USD 349 Superintendent Dr. Mary Jo Taylor, Stafford, has been selected as the recipient 2010 Governor’s Award presented by the Kansas State High School Activities Association.
Annually, KSHSAA presents the award to an individual in recognition for their outstanding contributions in the field of secondary education in the state of Kansas.
As a life-long Kansan, Mary Jo Taylor has committed her career to young people and the improvement of education in the state.
A graduate of Syracuse High School, Taylor holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Fort Hays State University and a Master’s and Doctorate in Educational Administration from Wichita State University.
Upon completion of her undergraduate degree, Taylor worked in the private sector for ten years before deciding to make education her career.
Following completion of her teaching credentials, Taylor taught in the Belle Plaine school district for a decade before moving into school administration as a middle and senior high school principal in Stafford.
In 2000, Dr. Taylor became the superintendent of USD #349 in Stafford and has helped the district accomplish an impressive number of achievements. Among these achievements are the widespread utilization of technology into the curriculum and securing comprehensive school health grants which have contributed to the nutritional, physical and mental health of students.
Under Taylor’s leadership Stafford schools have implemented an impressive list of career and technical education pathways, preparing students for a variety of career options.
Widely known and respected by her peers throughout the state, Dr. Taylor is a member of the Kansas Association of School Administrators and has been nominated by that organization for Superintendent of the Year honors.
She serves on numerous boards and advisory committees for KASA, the United School Administrators of Kansas, and the Kansas Association of School Boards. Dr. Taylor is a past member of the Kansas Association of Secondary School Principals as well.
Taylor has co-authored several articles and has been published in a variety of academic journals. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Taylor is a founding member of the Stafford Main Street organization, serves on the Stafford Chamber of Commerce, and is the Executive Director of the Stafford Educational Foundation.
The Governor’s Award will be presented to Dr. Taylor on Sunday, May 2nd, 2010 at the Kansas Governor’ Scholars Reception on the campus of Washburn University in Topeka.
