Brett Taylor – Farmington Elementary

Dec 24, 2014, 4:12 PM | Updated: Jan 15, 2021, 6:11 am

We the undersigned would like to nominate Mr. Brett Taylor, special education teacher at Farmington Elementary for the KSL Teacher Feature of the Week.
Mr. Taylor is an exceptionally gifted teacher, because of a unique combination of skills and attributes which he offers, without reservation or boundaries, to his special needs students and their families. He does, in a very literal way, does whatever it takes to insure that his students are successful and are making progress towards their IEP goals.

• Mr. Taylor attends his student’s extracurricular activities on his own time to better understand their interests and needs, while encouraging them in their outside activities. For example, one afternoon after school, Brett showed up at one of his student’s horse therapy session to see Ben ride his favorite horse, Cinnamon.

• Mr. Taylor is an excellent communicator with parents and family to ensure that families and the school are working together at maximum effectiveness to help ensure each student’s success.

• This outstanding teacher is willing to meet early before school, late after school, or on weekends, to make sure plans and programs for each student are the best they can be.

• His advocacy for his students with the school administration and the school district, in terms of meeting student needs and solving student problems, is exceptional. Mr. Taylor’s focus is on his students’ needs, rather than on political correctness or protocol or even the potential personal career risk he might incur.

• Mr. Taylor truly cares about his students and celebrates with them in their progress and success. He goes the extra miles in communicating through telephone, email, photos, and text messages to families, so that they might also share in their student’s personal and academic successes at school.

• Mr. Taylor is tenacious in solving problems, for which normal students are no big, deal, but for special needs children (i.e. autism spectrum disorders, Downs Syndrome, behaviorally or learning disabled) can be a huge challenge. One example is when Mr. Taylor immediately grasped the scope of the problem of an autistic boy having to ride a school bus for 75 to 90 minutes, after a long day at school. Mr. Taylor was able to assist and the travel time for this student was able to be cut in half.
Other parents of Mr. Taylor’s students have said the following:

• Mr. Taylor has shown kindness, patience and effort, more than any other teacher my son has ever had. Brett always reaches out to me regarding my son, Lars’s development goals and challenges he faces on a daily basis. I feel that Brett uses a real team approach to his teaching methods. I am grateful for all that Mr. Taylor does with my son and his class.

• Our family feels incredibly fortunate that our son has been placed in Brett Taylor’s class. The difference Mr. Taylor’s teaching has made for our family in just a few short weeks is tremendous. For over a year and a half our autistic son’s behavior and quality of life have been deteriorating dramatically. Going to Mr. Taylor’s class each day has changed that situation very quickly. Our son’s aggression has decreased drastically. He is excited to get on the bus each morning and it is obvious that he feels happy and secure in his new class. He is making significant progress at home and at school as a result of the confidence he feels in the classroom setting. At home he has been happier and much more responsive in the few weeks since he started school than he has been in a very long time. He is making more progress in self-care skills and becoming more verbally responsive since starting school in Mr. Taylor’s class. From many sources I have been hearing reports of Mr. Taylor’s excellence and I can certainly attest it is true. It was obvious from the moment I walked into his classroom that his students feel loved and secure, and they love Mr. Taylor and the aids in the class. Mr. Taylor has created an environment of security for my son where he feels safe and confident and is able to flourish. Mr. Taylor is a truly excellent teacher.

A day in any special education classroom can be physically demanding and emotionally exhausting for the teacher and the aides. The parents of Mr. Taylor’s students consider him to be a real hero in the truest sense. He maintains momentum forward for each child, and maintains his enthusiasm each day to the wonder and marvel of the families of his students.

We believe he is very deserving of careful consideration to be on of KSL’s Teacher Feature recipients.

–Jim Cobb (nomination originator)

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

The OLRGC released an analysis of the expected topics to be discussed during a special session of t...

Simone Seikaly

Extending state flooding emergency, firearm restrictions, among topics for Utah special session

The OLRGC released an analysis of the expected topics to be discussed during a special session of the legislature.

11 months ago

A video recorded by Facebook user Larry Jacquez shows the police response following the shooting in...

Jamiel Lynch, CNN     

At least 3 people killed and 2 officers wounded in a shooting in Farmington, New Mexico, police say

Multiple people were shot and at least three killed in a shooting in Farmington, New Mexico, police said in a Facebook post.

11 months ago

A new release from Intermountain Healthcare shows that younger adults are becoming more susceptible...

Waverly Golden

Younger adults are becoming more susceptible to strokes

A new release from Intermountain Healthcare shows that younger adults are becoming more susceptible to stroke.

11 months ago

If you plan to camp over Memorial Day Weekend, you may want to begin the planning process now....

Allessandra Harris

Camping over Memorial Day Weekend? Plan ahead

If you plan to camp over Memorial Day Weekend, you may want to begin the planning process now.

11 months ago

slcpd on the scene of the deaths...

Josh Ellis

Police: Teen killed by father in murder-suicide in SLC office building

Police responded to the office complex near 3000 S. Highland Drive on Saturday after emergency responders received a call from a community member who reported finding a body.

11 months ago

Melissa Coleman crouches next to her husband, , Brad Coleman, of North Ogden, who sits in a wheelch...

Jenny Carpenter, KSL.com

Young stroke victim survives with quick, lifesaving treatment in northern Utah

After a 36-year-old man had a stroke, he and his wife say to be aware of the signs of stroke and that young people are also at risk.

11 months ago

Sponsored Articles

close up of rose marvel saliva blooms in purple...

Shannon Cavalero

Drought Tolerant Perennials for Utah

The best drought tolerant plants for Utah can handle high elevations, alkaline soils, excessive exposure to wind, and use of secondary water.

Group of cheerful team members high fiving each other...

Visit Bear Lake

How To Plan a Business Retreat in Bear Lake This Spring

Are you wondering how to plan a business retreat this spring? Read our sample itinerary to plan a team getaway to Bear Lake.

Cheerful young woman writing an assignment while sitting at desk between two classmates during clas...

BYU EMBA at the Marriott School of Business

Hear it Firsthand: 6 Students Share Their Executive MBA Experience at BYU’s Marriott School of Business

The Executive MBA program at BYU offers great opportunities. Hear experiences straight from students enrolled in the program.

Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a New Winter Activity? Try Skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.

Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...

Intermountain Health

Five Common Causes of Cervical Cancer – and What You Can Do to Lower Your Risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.

Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get Ready for Fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.

Brett Taylor – Farmington Elementary