WomenToday
JANUARY 2026
Mary Taylor
Middle School Principal Talks About The Systems Driving Success on Campus
Get a head start on New Year’s resolutions
Work-related resolutions to consider in 2026
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Purpose in Practice
Principal Mary Taylor and the systems driving success at Foster Middle School By JOYCELYNE FADOJUTIMI /INFINITIEPLUSMAG.COM
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conditions that allow teachers to thrive and students to realize their full potential. “As a principal, my work centers on supporting educators so they can do their best work for students,” Taylor explains. “When teachers are empowered, students benefit.”
ary S. Taylor holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, and a Master of Education in Educational Administration. In addition, she has 15 years of experience in public education.
Professional Journey
Pathway to Educational Leadership
Mary S. Taylor’s career in education is rooted in a lifelong passion for learning and the lasting influence of educators who believed in her potential. Those formative experiences shaped her understanding of education as a cornerstone of equity and opportunity. This belief ultimately led her to pursue campus leadership, where she views her role as creating the
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Mary Taylor received the TASSP Leadership in Diversity Award in 2022
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Taylor began her career as an English II and III teacher at Longview High School (2010–2015), where she developed a strong foundation in instructional practice and classroom leadership. She then served as Longview ISD’s Secondary ELA Instructional Specialist (2015–2019), partnering with teachers across campuses to strengthen curriculum alignment and instructional effectiveness. In 2019, Taylor transitioned into campus leadership as Assistant Principal at Judson STEAM Academy, a role she held until 2023. Since then, she has served as Head JANUARY 2026
“I lead by listening first. My goal is to partner with teachers and ensure they have the time, resources, and support needed to implement initiatives with fidelity and confidence.” FMS Principal Mary Taylor on School Leadership
of School at Foster Middle School, leading with a clear focus on academic excellence, collective growth, and equitable outcomes for all students.
Leadership Vision and School Culture
Taylor envisions an ideal middle school as a place where high expectations and strong support coexist. In her view, students should be challenged academically while feeling safe to take risks, learn from mistakes, and grow. There is more. Central to this vision is an inclusive and welcoming culture in which every student feels seen, respected, and connected. Taylor emphasizes student agency as a
defining feature of effective middle schools, noting the importance of providing students with voice, choice, and leadership opportunities that build confidence and ownership of learning.
Supporting the Elementary-to-Middle School Transition
Importantly, Foster Middle School takes a deliberate, student-centered approach to supporting students as they transition from elementary school. Initiatives such as Dragon Camp allow incoming sixth graders and their families to become familiar with campus routines, schedules, expectations, and staff before the school year begins. Contd. on Page 4
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“This honor reflects the commitment and grit of our students, staff, and families. Foster strives for excellence every day, and being named a Demonstration School shows the nation what our community already knows — our kids can compete and excel at the highest levels.” FMS Principal Mary Taylor on NABSE accolade
In addition, the Student Support Services team— including counselors and the Community in Schools (CIS) coordinator—provides ongoing academic and socialemotional support to ensure students feel connected, prepared, and supported throughout their transition.
partner with teachers and ensure they have the time, resources, and support needed to implement initiatives with fidelity and confidence.”
Academic Development and Student Support
Furthermore, to support students who are struggling academically, Foster Middle Leading Through School prioritizes strong Tier 1 Curriculum Change instruction in every classroom, Moreover, Taylor’s including purposeful smallleadership approach during group instruction embedded in curriculum changes or district daily lessons. When additional initiatives is grounded in clarity, support is needed, the campus collaboration, and trust. She responds with targeted prioritizes helping teachers interventions rather than understand the purpose generalized solutions. behind new initiatives and Moreover, students have how they connect to improved access to intervention classes, student outcomes. academic support during “I lead by listening first,” Leadership class, and beforeTaylor notes. “My goal is to and after-school tutorials.
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Student Well-Being and Behavior Systems
Foster Middle School implements a comprehensive Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) for behavior, emphasizing proactive instruction, targeted support, and positive reinforcement. At the Tier 1 level, the campus-wide SOAR expectations clearly define appropriate behavior across all settings, while the CharacterStrong curriculum provides consistent socialemotional learning and character development. Also, Tier 2 supports include designated SOAR teachers who deliver targeted interventions to reduce behavior referrals. For students with more intensive needs, Tier 3 supports include mentoring through counselors, the Student Support Services coordinator, and community-based mentorship programs. Likewise, positive behavior and attendance are reinforced through incentives, including six-week rewards for grade levels with the fewest referrals, reinforcing the connection between engagement, attendance, and student success. Contd. on Page 6
Foster Middle School Leadership Team wishing students and families happy holidays – 2025
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These layered supports are designed to close learning gaps, build skills, and strengthen student confidence.
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Supporting Early-Career Educators
Notably, Taylor places a strong emphasis on supporting early-career teachers and those new to middle school education. Each teacher is paired with a TXBESS mentor who provides ongoing, campus-based support throughout the year. These teachers participate in daily Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) focused on lesson planning, rehearsal, data analysis, and instructional refinement. Targeted professional learning, individualized coaching, and consistent feedback from TTESS appraisers further ensure that teachers feel supported, confident, and positioned for success.
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differentiation, and a positive classroom culture where students feel safe taking academic risks.
Collaboration and Teacher Leadership
Collaboration at Foster Middle School is intentional and structured. Daily PLCs provide protected time for
teams to analyze data, plan instruction, rehearse lessons, and refine practice. Teachers frequently lead professional learning within their teams, sharing strategies and insights based on student needs and performance trends. Hence, this collaborative culture builds collective ownership, strengthens
instructional quality, and directly impacts student learning outcomes.
