Chelsea Lachey Taylor is following in her mother’s footsteps.

Her mom, Dianne Landix Taylor,  was an educator for 30 years, and inspired her to pursue the same career.

“I am so appreciative of my mom that I wouldn’t know what to do without her fueling my passion for being the best educator. My mom is my role model, she uplifts me and is always there when I need her, I strive to be a phenomenal educator like her.”

Chelsea Taylor was born in Port Arthur, Texas and grew up in Lafayette. After graduating from Acadiana High School, she took root in Lake Charles to attend college.

Even before earning her Bachelor of Arts in Family and Child Studies from McNeese State University and graduating Summa Cum Laude from Grand Canyon University with a Master’s in Early Childhood Education, Taylor learned how to be an educator from her mom.

“I have watched my mom teach and mold so many generations and dedicate so much of her life to this career that she definitely played an intricate role in my life. Her passion, dedication and effort she puts into her career are unwavering.”

This August, Chelsea will begin her seventh year as a second grade teacher at Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy.

The past three of those years, she has taught the Cambridge second grade class, where she provides a “high-quality, conducive learning environment with differentiated instruction, integrated technology and new ways to be innovative with engaging lessons where students exceed their expectations,” she said.

She has also spent four years as one of the cheer sponsors.

She takes on each day as a fresh opportunity to help her students reach their highest potential.

“I love making a difference, watching my students grow and shaping their futures in a positive way. When a teacher is passionate about learning, that enthusiasm can spread like wildfire and ignite a passion for learning in every student.”

She is committed to continuously “fine-tuning” her craft, and considers herself a lifelong learner. Her students help along this journey as she continues to grow as an educator.

They also make the classroom a brighter space.

“My students contribute so much to our classroom through their smiles, hugs, laughter, respect, friendships and daily drawings, which makes it so easy to get through anything.”

Integrity is a priority in Taylor’s classroom, as she serves as both an educator and a role model.

“It is my responsibility as their teacher to show them that I am a person of high moral character and show that I can not only make choices for myself, but smart choices for the students I instruct.”

She knows that every one of her students are capable of learning, despite differences in their upbringing, personality and situations. She makes choices to curate an environment where students “feel safe and welcome, and ready to learn” by being not only empathetic, but strategic in her teaching, utilizing differentiated instruction to meet the diverse learning needs among her students.

“I understand that students come from different backgrounds, environments and cultures… I greet all my students by name, I talk with them, we share various interests and I allow them to express themselves positively… it is so imperative that teachers have a love, passion and dedication for the profession and a commitment to being lifelong learners.”

For Taylor, an educator’s ability to cross boundaries and empower students through diversity and multicultural awareness can pull a community together to “work hand in hand in building successful, future leaders.”

In the same way that no two students are alike, no two teachers are the same, she said.

“There is no one correct way to be a teacher, everyone has their own way that works for them. If you do not get it right the first time, try it again, and again and again ‘till you find what works for you and your students.”