Taylor Adams was born in Jackson, Michigan, but grew up in Saginaw with her parents and brother Jake. She attended Michigan State University, cherishing her time there both for her education and the lifelong friendships she formed.
During her youth, Taylor worked various jobs, starting as a Santa’s elf at the local mall. She later found steady work as a babysitter and tutor, positions that foreshadowed her future career. After college, Taylor secured her first teaching position in Ypsilanti, where she taught for eight years before transferring to Ann Arbor Public Schools for the 2003-04 school year—a move that has brought her much professional satisfaction ever since.
King Principal Koren Clinkscale says Adams is an extraordinary fifth grade teacher widely admired for her strong academic instruction and her unwavering commitment to supporting the diverse needs of her students.
“Taylor brings current, research-based practices into her classroom, creating engaging, meaningful learning experiences that inspire and challenge her students every day,” says Clinkscale. “She has built a classroom community where every student feels a true sense of belonging. Her students are not only enthusiastic about learning—they’re eager to participate, take risks, and support one another as they grow. The positive energy in her classroom is unmistakable, and it’s clear that her students feel both valued and empowered.”
Clinkscale says that when she walks into Adams’ classroom, she can immediately feel the warmth, purpose, and joy of learning.
“Her passion for teaching and her ability to build strong connections with students have a ripple effect throughout the school,” she says. “Taylor’s enthusiasm, creativity, and dedication make her a treasured member of the King family, and we are truly honored to have her on our team.”
What inspired you to become an elementary school teacher?
Growing up, I had the most amazing third grade teacher named Ms. Frost, who challenged my preconceived idea of what mold a teacher needed to fit in. She played hockey and incorporated
sports stats into our math lessons, made each student feel special with her “Star Student” binders, and led with humor in the classroom. Seeing her be herself, even at that early age, laid the groundwork for the hope that eventually I could be a teacher like her. Throughout high school and college, I never faltered in the hope of becoming a teacher, and partnered with my love of helping others, the career path always seemed like the right fit for me. I feel very lucky that I’ve known what I wanted to do and be from such an early age.
What do you like about teaching at AAPS, and at King Elementary in particular?
I love the community that King brings to all who enter our school doors. We are constantly surrounded by people who truly love and care for our students and work hard to advocate for their needs while providing such a welcoming space. Knowing that I get to go to work and partner with amazing staff members, interact with supportive parents/guardians, and most importantly, teach the most amazingly wonderful and creative students continues to inspire me to work hard each day!
Having taught both third and fifth grade, what unique challenges and rewards have you found teaching fifth graders?
Throughout my nine years, I’ve had the privilege to teach third, fourth, and fifth graders; however, what makes fifth graders stand out is their huge hearts! They know they are about to enter into a new chapter of their lives the following year as they enter middle school, so knowing that we are all on the same team to prepare them for that next step as we tackle academic, social, and life skills they’ll need, is such a powerful environment. They also operate each day with the knowledge that they are the leaders of the school. Keeping that expectation high for them, but also encouraging my students to keep high expectations for themselves, is imperative and a mindset I know they will continue to keep as they move forward.
The upcoming transition also brings feelings of anxiety, stress, or general concern for “what’s next.” Making sure our classroom is a space where they can express themselves and work to better understand those feelings, as we build our “SEL toolbox” filled with resources, is one of the most important things to me. Plus, we can’t forget about the humor they bring to class each day. My students are so creative, artistic, and full of bright personalities that they bring to our classroom and conversations each day, which makes even daily routines so much fun.
How do you approach differentiated instruction to meet the varying needs of your students, particularly in math and reading?
I think getting to know your students to better understand their needs, but also to provide a space where they can feel comfortable expressing a question or concern, is important for my overall ability to address what individual supports are necessary. Taking this mindset and pairing it with data-based instruction is essential. Consistently finding ways to take both formal and informal assessment data in multiple formats is imperative in my general understanding of where each student is. Taking the data collected and adjusting the pace, format, or type of lesson is important as I work to utilize a variety of engagement techniques to help students better retain information in class and in a small group setting. When I am teaching my students, it’s important I’m drawing on those natural interests they have based on our conversations and the jokes we have in class to keep the kids interested.
Could you describe a lesson or unit that really engaged your students this year?
This year, we created an entire reading unit based on the book “The Wild Robot” that the kids loved! It was so much fun working with my grade level partners to ensure we were hitting the appropriate standards for 5th grade in our mini-lessons while reading a book we knew the kids loved. Having the movie come out as we were reading and working with the book was perfect, as we were then able to compare/contrast the book and the movie to better understand the choices directors have to make when converting a book into another media format. At the end of the unit, the students were able to build their very own “Roz” and it was such a fun unit to begin our school year.
What role does technology play in your fifth-grade classroom compared to when you taught
third grade?
