“We’re not just building projects—we’re building people. And that’s what makes this learning environment so powerful!”
Terrell Taylor teaches Construction Trades at Merrillville High School in Merrillville, Indiana. Inspired by his early passion for construction and shaped by extensive industry experience, Taylor transitioned from building award-winning homes and managing major projects nationwide to educating the next generation of skilled trades professionals. Taylor is a former President of the Building Industries Association and executive committee member of the Indiana Builders Association. Taylor is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Indiana State Teachers Association Minority Educator of the Year, National Association of Home Builders Student Chapters Outstanding Educator Award and 2024 DEWALT Grow the Trades grant.
Taylor’s program provides a rigorous, career-aligned pathway. Students earn National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) Carpentry certifications and OSHA 10 & 30 credentials while completing real-world projects, from framing walls and remodeling school spaces to constructing community structures. These projects teach craftsmanship, problem-solving, and collaboration while giving students tangible portfolios of their work. The program’s scaffolded instruction, project-based learning, and mentorship ensure that students graduate confident, technically skilled, and ready for apprenticeships, further education, or immediate employment. Nearly all program seniors graduate—supported by a 95 percent attendance rate and 98 percent graduation rate.
Taylor fosters an inclusive, hands-on learning environment where mistakes are opportunities, students build both technical and professional skills, and exceptional learners are supported to thrive. Integrating AI tools like ChatGPT enhances personalized learning, safety training, and student engagement, preparing students to navigate modern construction workplaces. Through expert instruction, industry partnerships, mentorship, and innovative technology, Taylor transforms students’ skills, confidence, and futures—ensuring they not only enter the workforce ready to succeed but also see themselves as capable, valued professionals.
Notes of Excellence
- Taylor’s program serves 220 students annually with large percentages securing industry-recognized certifications (NCCER, OSHA 10 & 30).
- 98 percent of students in Taylor’s program qualify for direct entry into the Carpenter’s Apprenticeship Program through an articulation agreement with the union.
- Taylor founded the Merrillville Education Foundation to support teacher-led innovation through classroom grants. The foundation has awarded over $440,000 to local classrooms.