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Headshot of Mrs. James

Taunya James

First Grade

Be proud of the incredible person that you are…and become a rainbow in someone’s cloudy day.

Nyki Mack

The Best Parts of My Job

  • Showing students that learning can be fun
  • Building relationships with my students and watching them learn and grow
  • Going to work every day; it’s never the same, never dull
  • Experiencing that moment when a student learns something new
  • Helping students learn their way, not one way
  • Hearing the students’ excitement and laughter throughout the day

My Favorites

  • Diet Dr. Pepper
  • Coffee
  • Food from around the world
  • All animals, wild and domestic
  • Camping
  • Anything in nature
  • All colors - I can never pick one!
  • Heated seats and auto starts in the winter

Favorite Books

  • The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
  • Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
  • Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
  • Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
  • Fry Bread by Kevin Noble Maillard
  • A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. LeGuin
  • The BFG by Roald Dahl
  • Eragon by Christopher Paolini
  • The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf
  • The Wonky Donkey, The Dinky Donkey, and The Grinny Granny Donkey by Craig Smith
  • And so many more!

Places I Have Lived

  • Born in El Paso, Texas
  • Newbury Park, California
  • Denver, Colorado
  • Las Cruces, New Mexico
  • Drum Point, Maryland
  • Now I’m Here!

Years

  • This is my 28th year teaching
    • 16 years in Weber School District
    • 8 years in Calvert County, Maryland
    • 3 years in Las Cruces, New Mexico
  • M.ed. Special Education, Multicultural Education
    • New Mexico State University
  • B.A. Elementary Education, History and Criminology
    • Metropolitan State University

Licenses & Endorsements

  • Endorsements
  • ESL for English Language Learners
  • Elementary STEM
  • Special Education - Mild/Moderate Disabilities
  • Special Education - Severe Disabilities
  • LETRS Science of Reading
  • Utah Professional Educator License - Level 2
  • Early Childhood Education (PK-2)
  • Elementary Education (1-8)
  • Special Education (K-12+)

Where I Have Taught

  • Alameda Elementary, New Mexico
  • Dowell Elementary, Maryland
  • MarLon Hills Elementary, WSD
  • Riverdale Elementary, WSD
  • Orchard Springs Elementary, WSD

Weird Information

  • I can’t live without my electric toothbrush
  • Some say I’m a geek and I think that’s the best compliment
  • I talk to all animals even if they won’t talk back
  • Star Trek is my favorite series…yep, I’m a groupie 
  • I have strange pets
  • My organization system makes sense to me and no one else
  • I rarely go to the movie theater
  • Spinach toast and chicken pot pie are my comfort foods
  • Potato chips belong IN the PB&J sandwich, not as a side

What I Do For Fun

  • Read, Read, Read
  • Take care of my critters
  • Travel anywhere
  • Camping and hiking
  • Kayaking and river rafting
  • Photography 
  • Sailing in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans
  • Cultural events and exchanges
  • Ride my tricycle
  • 4 wheeling, off-roading, RZR riding
  • Tinker with technology
  • Creating anything