FAQs

I’m Amy Taylor — a 7th-grade English teacher at Calhoun Middle School in Denton ISD, where I’ve taught for 15 years in Title I schools. I’m running for the State Board of Education because I believe education policy should be shaped by people who actually understand what’s happening in classrooms. Too often, SBOE decisions are made by politicians and ideologues rather than educators. I want to change that.

Fifteen years of classroom experience in high-poverty schools in North Texas. I hold a B.A. from Kalamazoo College, a Post-Baccalaureate Teaching Certificate from UNT, and an M.A. from the University of Houston. I understand how SBOE decisions — on curriculum standards, textbooks, and teacher certification — play out in real classrooms with real students. I’ve lived the consequences of those decisions, and I’ll bring that perspective to every vote.

My priorities on the SBOE are straightforward: curriculum standards should be written by educators, not politicians — and any school receiving public money should be accountable to the public. Everything else flows from those two principles.

The SBOE has significant authority over Texas public education. It sets the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) — the curriculum standards that govern what students learn in every subject from kindergarten through high school. It approves instructional materials and textbooks. It oversees the Permanent School Fund, a $50+ billion endowment that helps fund public schools. And it reviews and can veto rules from the State Board for Educator Certification. These decisions affect 5 million Texas students every day.

TEKS stands for Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills — the official curriculum standards for Texas public schools. They define what students are expected to learn in every subject at every grade level. When the SBOE adopts or revises TEKS, it shapes what teachers teach, what textbooks contain, and what shows up on state assessments. Getting TEKS right — grounded in research, developed by educators, and free from political interference — is one of my top priorities.

The Legislature sets education law. The TEA, led by the Commissioner of Education, implements that law. The SBOE is meant to provide independent oversight — ensuring that policies reflect educational best practices and the realities of real classrooms. In recent years, too much authority has shifted to the TEA commissioner, who is unelected. I believe the SBOE must serve as a meaningful check on that power, prioritizing transparency and educator input over top-down control.

I oppose them. Public money belongs in public schools. Texas just launched a $1 billion voucher program that diverts taxpayer dollars to private schools with no accountability requirements — schools that can turn away students with disabilities, refuse admission based on religion or behavior, and operate without the transparency we expect of public institutions. Public schools serve every child regardless of background, income, or ability. Vouchers undermine that promise.

Parents absolutely have the right to decide what their own child reads — and I support opt-out rights for families. But no single parent or group should have the power to decide what every child in Texas can access. School book review committees should include librarians, teachers, parents, and community members. Students have a right to books that reflect the diversity of our state, our country, and our world.

History should be taught honestly — including the parts that are complicated, uncomfortable, and unresolved. Laws like HB 3979 and SB 3 have created fear and self-censorship among teachers who are trying to do their jobs. As an SBOE member, I would push for narrow interpretation of these laws, clear guidance for educators, and curriculum standards that protect honest teaching and critical thinking. For example, our history must wrestle with race and racism. That’s not indoctrination — that’s education.

Texas teacher salaries were roughly $10,000 below the national average before HB 2 passed in 2025 — and even with that increase, we haven’t resolved the crisis. I support state-funded, across-the-board teacher pay raises with the long-term goal of reaching the national average. I also support dramatically increasing the state’s contribution to educator health insurance. The current $75/month state contribution hasn’t changed since 2002. Many teachers and school employees go without insurance because they simply can’t afford it — and that has to change. That said, the SBOE does not impact teacher pay and benefits, but that doesn’t mean I won’t advocate for what’s right.

Because someone has to. The State Board of Education makes decisions that affect every child in Texas — regardless of party. District 14 is filled with parents, teachers, and community members who know the value of their public schools. They deserve a candidate who will fight for honest curriculum, experienced teachers, and schools that serve every child. I’m not running because it’s easy. I’m running because the SBOE matters, and the people of North Texas deserve a real choice on their ballot.

Visit amytaylortexas.com to learn more, donate, or get in touch. You can also follow and message me on Facebook at facebook.com/amytaylortexas. The best thing you can do right now is share my posts, talk to your neighbors, and make sure people in District 14 know there’s a teacher on the ballot who’s fighting for their kids.