New Teacher - Rocky Mountain

Taylor Winland

College: Northwest College – Associate Degree; Western Governors University – Bachelor’s Degree in elementary education

What and where do you teach and/or coach?

I am a kindergarten teacher at Rocky Mountain Elementary School. I also serve as the head middle school girls basketball coach and assistant high school boys basketball coach.

What is your background? Where are you from? What is your professional experience?

I grew up in Cowley and attended elementary, middle and high school at Rocky Mountain. For the past four years, I have worked as a special education paraprofessional, beginning in January 2022. At the time, I was still undecided about what I wanted to teach. However, after working in the elementary school, I quickly realized that it was where I wanted to be. 

I was fortunate to complete my student teaching at Rocky Mountain Elementary in a second-grade classroom during the spring of 2025. This year will be my first year teaching in my own classroom, and I am excited to begin this next chapter of my career. 

Tell us about your family.

I am very fortunate to have my entire family close by in the area. Education is a strong tradition in our family, and I am excited to carry on that tradition. I have had many aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and even my parents involved in the school system in one way or another.

My dad is a fifth-grade teacher at Rocky Mountain Elementary, and my mom is a special education paraprofessional at the elementary school. I am the oldest of three siblings, with my sister, Rylee, and my brother, Cooper.

I recently married my wonderful wife, Haylee Winland. She is a nurse at PVHC. Outside of school, we enjoy spending time together in the mountains and golfing. 

Why did you get into education as a profession, and what do you like the most about teaching?

I got into education because I wanted to inspire the next generation and be a positive influence in the lives of students. I had so many great teachers growing up, and this school and community invested so much in me. I want to give back to the community that has given me so much. 

What I enjoy most about teaching is building relationships with my students. Getting to know each student and helping them become invested in the learning process is one of the best parts of teaching. When students feel seen, valued and supported, they are more invested in meeting expectations and taking ownership of their learning.

What is your teaching philosophy? How do you get the most out of students and inspire them to learn?

I believe every student can succeed and shine when they feel safe, valued and supported. In our classroom, we will work together as a team, explore with curiosity and keep a growth mindset at the heart of everything we do. We will use our mistakes as steppingstones toward success.

I strive to create a positive and structured learning environment where students feel supported, challenged and confident in their abilities. Building strong relationships with students is a priority for me, because I believe connection is key to fostering both academic and personal growth. My goal is to create a classroom culture that is safe, encouraging and focused on continuous improvement.

What are you most looking forward to this school year?

I am most looking forward to getting to know my students and helping them become confident and successful learners. I am also excited to work alongside a great staff and continue learning and growing as an educator.