Dr. Gordon Taylor's journey in education began long before he stepped into his first classroom. Growing up, he was fortunate to have his parents as his earliest and most influential teachers - his mom and dad. Their guidance and emphasis on the value of learning laid the foundation for a career that would span more than three decades and impact countless lives. His retirement marks a 10-year leadership period that transformed Region 10, greatly enhancing its capacity to serve educators and students alike.
Dr. Taylor's career in education started in the classrooms of West Texas. "I taught and coached for two years at Crosbyton ISD," he recalls. From teacher and coach, assistant principal to superintendent, Dr. Taylor's experiences gave him a greater understanding of the challenges faced by educators at every level.
It was this wealth of experience that caught the attention of Region 10’s Board of Directors in 2005. At a time when the organization was in the midst of a leadership transition, they were looking for someone with fresh perspectives and years of potential ahead. "The Board felt the need to bring in somebody who had some years left before they were going to retire," Dr. Taylor explains. His appointment as Assistant Director for Administrative Services in December 2005 marked the beginning of a new chapter for both Dr. Taylor and Region 10.
Dr. Taylor's ascent within the organization was swift. By July 2006, he had moved into a Deputy Executive Director position, and by fall of the same year, he was hired to replace his predecessor, Buddy Echols. This rapid progression set the stage for what would become a transformative decade of leadership when Dr. Taylor assumed the role of Executive Director in September 2014.
"Region 10 was already a well-established, highly successful support organization for schools," Dr. Taylor recalls. "But there were some holes in what we were doing, things we could have been doing that we weren't, or things we could have been doing better."
With characteristic humility, Dr. Taylor is quick to credit his team for the transformation that followed. "It wasn't me making changes," he insists. "It was good, solid, knowledgeable educators and business-savvy leaders here at the service center. We took a long look at ourselves, spent a good year and a half or two years looking at what we needed to build on, and where we needed to start new.”
This period of reflection and innovation resulted in a shift towards decentralized expertise and decision-making, encouraging team members across all levels to contribute their insights and abilities. As a result, Region 10 became more adaptable and responsive, better positioned to address the ever-changing needs of school districts.
Perhaps the most noticeable evidence of this new approach was the extensive renovation of Region 10's facilities. What began as a modest proposal for a "makerspace" turned into a full-scale reimagining of how physical spaces could enhance adult learning.
"We wrote a professional learning model based on the research of what good adult learning is," Dr. Taylor explains. "Then we said, 'Okay, what do we need to make that happen?'" The answer encompassed not just furniture and technology, but a holistic approach to designing learning environments conducive to collaboration and innovation.
The benefits of this progressive mindset became clear when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020. Thanks to the flexibility and creativity fostered under Dr. Taylor's leadership, Region 10 was able to pivot quickly to meet the sudden demand for virtual training and support.
"I’ll never forget, we were teaching teachers how to use Zoom on Wednesday morning after spring break," Dr. Taylor remembers. "Not how to teach on Zoom, but how to use Zoom. We laugh now because it's natural for us, but literally Monday morning we had teams spread out downstairs wearing masks, shouting across the rooms at each other, 'How are we going to do that? What do you think?'"
Reflecting on his tenure as Executive Director, Dr. Taylor's greatest source of pride isn't in buildings or programs, but in the exceptional quality of support and service that Region 10 provides—a direct result of its dedicated staff. "The reputation that Region 10 has built, combining the innovation of how we serve, and the level of the service we provide, stems from the talents and expertise of the people we've hired," he explains. "It's the quality of people working at Region 10, day in and day out, that truly makes us special. That is my greatest pride."
For Dr. Taylor, the most rewarding aspect of his work has been the relationships he's built over the years. "The relationships with people in the schools, the relationships with the people here at Region 10," he says, emphasizing the human connections that have made his career so fulfilling.
As he prepares to hand over the reins, Dr. Taylor is optimistic about the future of Region 10. "Every executive director has been able to build on the work that was done by the previous one," he observes. "I think my successor is going to be able to take it from a very high level to an even higher level, because we've set the foundation so high. Why not just keep going?"
This sentiment encapsulates Dr. Taylor's leadership philosophy – always striving for improvement, always pushing the boundaries of what's possible. He leaves behind an organization positioned for continued success, with a strong foundation and a culture of innovation.
But retirement doesn't mean the end of Taylor's contributions to education. He describes his next step as a "phased retirement," planning to continue working and volunteering in areas that align with his passions. "I want to follow some passions, both with paid work and with volunteer work," he explains, hinting at exciting new ventures in the near future.
As he reflects on his career and looks to the future, Taylor's message to educators remains unwavering: "Focus on the students. Every moment and everything we do that doesn't focus on students is wasted...If you're in education, focus on the job, and the job is educating students."
This student-centric approach is perhaps best exemplified by Dr. Taylor's favorite annual event – the Region 10 Teacher of the Year celebration. "We're celebrating people who are committed to doing good work with the students," he says with enthusiasm. It's fitting that Dr. Taylor timed his retirement to participate in this event one last time, a final celebration of the educators who embody the mission he's championed throughout his career.
As Dr. Taylor closes this chapter of his professional life, he leaves behind a legacy of innovation, quality, and unwavering commitment to student success. His tenure at Region 10 has not only elevated the organization but has also set a new standard for the level of service and support that is provided to educators. While his daily presence will be missed, the impact of his leadership will continue to shape the future of education in the region for years to come.