LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) – Four years now, Taylor Young has walked the campus of the University of Louisville. Now just weeks away from graduation she says she is ready to begin her dream career as an educator.
“I’ve always wanted to be a teacher. I remember when I was in 7th grade I was a part of the Future Educators Association,” says Young.
A Louisville native, Young says it has been her dream to teach high school English in JCPS. Encouraging students, watching them grow and being a part of their development is what drives her ambition to be an educator.
“Once a teacher finds that activities are working and that they can truly make an impact in encouraging the kids of Kentucky then I think that just makes the job worthwhile,” says Young. “It’s all about service. What can you do for these kids? How will you what you taught these kids, how will what you gave to them impact them once they leave your classroom.”
But Young isn't naive to the challenges facing teachers in her home state. As teachers rally for more public education funding and pension reform, Young is well aware she will face similar problems as a new teacher this fall.
"They are showing initiative and I think that is one really great thing that kids need to see is their teachers showing initiative. I think that it empowers them as students to say hey I need to show initiative for something I believe in too,” says Young.
A lack of funding doesn’t scare Young away from the classroom. In fact, it drives her to it. Since her first semester, Young says U of L has prepared her by partnering her with a mentor teacher. She spent many months observing inside the classroom before teaching as a student.
"I grew up in this county and I am familiar with a lot of the schools here. I couldn't see myself teaching anywhere else,” says Young.
While many more challenges are ahead, Young says she has faith that nothing stays the same for long and her career will be filled with as many triumphs as challenges.
"I have hope that things will turn out for the best for Kentucky and Kentucky's teachers. I am an avid believer in doing the right thing and when you do the right thing, good things are sure to follow so I have hope that will not deter me from pursuing this career and being the best professional I can be,” says Young.
►Contact reporter Lisa Hutson at lhutson@whas11.com. Follow her on Twitter (@WHAS11Lisa) and Facebook.