I feel like the kids are sponges when it comes to technology, especially. Using technology effectively vs. excessively in a class is important to me so students can understand how technology can be used as a tool to enhance their understanding of a skill and connection to information, while still making sure they can think critically on an independent level. We use technology to personalize instruction as we utilize reading/math programs that target areas of growth and provide personalized practice. Additionally, we use technology to encourage creativity with sites like Canva, Flipgrid, or Edpuzzle, which allow students the ability to use programs that may be new to them, but provide a space for students to communicate their knowledge in a fun and engaging format.
How do you foster independence in your fifth graders while still providing the support they need?
I think fifth grade is such a huge year in terms of growing their independence and problem-solving skills. This is the year where we really try to give students the information, resources, and safe space to try and make mistakes while learning important lessons along the way. We are always there to encourage the kids and help them understand that making mistakes is proof they are trying something new, then what’s imperative is reflecting on those choices and learning from them to improve for the future. Helping them learn critical life skills they’ll need as they enter middle school like how to manage time, how to manage challenging conversations with peers when we disagree, understanding the importance of organizing our materials so we are set up for success, and how we can best regulate our own emotions when situations arise are important.
The biggest tool I’ve found in fostering independence is asking the kids what they think first before I give my insight, and being an active listener. Hearing the “why” behind different choices, then offering a new perspective that could improve the kids’ pattern of behavior, creates a conversation vs. a teacher simply “telling” a student what to do. This again enhances their critical thinking skills and continues to reinforce a safe, welcoming community that we try to build in our classroom.
What changes have you observed in elementary education since you began teaching, and how have you adapted?
Comparing where education was when I started vs. where it is now is amazing to see how much change has occurred in a relatively short period of time. A huge mindset shift with COVID had to occur, and we as teachers had to pivot to fully understand the essential role that technology can have on a classroom, broaden our own knowledge of technological sites that could benefit students, but also it highlighted the importance of finding ways to connect with students even in a virtual format. After we went back to in-person learning, it was clear that there was a lot of work to be done in terms of re-acclimating students to an in-person environment, not only academically, but socially as well. Seeing the kids re-learn how to independently problem solve and manage conflicts with us teachers was great to see. It showed me daily just how resilient kids are and how teachers set the tone. If you model the expectation, they will reach it, but there needs to be consistency for all. As we’ve settled into our norm the past few years, we have a wealth of tech knowledge we can implement into our daily routines as well as a newfound appreciation for things we may have taken for granted previously.
What aspects of the fifth-grade curriculum do you find most exciting to teach?
I find the fifth-grade curriculum as a whole so interesting because it really is a culmination of the skills they have acquired thus far in elementary school. I think one of the most interesting units has to be our conversations around the colonization of America and the events that led up to the Revolutionary War. Seeing the kids unveil how our country was founded is so interesting for them as they get to hear from varying perspectives and see the inequities. It is also a great space for them to share their voices and beliefs. Plus, we incorporate a lot of project-based learning, so the kids have fun while working with others, as we reenact events like the Boston Tea Party is always such a joy to teach!
If you hadn’t gone into teaching, what do you think you’d be doing instead?
If I hadn’t gone into teaching, I think I would have opened up an art studio based around art therapy and classes for kids. I personally have experienced how much art can positively impact others, both those who create it and those who get to experience it. You can use art to channel so many emotions, so being able to use an art studio to positively impact a community and also offer a space for kids to experience the amazing impacts of art from an early age would be a dream.
How do you typically spend your summers?
Typically in the summers, I am splitting my time between babysitting for a wonderful family in AA I’ve worked with for many years, seeing friends and loved ones, and enjoying the outdoors! I love exploring different hiking trails both in the area and in Michigan as a whole. Getting a chance to see outdoor concerts with friends and going on road trips is also such a fun way to spend each summer.
Favorite podcasts, websites, binge TV show, or streaming series:
I love any thriller or mystery series, so I love shows like “Mindhunter,” “Scandal,” or “Behind Her Eyes.” I love reading anything by Rachel Caine, Frieda McFadden, or Shari Lapena, and of course
I’m a big fan of the Harry Potter series.
Outside of teaching, what hobbies or activities help you maintain work-life balance?
Outside of teaching, making sure I spend as much time outdoors has been so helpful! Especially during warmer months, being able to look forward to a hike after school while I listen to an audiobook or podcast is such a great way to decompress mentally and physically. Additionally, trying out new restaurants/coffee shops/bookstores around town with friends allows me to explore all that Ann Arbor and Ypsi have to offer while meeting new people along the way.
Reading has always been my default hobby because I think it’s amazing how authors can make you feel like you’ve entered a new world with their words. Having a combination of different types of hobbies that you intentionally make time for each day/week is so important to stay physically and mentally healthy, so I can be the best version of myself for the kids each day!
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