high school; she originally considered becoming an elementary school teacher, but her love for math pulled her in another direction.
“I always really liked math,” Taylor said. “I just thought I could make it more understandable to more people.”
Before transferring here, Taylor taught at Vance-Granville Community College in North Carolina. The shift from teaching college students to high schoolers brought new challenges, but also new energy that she enjoys.
“The difference was definitely behavior and staying on task,” Taylor said. “But I like in high school, how the kids are more interactive.”
Math Department Head Susan Kaplan said Taylor’s energy, patience, and experience made her stand out during the hiring process.
“She has a really bubbly personality, and students respond to that,” Kaplan said. “You walk into her room, and kids are smiling, but they also know when it’s time to focus.”
Students agree. Sophomore Lauren Acosta said Taylor’s structured notes and upbeat personality immediately made a difference in the classroom.
“Her guided notes really help because they give us the lesson step by step,” Acosta said. “She is always in a good mood and always makes the classroom a positive place.”
Acosta added that Taylor is always open to reviewing a concept when someone needs help.
“She is always very helpful when someone doesn’t understand. She’ll go back and show the steps in detail, which has really helped me on assessments,” Acosta said.
For Taylor, creating an encouraging environment is just as important as teaching the content.
“People say math is boring, so I try to put a little energy into it,” Taylor said.
Taylor’s understanding of different learning environments comes from her own unusual school experience.
“I was homeschooled until I went to high school,” Taylor said.
Moving into a large public school after years of small homeschool classes was “a big shock,” but it helped her recognize how overwhelming transitions can be for students and helped shape the supportive classroom structure she uses now.
As she settles into her first year at the Upper Shook, Taylor hopes her students walk away not just with new math skills, but with confidence.
“Everyone can do math,” Taylor said. “It just needs to be explained in a way they understand.”
Acosta said the message is getting through.
“I’ve really enjoyed being in Mrs. Taylor’s class,” Acosta said. “She’s always setting us up for the highest chance of success.”
