Creating Citizens of the World
As Principal of P.S. 272, GSE Alumna Verna Taylor Guides Students, Teachers and Families as She Builds Communities
Whenever Verna Taylor, principal of P.S. 272, The Curtis Estabrook School of Arts and Leadership, sees a struggling student, she remembers her own formative time at Touro University Graduate School of Education.
"I was pregnant with my son," recalled Taylor, who completed a master's degree in general and special education in 2007. "I remember this heightened fear of, 'How am I going to finish this program?'"
For Taylor, the actions of her professors made the difference. "There was never a question for any of my professors whether I was going to make it through the program," she said. "I might have had a question, but they were very confident, 'You're going to be fine.'"
That confidence stayed with her long after graduation.
Today, Taylor leads a school community of more than 320 students in Canarsie, Brooklyn. The support she received at Touro continues to influence how she works with students, staff, and families.
Taylor's journey to a career as an educator began early. She comes from a family of educators, and by high school she was participating in a co-op program at a District 75 school, working directly with students. "I saw the impact that could change a child's life," she said.
Those experiences led her to Touro, where she pursued dual certification in general and special education. While balancing graduate coursework and preparing for motherhood, she relied on the encouragement of faculty members who believed she would succeed. "The thing that stands out about Touro and what makes it special is the professors," Taylor said.
When she struggled with coursework or doubted herself, professors took the time to help. "I had professors that poured into me that made sure that if I felt like I didn't understand something, they took the time to work with me," she said. "That made all the world of difference in the world because that's what helped me persevere."
After graduation, Taylor spent ten years in the classroom teaching third and sixth grades before becoming a grade leader, instructional coach, assistant principal, and eventually principal. While she loved teaching, she realized she could broaden her impact by helping other educators grow in their practice. "What if I stepped out of the classroom and I was able to help other educators and support other educators?" she recalled thinking.
That perspective continues to guide her work at P.S. 272.
"Our goal is always to ensure that our students are soaring as they are making their way through our school community," Taylor said, "to make sure we pour into our scholars to ensure that they are confident citizens of the world."
For Taylor, the school's responsibility extends beyond the classroom. "If you really want to change a community, it starts in the school," she said. That belief has shaped her approach as a school leader. P.S. 272 partners with community organizations, hosts programs for families, and provides space for initiatives that serve neighborhood residents. "We come, we work, we serve children," Taylor said. "But we also serve the community."
Nearly two decades after graduating from Touro, Taylor still draws on the confidence her professors instilled in her as a student. It is a lesson she now carries into every interaction—with students who are struggling, teachers who are developing their craft, and families looking for support. "If you are at Touro, you are in the right place and the right space to give you all the tools that you need," she said.
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Logo: TOURO UNIVERSITY, GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION.
A teacher interacts with elementary-aged students in a classroom.
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[VERNA TAYLOR]: I fell in love with teaching because I saw the impact that could change a child's life.
Good morning. Good morning, guys. Good morning. Good morning.
I come from a legacy of educators. My grandmother was an educator, and she taught middle school. My aunt was also an educator as well, and she taught for many, many, many years. So it started pretty early on, that bug for helping and seeing how you can support students.
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Verna Taylor, M Ed, Principal of PS 2 72, Touro University Graduate School of Education '08. Verna Taylor smiles in front of blue doors with colorful painted words and decorations.
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I am so fortunate to be the proud principal of PS 272, the Curtis S. Brooks School of Arts and Leadership.
We are never what?
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Captions: Ordinary!
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But always what?
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Extraordinary!
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Yes, you are!
Our goal is always to ensure that our students are soaring as they are making their way through our school community. However, it doesn't just stop there. Our goal is really to also make sure that they are confident citizens of the world.
You running? What are you running for?
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You running? What are you running for?
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[STUDENT]: Vice president.
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Vice President.
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[VERNA TAYLOR]: My girl.
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My girl. They fist bump outside near a bench.
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If you really want to change a community, it starts in a school. And our students literally are right next door. So we're immersed in the community. We know the families. Most of our families have multiple children that will come through here, generations that will come through here.
A majority of our families are in the lower income stream, or they're trying to figure it out. They're trying to get by. So our job as a school community is to support them, whatever that looks like.
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Students go through a routine on a paved surface with hopscotch lines.
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[STUDENTS]: So when we say hush, be quiet. Don't move. Just do it. Just do it.
[VERNA TAYLOR]: We give them access to such a wide range of programming-- cheer squad, sports. We have a new multimedia lab, all these things that they wouldn't ordinarily have access to.
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Children play violins and cellos on a stage.
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So we're going to give you the access and the opportunity. There's nothing that's going to cap you. There's nothing that's going to prevent you from reaching your true potential.
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Verna Taylor stands at an e-board and talks.
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I definitely modeled my style of leadership after my experiences at Touro, because I had professors that took the time to work with me. And that made all the world of difference, because that's what helped me persevere, knowing that people are rooting for you constantly. I think that that's something that I really have embodied daily.
I know that when I get up every day, I come in, and there is a child's life that I can change, if not many. So that level of impact always drives who I show up as. And I definitely think it starts where you've had an experience such as that, as I had at Touro. I think Touro shapes educators for longevity. It's not an easy path. It's not an easy career. But the level of rewards that you receive if you endure-- watching a child who struggled as a reader, and then being able to help support that child to get them to meet their true potential-- is so life-changing.
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Verna Taylor high-fives a student in a hallway.
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What did I tell you? Hard work pays off, baby, right? Work hard. Work hard. I love that for you.
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Logo: TOURO UNIVERSITY, GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION.
