New Leader Spotlight: Dr. Rikki Hunt Taylor of Meridian PCS

Dr. Rikki Hunt Taylor joined Meridian Public Charter School as its Executive Director at the start of this school year. She has over three decades of experience in education, where she has built learning communities that help students thrive. Meet Dr. Hunt Taylor and learn more about how Meridian uniquely support students:

What inspired you to work in education?

I have always wanted to live a life of service. I aspired to join foreign service, however, in college, I realized that I wanted to work in my own community. After one day of volunteering in a community-based pre-k classroom, I knew that supporting students and families was my purpose.

What’s a moment of growth you witnessed at your school?

I am new to the school so I don't have lots to share about student growth yet: however, our entire staff engaged in an impactful back-to-school professional development training series, also known as “pre-service.” To better connect our schoolwide staff, we established a "house system" of smaller cohorts where all staff members belong to a specific house. We have crests, calls and responses, and friendly competitions. The house days bring lots of joy to our community.

What's something about your school community you wish more people knew?

Our school is a caring and child-centered community. We are a longstanding charter (26 years) that prioritizes individualized learning and smaller class sizes in the primary grades. Our middle school campus offers a smaller environment without compromising high school preparation as we offer foreign language and accelerated math courses.

What's your vision for the future of your school?

Our school will provide high quality, rigorous and joyful learning by centering reading instruction, creative arts, and service learning programs that develop leadership skills for our students and compassion for others in the Meridian community and beyond.

What makes your school's approach to education unique or distinctive?

We are an Expeditionary Learning (EL) affiliated school, following the curriculum approach where students are inspired to master academic knowledge and skills, develop positive characteristics and create high-quality work.Our school values the collective community and student-centered learning.

What's one thing about DC charter schools that might surprise people who aren't familiar with them?

DC charter schools are public schools. Whether you choose a charter school or a "traditional" school, we are a public institution with all of the rights and responsibilities.