Mrs. Taylor 2026-27

Dear 4th/5th Grade Families,

Welcome! My name is Melissa Taylor and I am so excited to welcome you and your child to our 4th/5th grade class! This is my 2nd year at RSA, and I can honestly say that I absolutely love being part of the RSA community. The supportive families, incredible students, and collaborative staff make it such a special place, and I feel grateful to continue my teaching journey here.

I am a Multiple Subject Credentialed teacher with a background in both early childhood and elementary education. Before joining RSA, I taught Kindergarten and 2nd grade, and I began my career in education in 2017 as a paraprofessional working with students in TK through 5th grade. Those experiences have shaped my passion for helping children grow academically, socially, and emotionally.

In our classroom, my goal is to create a safe, respectful, and encouraging environment where every student feels valued and capable of success. I use a combination of Love and Logic and PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) to help students build responsibility, confidence, and problem-solving skills while fostering a positive classroom community.

Our reading instruction is grounded in the Science of Reading, with a strong focus on the five essential pillars: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. In math, we'll dive into engaging, rigorous 5th-grade concepts that encourage critical thinking, perseverance, and a growth mindset.

I believe every child is unique, and I am committed to learning about each student's individual strengths, interests, and learning style. Building strong relationships with students and families is one of the most rewarding parts of teaching, and I look forward to partnering with you throughout the year to support your child's academic and personal growth.

Outside the classroom, I'm a proud mom of four amazing kids, ages 7, 11, 17, and 18. When I'm not teaching, you'll usually find me caring for my rescue cats, tending to my flock of chickens, or working in my garden. I love spending time outdoors and with my family.

Thank you for entrusting me with your child's education this year. I am honored to be part of their learning journey and can't wait to see all the growth, curiosity, friendships, and accomplishments this school year will bring. Here's to a wonderful year together!