Family and Community Engagement
Taylor views family engagement as essential to student success. Therefore, Foster Middle School has established a Parent Advisory
Defining Effective Instruction
When observing classrooms, Taylor and her leadership team look for clear alignment to standards, explicit instruction, and lessons driven by clearly articulated objectives. Effective classrooms demonstrate high levels of student engagement, including academic discourse, frequent checks for understanding, and responsive instruction. Additional indicators of effective practice include purposeful pacing, datainformed decision-making,
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Foster Middle School garners national acclaim
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Board to elevate parent voice in campus decision-making and hosts regular events such as family game nights, Title I meetings, and Campus Improvement Team meetings. The campus prioritizes consistent communication through Thrillshare, email, and social media. Families also have access to Google Classroom and online instructional programs such as i-Ready, enabling them to actively monitor and support learning at home.
success as confident learners, leaders, and contributors to their communities.
New Recognition
Most recently, Foster Middle School was honored as a NABSE Demonstration School during the 53rd Annual National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE) Conference in Chicago. This designation— one of NABSE’s highest honors—recognizes campuses that serve as national models for equity, instructional innovation, leadership, and Looking Ahead: student achievement. The recognition followed The Next 3–5 Years Foster’s presentation on Over the next three to five nationally noted practices years, Taylor envisions Foster and highlights the campus’s Middle School continuing strengths in high-impact its intentional cycle of instruction, inclusive culture, improvement, with sustained strong family engagement, growth for both students data-driven growth systems, and staff. For this reason, and leadership that empowers campus goals include closing achievement gaps, maintaining both students and staff. Superintendent Dr. Marla a 95 percent or higher state Sheppard noted that the accountability rating, and honor reflects the district’s strengthening instructional quality across all content areas. upward trajectory, stating that Foster Middle School Foster aims to remain a exemplifies what intentional model middle school known leadership and strong systems for collaborative teacher can achieve. Principal Mary leadership, strong academic Taylor emphasized that and behavioral support systems, and authentic family the recognition affirms the collective commitment of and community partnerships. Most importantly, the campus students, staff, and families, reinforcing the belief that Foster will continue preparing students can compete and students not only for the next excel at the highest levels. grade level, but for long-term
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Get a head start on New Year’s resolutions
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fter the rush of the holiday season has largely ended, and the excess of the season starts to weigh on celebrants’ minds, it is customary for many people to start thinking about the changes they want to implement in the new year. According to a Pew Research Center survey of United States adults conducted in January 2024, 30 percent of people reported making at least one resolution, with half of this group making more than one. The survey also found that young adults are the most likely to make New Year’s resolutions, with 49 percent of those between the ages 18 and 29 saying they have made a resolution. It’s never too early or late to start thinking about what to improve upon in 2026, or which goals to set. Here are some common resolutions and how to implement them.
Exercise more.
Getting in shape is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions every year. Gym memberships spike and people often invest in home exercise equipment around
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this time of year. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, wearable technology continues to be a top trend in fitness and has been a mainstay since 2016.
Improve mental well-being.
Getting in shape is not the only health-related goal this time of year. Mental health also comes into play when people make their resolutions. Taking opportunities to slow down and be more mindful can help.
Quit smoking.
Learn a new language.
Learning a new skill or language is another popular resolution. Today there are many apps available to help people learn one or more new languages. From Duolingo to Babbel to Memrise, there are programs available whether one is a visual learner or wants to jump right into specific phrases. Many people get a jump-start on identifying their resolutions in early- to mid-December so they’ll be ready to move forward come New Year’s Day.
Quitting smoking is a worthy goal. Health care experts know smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer and has been linked to more than 27 diseases. Many people want to quit smoking, but the Mayo Clinic says only about 5 percent of people who try to quit succeed without a smoking cessation products. Nicotine replacement items are some of the most popular smoking cessation tools.
Work-related resolutions to consider in 2026
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ew Year’s resolutions run the gamut from kicking bad habits like smoking to finding more time to exercise to learning a foreign language. Many resolutions are about self-improvement, and that desire to live better can extend into the professional arena. New Year’s resolutions can be just as beneficial to a person’s professional life as they can in that same individual’s personal life. With that in mind, professionals can consider these work-related resolutions this January.
Make a concerted effort to change careers.
The numbers are in regarding satisfaction at work, and they’re not very promising. According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace: 2022 report, 60 percent of workers report being emotionally detached at work. Perhaps more troubling is that 19 percent report being miserable at their jobs. Professionals who are not engaged at work can JANUARY 2026
JANUARY 2026
resolve to get the ball rolling on a career change in the year ahead. Look into what that might entail, whether it’s simply applying for new jobs in your field or going back to school to facilitate a career change and take the necessary first step.
with their managers is lacking. Managers can make a concerted effort to improve lines of communication with their staff. Doing so can improve productivity and create a better working environment for all.
Rebalance your work and family life.
Find ways to be more productive.
A 2015 survey of 1,000 full-time professionals in the United States found that 77 percent felt they had experienced burnout at their jobs. Rebalancing work and family life can make more time for things outside of work, including family. That can lead to greater life satisfaction, including a renewed vigor for your career.
Resolve to communicate more effectively with your team.
Even professionals satisfied with their careers can take steps to make their work lives better. There are many reasons why workers feel stressed and burned out, and some may find communication
Remarkably, a 2019 study by Rescue Time found that, in a given workday, workers’ average time of productivity is just two hours and 28 minutes. By making a concerted effort to be more productive, workers can get more done in a typical eight-hour workday, thus paving the way for a better work-life balance. Spend less time surfing the internet, avoid checking your phone for texts and other distractions, and make a daily schedule of tasks to tackle. Each of these steps can help you be more productive in a given workday. When making New Year’s resolutions this January, professionals can resolve to find ways to make their workdays better. WOMEN TODAY
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