Student Spotlight

Tayler Watkins

Class of '18, Masters '21

Specialization in Mathematics With a Minor in Psychology

“I didn’t want to be a teacher when I was growing up; I wanted to be a lawyer because I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. My mom works in education and would tell me that I would be a great teacher, but it wasn’t until I was in high school and saw the movie Freedom Writers with Hilary Swank that I realized I could make a huge difference in children’s lives. I always hated math in elementary school until my fourth-grade teacher began tutoring me and really working after hours with me on math. I remember the moment when it finally clicked. I was so excited and proud of myself. Consequently, math became my favorite subject! Later in high school, I thought if one teacher could make that kind of impact on me, especially when I dreaded math class, then I could make that kind of difference for someone, too.”

Taylor believes it is important to imagine your life at a university before you choose one. “I could have gone to a Division I (D1) school closer to home, but sometimes there are so many people in a classroom or lecture hall that you can’t get the quality one-on-one experience and attention that I knew FSU could offer. I knew that by choosing FSU, I would have smaller class sizes and still have the same opportunities to volunteer and make friends like at a D1 school. I’ve been a resident hall director, tutor, and the graduate assistant for the Office of Clinical and Field Experiences. These opportunities would have been more difficult at larger schools. I also feel like the educators here are willing to go above and beyond for their students. I have made so many lifelong friendships with them. This support system has made the entire four years of undergrad and two years of grad school feel like a family environment, which is why I chose FSU and am proud to be a Bobcat.”