Principal's Message
Dear Laurel Elementary Families,
Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year!
It is both an honor and a blessing to serve as the Principal of Laurel Elementary School. After spending many years teaching and serving the students and families of Laurel, I am excited to begin this new chapter alongside the school community that means so much to me.
Laurel Elementary is more than just a school—it is our Laurel Elementary family. Our students, teachers, staff, parents, and community work together to create a caring, respectful, and supportive environment where every child is encouraged to learn, grow, and succeed. The relationships we build with one another are the foundation of everything we do.
Our dedicated faculty and staff have been working hard to prepare for another outstanding year of learning. We are committed to providing high-quality instruction while helping every student reach their fullest potential academically, socially, and emotionally. We believe every child can succeed, and we will work together to ensure each student has the support they need.
Our mission at Laurel Elementary School is to help each child develop their unique strengths and talents through rigorous learning opportunities and meaningful challenges. Our dedicated staff members build strong relationships with students, collaborate using data-driven strategies, and work tirelessly to ensure every child thrives. We are committed to fostering curiosity, character, and confidence while preparing our students for success both inside and outside the classroom.
As Laurel Panthers, we strive to live by our PAWS each day:
- P – Proud: We take pride in ourselves, our school, and our accomplishments.
- A – Accepting: We value and respect every person, celebrating our differences and treating others with kindness.
- W – Worthy: We recognize that every student is valued, capable, and deserving of respect and opportunity.
- S – Strong: We persevere through challenges, demonstrate resilience, and work together to achieve our goals.
These values guide everything we do and help create a school culture where every student feels safe, supported, respected, and inspired to do their very best.
Your partnership is essential to fulfilling our mission. Encouraging regular attendance, supporting your child's learning at home, maintaining open communication with teachers, and reinforcing our PAWS values help create the strong foundation every child needs for success. When families and schools work together, our students have the greatest opportunity to reach their full potential.
One of the keys to student success is strong communication between home and school. I encourage you to stay involved in your child's education and never hesitate to reach out if you have questions or concerns. You may contact your child's teacher or me directly by phone at (423) 727-2685 or by email at btaylor@jocoed.net.
To stay informed throughout the school year, please connect with us through one or more of our communication platforms:
- Phone Calls
- ClassDojo
- JoCo App
- Johnson County Schools Website: www.jocoed.net
- Laurel Elementary Website: laurel.jocoed.net
- Facebook: LES Panther Pride
At Laurel Elementary School, we believe education extends beyond the classroom. Along with strong academics, we strive to develop students of character who are compassionate, responsible, and resilient. Our goal is to prepare every child to become a lifelong learner, a confident leader, and a productive citizen who will make a positive difference in our community and beyond.
Thank you for trusting us with your children. I look forward to partnering with you as we make the 2026–2027 school year one filled with learning, growth, achievement, and memorable experiences.
Thank you for your continued support of Laurel Elementary School. Together, we will continue to make Laurel a place where every child can learn, lead, and succeed by living our PAWS every day—being Proud, Accepting, Worthy, and Strong.
I look forward to seeing everyone soon. Here's to a wonderful school year!
"Once a Panther, Always a Panther! Let's make this our best year yet by living our PAWS every day."