Abigail Taylor

Sinclair Elementary School Principal Abigail Taylor knows that her students’ parents are just as passionate about learning as she is, and her partnership with them has led to her being recognized as the 2014 Texas PTA Elementary Principal of the Year.

“I am honored that our PTA would think to nominate me for this award,” Taylor said. “When I learned that I was a finalist, I thought it was pretty neat, but I never thought that I would be selected.”

When she was named a finalist, Texas PTA asked Taylor what was the most important thing a PTA can do for a school.

“The most important thing a PTA can do for school is to share in the ownership of the accomplishments and challenges faced by the school,” Taylor responded. “The school belongs to the community, and we all have different roles in making our school successful.”

Taylor said she and her staff are in constant contact with the school’s PTA.

“We frequently bounce ideas off one another and make decisions over email,” Taylor said.

The biggest project the school and the PTA collaborated on this year was the “Love the Library” campaign.  The school and PTA wanted to transform their library, which was comprised of donated furniture. Working together, they received generous contributions from the Houston Astros Foundation and Bank of Texas to jumpstart the campaign, and so far more than $12,000 has been raised.

Taylor will receive an engraved Texas-shaped, Texas limestone award at a ceremony on Saturday.