March 3, 2021 Sharing the joy of learning

The Hazelwood School District’s Teacher of the Year brings a love of learning to her science classes

By Charlotte Beard

The Hazelwood School District (HSD) recently announced its 2020-2021 Teacher of the Year – Dr. Kelly Taylor, a science teacher at Hazelwood West High School.

The Arnold, Missouri native started her teaching career with Saint Louis Public Schools at Carnahan High School in the 2007/2008 school year. She switched to the Hazelwood District–Hazelwood West High School in the 2016/2017 school year.

When Taylor was asked what inspired her to become a teacher she shared, “When I was a small child, I remember pretending to be a school-teacher. I would prepare lessons, teach friends how to make things, and give everyone an ‘A’ for doing a great job. (However), I experienced unpleasant and demeaning educational practices as a child. My early experiences in school were disappointing and by the third grade I grew to dislike school. I became more and more disinterested in education as the years went by and due to behaviors, attitudes, and comments made by teachers, I was convinced that education just ‘was not my thing.’ In fact, I left my school experience believing that I was on the ‘housewife track.’ The choices and decisions I made as an adult were greatly influenced by the limiting narratives communicated by the teachers in my life. Eventually, I reached a crossroads and decided to pursue opportunities that would release me from the limitations other (people) envisioned for my life.”

It took some time for teaching to come into focus for Taylor as she developed her skills in a separate career.

“I was fortunate enough to find a job in which I quickly rose to a leadership and training position,” she said. “This experience built my confidence while helping me realize my calling to a sense of purpose to help others with not just gaining skills, but also gaining autonomy. I began seeing myself develop the critical skills of a teacher as I helped (people] I trained gain new skills— helping them gain confidence in their own abilities and ultimately become self-reliant. Fortunately, this affirming experience as an adult positively transformed my trajectory and led me back into the classroom, this time as a teacher.”

In a time where more women are being encouraged to become involved in STEM, Taylor’s reason for choosing science over any other subject in which to become an educator is partially driven by her more positive experiences in her early years. She spoke of her favorite science teacher, Art Casey, who taught her to “appreciate the pursuit of knowledge in science.” “The most influential person in my decision to become a science teacher was my

Photo courtesy Hazelwood School District

The Hazelwood School District (HSD) recently announced its 2020-2021 Teacher of the Year – Dr. Kelly Taylor, a science teacher at Hazelwood West High School.

‘LEARNING’ from cover

dad, Bill O’Hara,” stated Taylor. “He and I shared a love of biology, forensics and archeology. We spent many evenings talking about medical discoveries and healthy living. Ironically, as an adult that understanding would become pivotal when I became a caregiver for him as he battled lymphoma. Sadly, my dad lost his battle, but the experience drove me to become even more committed to helping young people understand biology so that they could advocate for themselves or loved ones and not be afraid to ask questions or demand answers. I knew at that point that science education was the only path for me.”

“Dr. Taylor is an outstanding educator and role model for both students and colleagues,” stated Dr. Nettie Collins-Hart, Superintendent of HSD. “Her commitment to our district and students is awe-inspiring.”

Taylor’s commitment as an educator carries over to her role as an instructor for Honors Biology, Principles of Biomedical Science, and AP Environmental Science at University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL). Additionally, Taylor has been serving as a science instructor for UMSL’s Pre-collegiate Bridge Program since the summer of 2011.

“The Summer Bridge program provides middle and high school students with a four-week enrichment program that will prepare them for the rigors of college,” stated Taylor. “Students receive enrichment instruction in mathematics, science, intensive writing, and college and career readiness. There is an application process and students must be motivated to learn and participate in the enrichment experience. Our scholars in the Bridge program collaborate, investigate, create and explore various careers and courses of study to pursue their dreams.”

Taylor has a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and certification in unified science. Her master’s degree in biology was received from Washington University in St. Louis. In addition, Taylor possesses a doctorate in education leadership/teacher leaders from Maryville University.

To view Taylor’s acceptance speech for her HSD Teacher of the Year award, visit https:// www.hazelwoodschools.org and click on the HSD TV icon in the middle of the home screen.

