Taylor Umstot

Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher after leaving the nursing profession and feeling lost. I had my degree in Biology and Human Sciences and I had no idea what to do with it. So the “easiest” thing to do was teach. Little did I know that I would find the most rewarding profession with the best students in the world. Now I teach forensic and aquatic science at one of the most prestigious schools in Texas and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable teaching experience would be when I went in blind to a new teaching position in a content I had never taught before. I was honestly not just nervous, but terrified that I would somehow mess it all up. I was greeted with open arms and welcomed in with nothing but kindness and grace into what is now, I hope, my forever teaching home.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would do a couple of things. Firstly, I would like to make a down payment on a home where my partner and I could raise our future family and also finally have a place to call our forever home! Secondly, I would use what, if any, is left to help pay off some student debt from my current Masters Program. It would be such a blessing to do either or both of these things.