Kossuth High School is proud to welcome Mrs. Taylor Johnson on board as our Career Coach. Mrs. Johnson comes to us through an array of different privately funded partners, and she will be a great asset to our school and our community. Her main priority will be assisting students with career counseling as they prepare to take their next step after graduation. There are so many amazing programs offered in our area, and she plans to introduce those programs and opportunities through work-based learning. Partnerships with local business and industries will highlight workforce, technical, and academic routes that best fit our students. Mrs. Johnson is very excited to be a part of the Alcorn School District. She will also have a Career Coach’s Corner on our KHS Website! Mrs. Johnson will be serving both Biggersville High School and Kossuth High School.
We asked Mrs. Johnson some questions about her background, given that she is from our area!
Graduation Information (High School and College):
I graduated from Alcorn Central High School in 2008. I knew that I wanted to major in education very early on, so I enrolled at NEMCC in the fall of 2008, where I majored in Elementary Education. At the time, I thought I would teach elementary after spending many years babysitting siblings, cousins, and neighbors; however, God had a much bigger plan. I earned my Associates Degree in Elementary Education from NEMCC, then transferred to Mississippi State University where I changed my major to Secondary Education and Psychology. I graduated from MSU with my Bachelor of Science in December 2013.
Reason I decided to go into education:
I had several teachers who had a huge impact in my life, and I knew that I wanted to have that impact on the lives of others. I was very fortunate to have amazing teachers throughout my educational journey. I felt loved and cared for in every classroom that I entered. I have kept in touch with a few, and I have even had the pleasure of working with three of my former instructors, which has been such an honor. Although I had a wonderful educational experience, I have loved ones who did not have the same experience. I knew at a young age that I wanted to be an educator, but it was my brother who inspired me to achieve that dream so that I could be an advocate for our youth who might not have someone in their corner. If I can change the life of just one young person while working in education, I will have achieved my dream; but I hope to change the lives of many. I hope to be the positive influence in their lives and the reason they push forward to achieve their dreams.
Clubs and Organizations:
COABE (Coalition on Adult Basic Education)
Northeast Mississippi Community College TIE (The Institutional Effectiveness) Committee
SETA (Southeastern Employment and Training Association)
Mississippi State University Alumni Association
NEMCC Science Fair Committee
What encouraged you to seek this position?
ACHS Career Coach, Mrs. Rebecca Lewis, had reached out to me to plan a meeting to discuss best practices that I had used over the years in my position as NEMCC MIBEST College and Career Navigator. (Fun fact, Mrs. Lewis was my 9th and 10th grade English teacher and was one of the reasons I wanted to be a teacher.) Two days later, I received a text that the committee was searching for a Career Coach for Biggersville and Kossuth High School and everything just seemed to fall into place from there. I have always poured my heart into helping my students (who dropped out of high school) achieve their goals, but what if I could make a difference while students are still in school? I love my students, all of them, and I have always encouraged them to seek opportunity. Over the last three weeks, my students have encouraged me to do the very same. They were my reason to seek this position and to make a difference in the lives of the students in Alcorn County, while also making a difference in the community.
Why do you think a career coach is necessary?
After spending five years in the Workforce/Adult Education department at NEMCC, I have developed a strong passion for CTE and Workforce programs. I have a bigger understanding for the workforce and the industry advantage in Northeast Mississippi, and I am so excited to share that with the students at Kossuth and Biggersville High School. It is so important for high school students to have these work-based and project-based learning opportunities at an early age. When I graduated high school, we were encouraged to go straight to college and get a four-year degree. I can think of so many former classmates who would have benefitted from a Career Coach - myself included - but sadly did not have the opportunity. I am very excited to be able to continue building a strong relationship with local business and industries as we learn to navigate these waters and create a strong partnership that will benefit our students in the community.
What are your main goals for our students?
My main goal is to be there for the students, to listen and encourage them to follow their passion. I am looking forward to meeting with the students individually to learn more about their goals, interests, and passions so that we can take that and link it with a career. I am excited to bring in guest speakers who might help them in choosing a career path, whether that be technical or academic. All in all, I am just really excited to work with the faculty, staff, and administration in being a positive influence for the students and assisting them in their next step.
Personal:
I am married to my college sweetheart, Evan Johnson. Together we have a beautiful 2-year-old daughter, Marleigh Ellen. We bleed maroon and white, as we are both MSU Alumni and still enjoy traveling to Starkville on gamedays. I absolutely love the outdoors and I enjoy attending sporting events, and I look forward to being able to support our students outside of the classroom and on the ball field/court in the future.
Congratulations, Taylor! We are so glad to have you at KHS!
