Amidst the complexity and commerce of Delray Beach is a quiet place where experience and education intersect. It’s an inclusive yet diverse environment where children feel safe, valued, and supported on their educational journey.
It takes a lot of guts to start a school that dances to its own educational beat, but there is one person who was up for the challenge.
Her name is Tamika Taylor.
Taylor doesn’t make headlines in the newspaper or attend events in glitter-filled ballrooms. She is a quiet force for good, helping children attain educational success, confidence, self-esteem, and resilience.
Taylor created this alternative educational system be-cause she saw how traditional educational models don’t work for every child. One size does not fit all, you could say.
She knew that from experience – her own.
“I always wondered why I couldn’t learn like the other kids. I realized that I learned differently – things had to be visual, auditory or tactile.”
It was in graduate school that Taylor discovered her learning curve was straighter and more direct than her educational peers. “Once I learned how my brain oper-ated it got better.”
It also put Taylor on the road less traveled in the edu-cational sphere. She taught school (and tutored) for 10 years and found that some students were way behind in their reading skills.
They say when the student is ready the teacher will ap-pear. That is exactly what happened.
Taylor took the medium and the message to the com-munity. She launched a special school in a small quiet sec-tion of Delray Beach.
Called Impact Achievement Learning Center this mi-croschool hails from a new educational model. Its pur-pose is to provide a personalized education plan for stu-dents to learn at their own pace.
The underlying model of success is driven by common sense, yet Taylor’s understanding of the learning process has made her an educational renegade in a field of sameness.
It was her own personal experience that solidified this challenge – and the school.
As a graduate student at Barry University Taylor learned she had dyslexia. The revelation was life-changing. She realized her academic struggles weren’t a lack of intelligence, but a difference in how her brain processed information. That understanding became her compass and motivation.
Her experience revealed a harsh truth: too many chil-dren were behind in reading (or couldn’t read). “Some of the kids I tutored weren’t feeling good about themselves and were behind academically. I knew I had to create something different.”
With the help of dedicated educators, community members, and her own unshakable faith, Impact Achievement Learning Center was born.
Taylor’s classes are small and her approach individualized. She uses project-based learning tools to strengthen students’ life skills, lessen anxiety and improve interpersonal skills.
Students learn by reading aloud, studying vocabulary together, watching videos, discussing lessons, and writing about what they’ve absorbed. “My brain is like an engine,” Taylor says. “I download information in a different way. That is what I teach my students.”
The school blends academics with life experiences. They get horse therapy, culinary and art classes, field trips, and community presentations. Delray Beach fire-fighters and police officers come to visit. The Coco Gauff Foundation recently stopped by, and children get to tour fire stations and see teamwork and cooperation in action.
“Kids need experiences,” Taylor explains. “They need to see the world, not just read about it.”
That is exactly why Bianca Gallo Pucci is teaching financial literacy. Thanks to Gallo Pucci, Taylor’s school now has financial literacy classes every Thursday for eight weeks. In this class students learn about money, how to save it, spend it and get a better understanding of financial careers open to them.
Recently a generous donor gave a jar of coins he saved for five years to Taylor’s school. The purpose was to help the kids learn good job habits, teamwork (Coin assembly operation), earn money and give back.
“After a training session they put $1,024.28 worth of coins in rollers in 55 minutes. They earned a paycheck which goes into their savings box, and the balance goes to the school,” adds Gallo Pucci, of BGP Consulting.
The event was such a success they are starting the “Coin for Kids Campaign” so they can continue this job, earn money and learn saving habits. Anyone can donate their extra coins to this mission.
This spirited microschool (and its exalted ramifications) sets educator C. Ron Allen on a rapid blaze of praise for Taylor. “Tamika’s impact is felt in every hug from a grateful parent, every smile from a child who feels seen, and every moment of transformation. Her influ-ence stretches far beyond the walls of the school. She’s a leader who doesn’t just teach, she uplifts.”
According to volunteer teacher Marla Acosta, Taylor does amazing things for families in Delray. She invites community members to conduct workshops for high school students. She also has Dyslexia Awareness events for children and their parents. To make sure parents with young children can attend she arranges childcare to entertain siblings.
Taylor also created a beautiful graduation ceremony and reception for seniors at an elegant ballroom. She helps college bound students with their college essays and takes them to visit colleges.
She also makes sure her students set their goals higher than expected. “Some students are gifted and don’t understand they can ap-ply to Ivy League schools. They don’t know that their SAT scores can get them into good colleges.”
Acosta has seen the miracles of this strong-willed woman of faith and her desire to help others. “Ms. Taylor ensures student’s academic journey is complemented by personal development. Her tireless work ethic, coupled with her genuine care for children’s welfare, makes her an invaluable asset to any educational institution.”
Joycelyn Patrick would agree. “We saw such great improvement in my granddaughter when she attended Miss Taylor’s school. She was one of her first students and she’s thriving. She’s also being exposed to things she never would have experienced.”
That’s for sure. Recently two Impact Achievement Learning Center students were selected to present at the Martin Luther King Oral Es-says Contest sponsored by KOP Mentoring Network at the Arts Garage.
Taylor’s giving stretches far beyond the walls of the microschool. She gives free writing workshops (for parents and children) and pro-vides free educational resources for them.
Taylor also volunteers at Urban League food drives, wraps gifts for KOP Mentoring’s holiday programs, distributes Thanksgiving turkeys, and supports community events across Delray Beach.
“Her service is constant,” says C. Ron. “It’s not seasonal. It’s a life-style. Even on field trip days she drives the school bus.”
Though Taylor’s heart was set on going to law school, the universe (and nature) had other plans for this compassionate woman.
She became a mother. Though she loves teaching, Taylor’s four sons are one of her proudest achievements. Her twin sons are in college, one at Framingham University and one in Pennsylvania; her third son is a graduate of Dartmouth and plays for the Green Bay Packers; and her oldest son graduated from FIU and lives in Orlando.
Though her children are grown, Taylor continues to look after other people’s young ones. At Mt. Olive Church, where her microschool is housed, the daycare children race to her with outstretched arms. They cling to her waist as she exits the classroom, greeting her like a be-loved celebrity.
And to those who know Taylor she is a celebrity.
“Mr. Taylor is doing sacred work. She’s not just teaching math and reading, she’s teaching healing, resilience and self-worth. This is more than a school, it’s a movement,” adds C. Ron.
Acosta agrees that Taylor’s heart is always beating for a cause greater than herself. “Tamika’s educational philosophy is rooted in love, compassion, respect, and high standards.”
To donate or get involved contact: impactachievementcenter@gmail.com or call: 561-573-7283
