Carolyn Thompson Taylor

Carolyn Thompson Taylor is an American academic and politician who served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1984 to 1992. Before running for office, Taylor taught AP government at Norman High School from 1979 to 1984. While in the House, she was chair of the Education Committee and Appropriations Sub-Committee on Education. She was a principal author of numerous landmark education bills involving both higher education and public schools. She also authored legislation concerning health care for children and family leave. While in office she was an adjunct professor at Oklahoma Baptist University and the University of Oklahoma. After leaving office, Taylor was vice president of academic affairs at the University Center of Tulsa (now Rogers State University) and later a distinguished professor of political science at Rogers State.

Early life and education Taylor was born in 1957 to parents Frank and JoAnne Miller in Norman, Oklahoma and is the oldest of five children. Her parents were also born in Norman, and the majority of her family lived in the area. During her childhood, Taylor enjoyed spending time at the library, the Museum of Natural History, and her grandparents' farm. From the first to fifth grade, Taylor attended a private Catholic school, but she finished her education through the Norman public school system, graduating from Norman High School. She then attended the University of Oklahoma (OU), where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in American history and a teaching certificate. She was also a member of the college marching band, "The Pride of Oklahoma."

Career After graduating in 1979, Taylor was offered a teaching job at Norman High School. Mrs. Viola Smith, a favorite teacher of Taylor’s, had timed her retirement so Taylor could assume her position as the AP government teacher.

From 1979 to 1984, Taylor was an active volunteer on campaigns of pro-education candidates for state and local offices and participated in chances to lobby Oklahoma legislators at the capitol on behalf of education. In the summer of 1984, she was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to spend the summer studying politics & government in the Middle East. However, at around the same time, State Representative Cleta Deatherage decided not to run for reelection in Taylor's district. Many encouraged Taylor to run for the seat. After discussing a possible run with the Norman High School principal, she was given a leave of absence to campaign; she also had to turn down her Fulbright opportunity. Paula Roberts, another Norman High teacher, served as her campaign manager for this and her other three campaigns. Taylor was endorsed by the Oklahoma Education Association and other groups.

As part of her university service, Taylor has administered the President's Leadership Class and the Washington Center Internship Program, which places students in internships in Washington, D.C. She also coordinated the Brad Henry Scholarship program at RSU, which selects RSU students to study in Swansea, Wales. Taylor has also served on or chaired several RSU committees as well as co-coached the university’s Mind Games Academic Team.

Publications

Taylor was lead editor and author of the book Voices from the Heartland, a finalist for the 2008 Oklahoma Book of the Year. She has also contributed to the books Fantasy Media in the Classroom and The Truth of Buffy: Essays on Fiction Illuminating Reality.

Boards

Taylor has served on numerous boards of directors, including those for Arvest Bank, the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, and the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History.

Achievements and awards Teacher of the Year, Oklahoma Political Science Association (2015) Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame inductee (2007) Child Advocates Hall of Fame inductee (2003) One of Oklahoma Observers Top Ten Legislators of the Year (1990, 1991, and 1992) Pinnacle Award from the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women in Tulsa (1995)