Taylor Lifka

Taylor was born and raised in the Western suburbs of Chicago and graduated from Denison University in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Immediately following graduation, Taylor was accepted to Teach For America as a Rio Grande Valley Corps Member where she taught Advanced English I for four consecutive years at Roma High School. Her years in the classroom solidified a deep belief in the power of social emotional learning as the catalyst to student success. Taylor believes that as the future leaders of this world, all scholars deserve equal opportunities to feel seen, validated and affirmed for their individual perspectives, identities and experiences.

Through her work at the Lab, Taylor aims to serve as a trusted liaison between university stake-holders, high school co-teachers, and students in order to reframe mindsets – create conversations – and increase access and opportunities. Taylor is energized by the passionate and curious youth in this nation and their infinite potential to recreate the educational system for future generations, and she is invigorated by the opportunity to work in tandem with her scholars and community partners in order to overhaul a broken system.