Kingsland School’s Jacob Taylor has 14 years of teaching experience, the previous 13 years at Marble Falls High School before joining the charter school this year after it added its first high school class. Staff photo by Daniel Clifton
When Kingsland School Principal Meloni Puishes stepped into ninth-grade teacher Jacob Taylor’s class and asked his freshmen students what they liked about their teacher, the accolades poured in.
“He’s funny.”
“He’s supportive.”
“He’s great at math.”
“He’s hilarious.”
“He’s awesome.”
And, they meant it.
Taylor’s dedication to his students and teaching is a big reason The Picayune Magazine readers and KBEY 103.9 FM Radio Picayune listeners selected him as their 2020 Locals Love Us favorite school teacher for the Kingsland/Llano area.
“I still love it, teaching,” Taylor said after receiving the award.
He taught at Marble Falls High School for 13 years before accepting a job at Kingsland School. The public charter school, which opened in 2016, added a ninth grade class this year. The plan is to add sophomore classes next year as the current freshmen move up. Eventually, the campus will have a full four-year high school.
Taylor enjoys being part of Kingsland School as it grows. Now, as the only high school instructor, he teaches all subjects except for physical education and art.
“A little bit of everything,” Taylor said of his schedule. “I love being able to teach the different subjects.”
Taylor also leads the school's chess team, which advanced several students to the state level.
“We’re so blessed to have Mr. Taylor,” Puishes said.
And, as one student put it: “He’s pretty cool.”
daniel@thepicayune.com
