For Taylor Schmidt, no two days at Newton Elementary School look alike — and that’s exactly what he loves about it. “I get up in the morning knowing I’m not going to be sitting behind a computer screen,” he says. “I get to move, to interact, to help kids. Every day is different, and that’s the best part.”

As a paraprofessional, Taylor splits his day between working one-on-one with a student in the morning and leading small reading and writing groups in the afternoon. “You’ve got to be flexible,” he says. “That’s just part of the job. Some days you’re where you’re scheduled to be; other days, you get pulled to help somewhere new. Wherever they need me, I go.”

That willingness to say yes has become something of his signature. “People will say, ‘You’re always willing to help,’” he laughs. “But if I’m able, why wouldn’t I? If I can make sure a kid gets to keep learning instead of losing a day, that’s worth it.”

Before joining the school, Taylor worked in insurance — a field that offered stability but not purpose. “I felt like I wasn’t making an impact,” he says. “I wanted to do something that mattered.” Encouraged by his wife, a former music performance major who teaches locally, Taylor left the business world, earned his associate degree from Olney Central College, and became a certified paraprofessional. He’s now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in education through Grand Canyon University while working full-time. “They understand people like me who are working and raising families,” he says. “It’s been a perfect fit.”

At home, he and his wife are raising their four-year-old son, Greer Samuel, whose bright curiosity makes Taylor smile. “He’s spontaneous and excited about learning,” Taylor says proudly. “It’s fun seeing the same excitement in him that I see in the kids I work with.”

That connection between home, school, and community runs deep for Taylor. A Newton High School graduate, he recalls being among the first students to use the school’s new multipurpose room years ago. “A lot has changed since then,” he says. “What hasn’t changed is the heart of the place.”

He credits that spirit to leadership and staff alike. “It starts with the administration,” he says, recalling past leaders Travis Wyatt and Craig Carr, who set a tone of involvement. “They were always visible — in classrooms, at events, greeting kids. That’s still true today. Our administrators are active and approachable. They roll up their sleeves and work right alongside you.”

That cooperative spirit extends well beyond school walls. “Newton rallies around everything,” Taylor says. “Sports, band, academics—it doesn’t matter. If it involves kids, the town shows up. That kind of support makes you proud to live here.”

Taylor begins his mornings greeting parents in the car line and ends them at the crosswalk, waving students safely home. Between those moments, he helps run the Coffee Cart program with fellow paraprofessional Jeanne Schull, where students sell coffee to staff and practice real-world skills. “It’s one of my favorite parts of the day,” he says. “You get to see the kids’ personalities shine. They learn confidence, responsibility, and how to talk to adults. Those lessons go way beyond the classroom.”

He admits the work can be tiring — “It’s a good kind of tired,” he says — but every day feels purposeful. “You never know what a kid’s going through at home. Maybe they just need a smile or a small success to turn their day around. If I can be part of that, that’s all I need.”

Looking ahead, Taylor hopes to move into teaching — and maybe coaching, too. “Football’s always been my thing,” he says. “One day, I’d love to combine the two.”

Until then, he keeps showing up with energy, humility, and adaptability. “This job keeps you on your toes,” he says with a grin. “It’s kind of like improv theater — you never know what’s coming next, but you learn to make it work, and to make it matter.”