With the St. Louis theater community continuing to be severely impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the St. Louis Theater Circle has officially canceled its 2021 awards event.

The St. Louis area is now nearing the one-year anniversary of pandemic protocol, including the virtual shutdown of all in-person theatrical events since mid-March 2020, less than one-fourth of the way through the calendar year, on which nominations are based. So few productions were mounted in 2020 that there is no way to have an awards ceremony on a scale similar to the previous eight ceremonies hosted by the organization.

Some, if not most, of the more than 30 categories wouldn’t even have a full set of traditional five nominees. After reviewing the numbers, Theater Circle members thus have voted not to hold their traditional presentation in 2021.

With more people getting vaccinated against COVID-19 every day in St. Louis, Missouri, Illinois and elsewhere, the Theater Circle looks forward to the eventual return of live theater. Its hope at this time is to combine shows produced in 2020 with any mounted later in 2021 for consideration for nominations for our ninth annual event, which is tentatively scheduled for 2022.

The mission of the St. Louis Theater Circle is simple: To honor St. Louis professional theater. Other cities around the country, such as Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco and Washington D.C., pay tribute to their own local theatrical productions with similar awards programs.

For more information, contact stltheatercircle@sbcglobal.net, mark@bretzpr.com or the St. Louis Theater Circle’s Facebook page.

St. Louis Theater Circle cancels 2021 awards event

COMMUNITY VOICES

By Jessica Woolbright

Domestic abuse: another issue compounded by pandemic

Nearly all of our lives have been upended to some degree by the COVID-19 pandemic. At a minimum, our daily routines – going to work or school, running errands, socializing, obtaining healthcare and more – have been restricted and rearranged.

For victims of domestic abuse, even these small changes can lead to an increase in the frequency and intensity of the abuse, as well as decreased opportunities to seek help.

The stress of job loss or other financial insecurity, helping children navigate online learning, health worries, and simply increased time spent together at home can all be aggravating factors for verbal, emotional, and physical abuse.

With fewer outings to work, school, shopping, social events, and elsewhere, victims who want to reach out for help have fewer opportunities away from their abusers to do so.

Those wishing to leave face the challenge of finding somewhere to go. Victims may be less likely to turn to friends and family members due to concerns about spreading the virus in close quarters. Similarly, social distancing considerations have forced shelters to operate at reduced capacities.

Saint Martha’s Hall, a Catholic Charities of St. Louis agency, helps abused women and their children break the cycle of violence in their lives by offering safe, confidential shelter and services, including crisis intervention, individual and group support, and follow-up services. We also work to advocate for abuse victims and to educate the community.

The pandemic has impacted the number of women and children we can currently shelter and how we provide in-person services. We have adapted, however, and continue providing critical support through our 24/7 hotline, teletherapy sessions, safety planning, service referrals, and more.

Where to find help

• If you are in immediate danger, dial 911. • If it is safe to do so, contact Saint Martha’s Hall or another local domestic and sexual violence program for support and help in forming a safety plan. The 24/7 hotline number is 314-533-1313.

For other resources, visit saintmarthas. org or mocadsv.org/how-to-get-help/. • Speak to an advocate by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or live chat at www.thehotline.org.

How to help someone you know

While you cannot make decisions for someone experiencing abuse, you can check on them frequently, discreetly share support information, create opportunities for them to be less isolated and provide ways to contact you if they are in crisis.

How to support Saint Martha’s Hall

Saint Martha’s mission is possible due to the generosity of community support. Visit saintmarthas.org/ways-to-help to donate online or to see a list of needed personal care and other items. Donations may also be mailed to Saint Martha’s Hall, Mailstop 472001, P.O. Box 953745, St. Louis, MO 63195-3745.

Prior to being named Saint Martha’s Hall Executive Director, Jessica Woolbright, MSW, LCSW, served as Children’s Program Coordinator for 18 years. Jessica earned her master’s in social work from Saint Louis University. She is certified in seven Missouri counties as an expert witness for criminal domestic violence cases, is a board member for Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, and has given more than 700 presentations for government, law enforcement, legal, social services, and community organizations, and local schools.

The opinions expressed in this column are the columnist’s alone and do not reflect the opinion of the owners or staff of Community News.