Lakisha Taylor

Background

About Lakisha Taylor

I am an elementary principal and doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership focused on leading equitable, high-impact systems that strengthen both student outcomes and educator effectiveness.With nearly two decades of experience across teaching, special education leadership, and school and central office administration, I bring a systems-level approach to leadership. My work connects instruction, talent development, and organizational strategy to drive measurable, sustainable improvement.As Principal of Helen Barrett Montgomery School #50, I have led large-scale efforts to improve instructional quality, strengthen MTSS frameworks, and build a culture grounded in accountability and restorative practices. I have implemented Instructional Rounds, expanded targeted academic interventions, and developed structures that increase instructional clarity and student engagement across classrooms.A core focus of my leadership is talent strategy. I have independently recruited, developed, and retained staff, while building leadership capacity within my organization. I have mentored educators into advanced roles and created systems that support staff growth, performance, and long-term retention.My doctoral research centers on designing and scaling teacher pipeline programs, with a focus on increasing access and representation for Black and Brown educators. I am particularly interested in building partnerships between school districts and higher education institutions to create sustainable, equity-driven talent pipelines.I am seeking opportunities to extend my impact beyond a single school by leading or supporting system-level work in talent development, educator preparation, and organizational leadership.I lead with clarity, urgency, and purpose, and I am committed to building systems where both adults and students are positioned to succeed.