Meet Taylor C. Stanton, New Superintendent

MEET TAYLOR C. STANTON

This past May, Harding Fine Arts Academy welcomed its new Superintendent, Taylor C. Stanton.

Mr. Stanton grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. He obtained a Bachelor’s of Music Education from Southeast Missouri State University, where he played saxophone and percussion. After graduating, he moved to Phoenix, Arizona to start his career with various K-12 schools. He earned his Master’s of Educational Leadership from Arizona State University.

Taylor Stanton with his corgi Newt Scamander

Throughout his career he has worked as a teacher, grant program coordinator, activities and music director, curriculum advisor, and principal for a K-12school. In addition to his many career accomplishments, Mr. Stanton successfully established an arts council in Maricopa, Ariz. bringing communities together to appreciate and celebrate the arts.

One of his goals next year is to authentically connect with the students, their families and be visible in the community. “The Superintendent shouldn’t be scary and shouldn’t be someone you speak to only when you are in trouble. I want to be different from the administrators I grew up with. I want to be actively engaged in the campus community,” he said.

Mr. Stanton often shares his success in school is solely due to his drama and music teachers whotaught him discipline, grit, and resiliency. “I was just an average student. They are the reason Istayed in school,” he shared. These are all characteristics he hopes to instill in every student at

Harding Fine Arts Academy. His personal mission is to ensure all students can experience and be impacted by the arts just as he was. Mr. Stanton is also committed to ensuring all faculty and staff have the training and resources necessary to be successful in their classrooms. “I want them to be successful; to always be better. I want them to have the freedom to take risks with new programs or ideas. I also want to encourage them to grow daily. And it’s okay if they outgrow us. That means we did our job as administrators.”

His best piece of advice for aspiring teachers and administrators is to always approach aconversation or situation with empathy. He also encourages students to seek out internships and“real-world” experiences so that they can hone their interests and passions.