Her Story
About Tracy
Tracy Taylor is principal of the elementary school, where she is beginning her 16th year after serving five years as assistant principal at the same school. She has worked in education for 31 years and previously taught and served as a math staff developer in New York City. Taylor earned her bachelor's degree from NYU School of Education in 1994, her master's in education from NYU in 1996, and her master's of school administration from Baruch College around 2006. She is nationally certified as a mentor principal through the National Association of Elementary School Principals Mentor Certification Program and co-facilitates an elementary principals group in her region. Taylor developed the Bluebird initiative as part of the school's PBIS program, which emphasizes being caring, helpful, inclusive, respectful, and positive. She serves on the board of the Destination Imagination New York affiliate chapter, is a member of the New York State Association of Women Administrators Lower Hudson chapter, and participates in the Putnam Northern Westchester collegial circle of aspiring women leaders. Taylor attributes her success to the foundation provided by her parents and grandmother and values being curious rather than judgmental, grounded, loyal, honest, and relationship-focused.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Tracy
01What do you attribute your success to?
I without a doubt attribute it to my mom and my dad and my grandma who showed me what it means to be a responsible, caring, thoughtful, hard-working, committed and dedicated person. They gave me that foundation and drive, and taught me to be happy for the small moments and bring out happiness in others. I'm a people person because of them.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
You must have levity in life. You must find the levity. That was from my dad.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
It's very important to believe in yourself. Find a purpose and really believe in that and have that guide you. Know that no matter what you might not see something as a setback but to see it as maybe another path to go on. Still not giving up your purpose and your goal and your desire.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The challenge right now is managing the day-to-day with all of the other pressures coming to you from the outside, whether it's pressures from the state, pressures from social media, pressures from the world. It's hard to shelter the kids, parents and teachers and keep everybody safe while handling regulations and how the world is impacting everybody here.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Be curious and not judgmental. Be grounded, stay true to yourself, loyal, honest. Realize that relationships are just so important to every aspect of your life, whether it's personal or professional.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.