Taylor Independent School District was honored to be selected to host Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath for a visit to Naomi Pasemann Elementary School on October 7, providing an opportunity to showcase the district's commitment to academic growth, high-quality instruction and student success.

During the visit, Commissioner Morath observed classroom instruction and met with district leaders to learn about the campus and districtwide instructional practices that have contributed to Taylor ISD's academic progress. Over the past four years, the district has improved its state accountability score by 16 points, earning a “B” rating with a score of 80 for the 2025-2026 school year.

"Taylor ISD has been on an incredible journey of academic growth, and that progress begins in our classrooms," said Dr. Jennifer Garcia-Edwardsen, Taylor ISD Superintendent. "We are proud to welcome Commissioner Morath and showcase the intentional work our teachers and campus leaders are doing to strengthen instruction and create opportunities for every student to grow."

Commissioner Morath visited three classrooms, observing reading language arts and mathematics instruction led by Ms. Brynne Doss, Ms. Marissa Barrios and Ms. Susan Kruger. All three educators have earned designations through the state's Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) program.

The classroom visits highlighted the expertise of Taylor ISD educators and the district's emphasis on instructional alignment, collaboration and continuous improvement.

"Strong instruction doesn't happen by chance; it happens through alignment and a deep knowledge of the teaching and learning materials. It takes thoughtful planning, collaboration and a commitment to continuous improvement," said Megan Zembik, Taylor ISD Chief Academic Officer. "Our teachers and instructional leaders work together to create meaningful learning experiences, and this visit provided an opportunity to highlight what that collaboration looks like in our classrooms."

The district's academic progress also reflects the leadership and continued support of the Taylor NPEISD Board of Trustees, whose focus on student achievement and long-term improvement has helped guide the district's work. Together with district and campus leaders, the Board remains committed to building on these gains and creating opportunities for every student to succeed.

For Naomi Pasemann Elementary, the visit was also a way to recognize the daily work taking place across the campus.

“This visit was a meaningful opportunity to showcase the incredible work happening at Naomi Pasemann Elementary,” said Cynthia Proctor, principal of Naomi Pasemann Elementary. “Although Commissioner Morath visited three classrooms, the dedication, collaboration, and commitment he witnessed represent the collective efforts of our teachers, staff, campus leaders, and district team. Every day, we work together to ensure our students have the support, opportunities, and learning experiences they need to succeed and thrive.”

Taylor ISD's academic progress reflects a districtwide commitment to its 1+ Mindset, which challenges educators to go above and beyond for every student, every day, with the goal of achieving more than one year of academic growth. Through a continued focus on high-quality instructional materials, collaborative planning, data-informed instruction and targeted student support, the district is working to build on its recent gains and ensure sustained academic success across all campuses.