William Taylor

Tell us why you became a teacher

Teaching is not something I always wanted to do. When I was in college I was originally there for photography and graphic design. I had a bit of a personal crisis because I wanted to find a career where I could make a difference in the world. I also took a physics class as a prerequisite course and fell in love with science. With the inspiration of a really great instructor this is what led me to becoming a high school science teacher.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I once, accidentally, set the school’s dumpster on fire. I was showing my chemistry class a chemical reaction outside on a hot, midwestern day near the end of May. I thought I had taken all the proper safety precautions and put out any residual flame. I was wrong. I was afraid I was going to be fired for sure (no pun intended). One positive is I got to use a fire extinguisher for the first time. Luckily my principal and superintendent thought it was hilarious and still make jokes about it.

What would you do with the $25,000?

Being a teacher a small rural district I have little expectation that I would win this competition when competing with giant school districts. Teachers do not make a lot of money and no one does it for the money. I honestly signed up because I would like to meet and I would like for my students to meet one of my personal hero’s, Mr. Bill Nye. If I had to choose the money would be used for my wife and I, who is also a teacher, to pay back our student loans and help with expanding our family.