After singing an outstanding performance of the national anthem at a Texas Rangers game, Taylor Smith-Bothun prepares for a new week as the new associate principal of Coppell High School.
Smith-Bothun has an extensive background in education as an assistant principal at Coppell Middle School West since 2022, a Spanish teacher in Eden Prairie Schools in Minnesota and a digital learning coach in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD.
Smith-Bothun studied at Bethel University in Saint Paul, Minn, obtaining a double major degree in K-12 Spanish education and vocal performance. With a master’s degree in educational leadership at Minnesota State University and a principal certification at the University of North Texas, Smith-Bothun is ready for his new position.
“I was compelled to CISD because it’s just an incredible district,” Smith-Bothun said. “I’ve been in four different districts throughout my career and this is the most positive, encouraging and successful district I have ever seen where there’s real collaboration between teachers, administration and district leadership. I really feel like we’re all cohesively working together to do what’s best for kids.”
Coppell High School Principal Laura Springer is intrigued by Smith-Bothun’s charismatic personality.
“[Smith-Bothun] is young, excited and full of life,” Springer said. “He’s very knowledgeable about the curriculum and wants kids to be successful. He’s somebody that I think will eventually want to become a principal, so I want to show him what I think is important for that role.”
Smith-Bothun found a love for learning and speaking Spanish, now fluent in the language.
“I started [learning the language] in middle school and loved it,” Smith-Bothun said. “I was not good at it at first, but I had really great teachers that made me fall in love with the language as I progressed to my senior year. I also lived abroad in Spain for a year when I was in college and that was really where [the language] cemented for me.”
Smith-Bothun holds an advantage in communicating with non-English speakers within the school.
“It’s important that we have representation for students to be able to speak their heart language,” Smith-Bothun said. “Being able to communicate with our students and families, who are first Spanish speakers, provides a safe space for them to be able to express themselves authentically and to have somebody that can hear them speaking from their heart.”
Originally from Minnesota, Smith-Bothun was drawn to Texas because of his husband, Hudson Smith-Bothun.
“My husband is actually from Waxahachie, Texas,” Smith-Bothun said. “He moved up to Minnesota and we met there. We’ve been married six years; I always knew that he wanted to come back to Texas and I was open to a change.”
With a major in music and vocal performance, Smith-Bothun is a regular singer for the Rangers.
“I started singing when I was in Minnesota for the Minnesota Twins, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Minnesota Lynx,” Smith-Bothun said. “Then, they put me in contact with the folks at the Rangers and I actually was just asked a couple days ago to sing the anthem on Sept. 21 – it will be my 12th anthem with them.”
Prior to his commitment to education, Smith-Bothun spent his time performing in large musical productions.
”I used to do a lot more performances in fully staged operas and musical theaters,” Smith-Bothun said. “As I stepped into administration, the time to do those full stage productions has now been devoted to the school, so one outlet I still have is performing in my church choir every Wednesday and Sunday.”
CHS staff members have gotten to know Smith-Bothun personally, captivated by his alluring and inspiring character.
“I think he is going to do a wonderful job throughout the year,” data and administrative support specialist Erin Kelly said. “He has such a large personality and he could be so silly but the second that something gets serious, he gets right into ‘associate principal mode’ and is ready to solve problems.”
Smith-Bothun is thrilled to lead this school year, hoping to connect with students.
“Right now, I’m doing a lot with clubs and it’s been great learning more about the passions that our students have and the things that they want to champion and support,” Smith-Bothun said. “I’m excited to continue to build those relationships and get to know the incredible students that make this school what it is.”
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