Profile of a classroom monitor

NEW SCHOOL MONITOR SUPPORTS MCLEAN

Jill Taylor signs up to help during time of need

ARIANA ELAHI CHIEF MARKETING MANAGER & DESIGNER

Jill Taylor has been a stay-at-home mom for the past 15 years. With the pandemic raging, she decided to become an in-person monitor at McLean High School to help watch over students whose teachers are unable to be there in person. She is currently a classroom monitor for English teacher Michael Enos, who is teaching virtually.

Taylor grew up in Michigan, then pursued a degree in English and a second degree in education in Pennsylvania.

“After college, I got engaged to a boy from Virginia and followed him here, where I have been ever since,” Taylor said. “However, I did not marry that boy—I ended up marrying someone else here.”

Her love for Virginia has remained constant for the past few decades.

“I have lived in Norfolk, Stafford, Alexandria, Charlottesville, Leesburg and now we’re here in Fairfax. I really like the state, and I just love popping all over it and loving it from different places,” Taylor said. “So I’m grateful to my college boyfriend for bringing me in, because that was very helpful.”

When she first moved to Virginia, she put her education degree to use. After being a teacher for three years, though, she wasn’t sure if it was right for her.

“I quit because it was hard. I didn’t know what it was really going to be like. While I love language, reading and teaching, I wasn’t ready for the administrative work,” Taylor said. “It’s hard to pick a career when you’re 18 that you would want to do for the rest of your life.”

But after the pandemic began, she wanted to take a more active role in providing support in any way she could.

“I wanted to help. I feel almost as if we’re in a war and everyone has to have a role. I’ve watched my son do online school all year, so I know how much extra work teachers have to do in order to teach online,” Taylor said. “I just thought that if I can help them have one less thing to worry about by being in the classroom, then it’s worth it.”

Taylor’s personal experiences shaped her personality and the way she interacts with others.

“I am a very introspective and empathetic person. I also struggle with depression and anxiety, and they are two big reasons why it took me so long to return to work,” Taylor said. “However, I use them as strengths to give me empathy and compassion towards others who struggle with those diseases.”

As much as Taylor loves to help out in the classroom, she is still overcoming her own challenges.

“The hardest part of this job is just getting up and getting here. I mean that two ways: it is a big change to my routine, and it is a big mental struggle nearly every day,” Taylor said. “I hope by sharing my experience, it can help someone feel less alone.”

Taylor said she took the classroom monitor job not for the money, but for the students.

“I feel for students, because they are wonderful people. This is supposed to be such a fun time, and friends are so important as well as socializing, and I just wanted to get you guys in the classroom as soon as possible,” Taylor said. “It’s really important. It almost makes me cry.”