At DeeMack, many teachers do more than just teach; Taylor Hoit is one of them. If you don’t know her, she is a special education teacher and for the last ten years has made more than a difference in so many students’ lives, including mine. She checks every box that an educator needs to have: resilience, compassion, etc. She shows constant support for all of her students, and that makes her really special to those who may not have that same reassurance at home. I spent some time talking to her about her life as a teacher, and she had a lot of good advice and fun facts to give.
How long have you been teaching? When and why did you decide to become a teacher?
“I knew I was going to be a teacher in elementary school, specifically 3rd grade. I loved my 3rd grade teacher, she was amazing. And then all through school, I just had really supportive teachers. I wanted to be that for kids. I originally wanted to work with little’s, but applied at the high school and got my job here instead. Everything happens for a reason and I wouldn’t trade my job here for anything because I get to have real conversations with kids and help them through some of the big moments throughout their lives.”
Who inspires you? What makes this person so influential to you?
“My mom, she was a single mom and growing up it was just me and her. Watching her make sacrifices for me has inspired me to be a better mom, a better teacher, better friend, just a better version of myself.”
What’s your favorite unit/lesson to teach? Walk us through what it looks like + why you like it so much!
“So they have these case files, I just did it with my Freshman and Sophomores. They get all the evidence, which they sort through and solve each objective and then once they solve the case they do a presentation about their individual objective. “
She then says “My kids work so differently, they’re capable but it’s difficult to get them to care unless they truly enjoy what they are learning.”
What’s your favorite memory from teaching so far?
“I can’t pinpoint just one, but it’s when kids come back after they graduate or they reach out to me and they tell me how successful they are. I stay in touch with so many kids that I have had. Whether it was in the classroom or just ones I got to know in the hallways. And just hearing about their lives after this place is probably my favorite. “
What’s something you wish your students knew?
“That they don’t have to be perfect. They don’t have to live up to anyone’s expectations but their own and I wish they could see themselves through my eyes. I’ve been blessed with the experience of having kids that only show a certain side to me, they don’t show it with anyone else, and I wish they would be more comfortable with showing it. “
What were you like as a student? Has much of that changed since?
“Well I was a perfectionist, I always strived to get straight A’s. Never actually got them and it killed me everytime. Then I went into grad school and got them every time. I was eager to learn, I wanted to soak it all up. I was close with my teachers, I wanted to make them proud. I was also one of those kids who color coded my notes and if I messed up writing the notes I would rewrite them after class.”
Finish this statement: If I wasn’t a teacher, I …
“Well, I’m currently working on being a school psychologist. I love that element of being able to talk to the kids on a deeper level than I am as a teacher.”
What are you like outside of school? What do you spend your time doing?
“I have 5 year old twins, one of which is very much like me in the sense that she wants to make everybody happy and take care of people. She’s a helper, she loves school, she loves learning. Then my little boy struggles a little bit more so I spend time balancing the needs between the two and just being a mom. Navigating grad school, work, kids. Grad school takes up a lot of time and may be making things harder but I hope they know in the long run it’ll all be worth it.
I also love watching greys anatomy and Law and Order. MLB with boyfriend. Jailyn loves football.”
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to all the students graduating this year?
“Be patient with yourself because you’re not going to do everything right, you’re going to mess up. It’s not a failure if you’re learning from it. Use it to better yourself, and your life.”
Who is your support system when days become hard?
“Justin, my mom, there are several people here that I fall back on like Hammond, Uner, Mccoy. But honestly I tend to just power through things myself, which I’m working on asking for help.”
How has teaching special education been important to you?
“I learned so much from them, they experience life in such a different way because of a label, and helping them navigate the fact that a label isn’t a definition of who you are or your worth is really important to me. And everyday I learn something about myself through them that changes the way that I see the world. I spend multiple hours a day with these kids. I really get to see them differently.”
Mrs. Hoit has made a huge difference in so many students’ lives here. Her kindness, patience and support is something that nobody will forget. If you know Mrs. Hoit you know that she is an unforgettable and selfless person. As the year wraps up, people graduate, and students move onto new things. Some of them left some messages for her…
Keegan Cole (Senior)
“Thank you for being a great teacher and helping with school stuff and my personal life. I probably wouldn’t have gotten through my freshman and sophomore year without you lol.”
Brody Williams (Junior)
“She’s kind, caring, funny, school mom”
Camryn Small (Senior)
“Mrs. Hoit is one of the best teachers I’ve ever had, she adapts to all of our learning abilities and makes us feel heard and seen. Thank You!”
Mason Ebinger (Junior)
“I love that she is caring and that she is willing to help us no matter what”
There’s so much more I could say about Mrs. Hoit but I’m going to cut it short. I can speak for everyone that has the privilege of knowing you, that we’re all very thankful to have you around and couldn’t ask for a better supporter these last 4 years. We love you, and cannot thank you enough for everything you do!
