Hardin High School Principal Dr. Bryan Taulton isn’t accustomed to the spotlight, but it appears he will have to adjust. Through the month of October, the high school staff and school clubs are planning to shower him with praise and respect for Principal Appreciation Month.
It started on Tuesday with a post on the school’s Facebook page. It was a picture of flowers with Taulton’s face inside of each bloom. The message read: “Dr. Taulton, if principals were flowers, we’d pick you! – HHS Student Body.”
On Wednesday, Taulton says he was alerted to a disturbance in the high school cafeteria. When he entered the room, he was greeted by a song in his honor written by senior Jaci Sims. (Click here to see the video.)
Sims, accompanied by Raygan Mouton, sang these lyrics:
It feels like a perfect day to celebrate Taulton and all the things that he’s done. Oh-oh, oh-oh.
You haven’t been here long, but we hope you like this song. Now, everyone, sing along. Oh-oh, oh-oh.
Yeah, you listen to everything we have to say. It’s a wonderful and magical area. With you here Hardin High School is a better place. It’s true.
We don’t know about, but we love all the things you do. Principals don’t get much better. They’re being compared to you.
What is important to us teens is allowing us to chase our dreams. We love you, Dr. Taulton. We’re so thankful for you.”
The beloved principal has made a difference in the two years he has led the high school, said government and economics teacher Amanda Key, the person organizing the shows of support for Taulton.
“He does so much for us. If a teacher needs something, he will make it happen,” Key said. “I’ve never seen anyone work as hard in this position as him.”
Key said that Taulton knows every student’s name and addresses them personally.
“The kids think he takes home a list of students and studies their names,” she said with a chuckle. “He reaches out to the students to show he cares.”
According to Key, two teachers per day will be writing letters of appreciation to Taulton. Students are planning their own tributes.
“The student council took the first week. Next week it will be the National Honor Society and athletics,” Key said.
The Business Professionals Association and yearbook staff will have the week of Oct. 15-19, followed by Dance and Cheer the week of Oct. 22-26, and FFA for the week of Oct. 29-31.
Hardin High School student council members also are working to submit a video to www.principalsmonth.org to compete for a $200 prize for Taulton.
Taulton said he is humbled by the attention being heaped on him.
“It’s been great. It’s heartwarming. I love what I do and the impact that I am able to make in this profession,” he said. “I believe the staff knows I will go to bat for them and the community knows I will go to bat for their children.”
He’s looking forward to what his staff and students have in store for him.
“I don’t know what to expect for the rest of the month. I guess we will have to see,” he said with a laugh.
By Vanesa Brashier, editor@BluebonnetNews.com