Love, learning and leadership drive instruction for Taylor County High School teacher Sydney Newton. The beloved ELA educator is often the first smiling face students see in the morning as she welcomes bus riders to TCHS, and for many, is still there after school is done, mentoring students, sponsoring school clubs and incorporating data-driven practices into the school curriculum to ensure her high schoolers thrive. Newton serves in a dual role at the school, teaching ELA to ninth through 11th graders and providing curriculum and administrative support at TCHS and the district. Her dedication to Taylor County students is reflected in their academic performance.
In her ELA class, Newton implements innovative AI approaches for students to “chat” with William Shakespeare while studying his play, “Julius Caesar”. Using the Socratic method for class debates stimulates engagement, higher-order thinking and ownership of learning. Her enthusiasm for ELA led her to pilot an AP Language program for sophomores to provide a head start on their path to higher education.
Newton’s commitment to her students extends beyond the classroom, where she can be found sponsoring the Color Guard and taking the team to regional and state competitions, leading the Beta Club and Academic Team to multiple championships, serving as the student-nominated faculty partner for the annual Dancing with the Cards fine arts fundraiser, volunteering as the Yearbook Club faculty advisor, and mentoring student aides. She also helped create ELA curriculum, mentors new educators, plans professional development opportunities and coordinates the summer school program.
Newton earned her bachelor’s degree in secondary and middle grades education from Lindsey Wilson University in 2016. At nearby Campbellsville University, she completed dual master’s degrees—Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) in 2018 and P-12 school administration in 2022.
Press Release: Surprise, Sydney! Taylor County’s Superb ELA Teacher Scores National $25,000 Milken Educator Award
