Those who know Terrell Taylor, Merrillville High School building trades instructor, know he is seldom at a loss for words.
That was nearly the case on Tuesday as a surprised and clearly emotional Taylor was presented the Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA) Minority Educator of the Year award.
Taylor said the honor came as a completely unexpected but wonderful surprise, one kept from him by even his wife, Dr. Marnita Taylor, executive director of curriculum and instruction at Merrillville schools.
“My three words: God is good,” Taylor said after the announcement.
Taking part in the award presentation to Taylor was Bob Phelps, the school’s Career & Technical Education Director; Jennifer Smith-Margraf, vice president of ISTA; and high school principal Michael Krutz.
“Mr. Taylor is a role model and an advocate for diversity in the trades which has opened doors for the underrepresented students in the construction trades industry. Terrell brings his industry experience, commitment to education and gigantic heart to work with him everyday which makes him a great choice for this award. On behalf of the high school and central office, congratulations Mr. Taylor,” Phelps said.
Taylor, upon accepting the award, gave credit to his students: “these young individuals lift me up.”
“He (Phelps) said I’m a role model. I’m not a role model. Some days I’m a good example; some days I’m a bad example. I don’t want these kids to be like me. I want them to be better than me. By exposing myself to them transparently, I give them that opportunity,” Taylor said.
He added: “My responsibility being here is to give them unconditional love and I do that everyday. I do that everyday.”
Smith-Margraf spoke of Taylor’s very successful career in the construction trades before deciding to give back to his community by becoming an educator and helping train students and build up their confidence in the field he chose as his passion.
“Since he has taken over the building trades, it’s my understanding that it has become one of the most popular classes here at MHS because of the positive relationships he has built with your students, the dynamic atmosphere he has created in the classrooms and the partnerships he has built with community members to create internships and other opportunities for your students,” she said.
Taylor, whose wife, Marnita, was among those fellow educators who were there for the presentation, made history in 2004 when he and Richard Hardaway became the first blacks to serve on the Merrillville Town Council.
Taylor said he had served in the construction industry for 31 years before deciding he wanted to go into teaching.
He has served as an instructor for the past six years.
“My passion was construction and I found my purpose in teaching. To have those align is more than a calling,” Taylor said.
He is also the founder of the Merrillville Education Foundation.
The Taylors have two adult children and three grandchildren.
Deborah Laverty is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.