2021 Elementary Mathematics Specialist Scholarship Recipient
Taylor Pierce
St. Louis, Missouri
Biography
Taylor Pierce is an elementary educator from St. Louis, Missouri. Her teaching career began when she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from The University of Alabama. During one of her practicum placements, Taylor was able to observe and teach in a multi-age math classroom. This experience piqued her interest in how children build math content knowledge and mathematical reasoning.
Taylor then went on to teach third grade in St. Louis Public Schools while earning her Master of Education in Learning, Teaching, and Curriculum through the University of Missouri's Teaching Fellowship Program. Taylor was able to share her love of mathematics and problem-solving skills with her own students for the first time.
Taylor currently teaches fifth-grade at Gotsch Intermediate School in Affton, Missouri. While working at Gotsch for the last five years, Taylor has had the opportunity to be creative with her math instruction, challenge students, and help kids develop mathematical mindsets. She is extremely grateful to work in a district that supports her and encourages her to try new things with her students! Taylor's desire to create a positive math experience for all of her students led her to seek a Graduate Certificate in Elementary Mathematics Specialist from the University of Missouri. She is currently in the second year of the two-year program.
Taylor is honored to be one of the three recipients of the 2022 AMTE Elementary Math Specialist Scholarship. She will use the funds to continue her Elementary Math Specialist program.