AJC Photos: Harper-Archer Principal Taylor at work

Education

Harper-Archer Principal Taylor at work

Inside the daunting quest to improve an Atlanta school

October 24, 2019 - Atlanta - We follow Harper Archer's principal, Dr. Dione Simon Taylor, on her morning routine. Bob Andres / robert.andres@ajc.com

February 21, 2020 - Atlanta - Harper Archer principal Dr. Dione Simon Taylor shoots a communication video for the school's Youtube channel. Afterward, she recorded her regular robot phone call/voice message, which is sent out to parents. Bob Andres / robert.andres@ajc.com

Dr. Taylor talks to a child before school starts on Oct. 24, 2019. Bob Andres / robert.andres@ajc.com

Harper-Archer elementary school faculty and staff reach for ice cream bars before the start of a meeting with the principal in the media center at the school in Atlanta, Friday, March, 13, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

Harper-Archer Elementary School principal Dione Taylor presents a list of things her staff will need to do while teaching from home during a meeting in the media center at the school in Atlanta, Friday, March, 13, 2020. This presumably is the school's last staff meeting, in the building, of the academic year. On Friday, Atlanta Public Schools closed their facilities to students and staff due to the uncertainty of COVID19 or the coronavirus. Principal Taylor spent the day figuring out how to make sure her school, in its inaugural year, will successfully finish the academic year. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

Harper-Archer Elementary School principal Dione Taylor presents a list of things her staff will need to do. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

An informative sign for staying healthy and stopping the spread of germs is displayed on a bathroom door at Harper-Archer Elementary school in Atlanta, Friday, March, 13, 2020. On Friday, Atlanta Public Schools closed their facilities to students and staff due to the uncertainty of COVID19 or the coronavirus. Harper-Archer Elementary School principal Dione Taylor spent the day figuring out how to make sure her school, in its inaugural year, will successfully finish the academic year. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM

Dr. Dione Simon Taylor comforts a student who got hit by a ball during the monthly "Gym Jam", an event to reward students who have earned enough points to attend. Bob Andres / robert.andres@ajc.com

Harper-Archer principal Dr. Dione Simon Taylor directs students as they arrive at school. Bob Andres / robert.andres@ajc.com

Dr. Dione Simon Taylor's desk reflects the school’s Trailblazers theme. Bob Andres / robert.andres@ajc.com

Harper Archer principal Dr. Dione Simon Taylor makes a video for the APS Awards nomination. Bob Andres / robert.andres@ajc.com

The principal directs children and adults on Grandparents Day. Bob Andres / robert.andres@ajc.com

Harper-Archer Elementary School administrator Shonda Fulton (left) takes a photo of Principal Dione Taylor (center) and third grade teacher Keisha Johnson (right) outside of the school during Academic Passport Day, Friday, October 18, 2019. Principal Taylor was passing out notes of gratitude to her staff after they showered her with support during National Principals Month. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

Principal Taylor takes a moment to get her students under control after they started to get loud during the school's first ever semester award ceremony inside the school's gym, January 24, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

Parents lined the bleachers as students from first through fifth grade received awards based on academics, attendance and other factors. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Meria Carstarphen shares a moment with Harper-Archer Elementary Principal Dione Simon Taylor at the close of Carstarphen's final State of the District address, which she held at the school. Bob Andres / robert.andres@ajc.com

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October 24, 2019 - Atlanta - We follow Harper Archer's principal, Dr. Dione Simon Taylor, on her morning routine. Bob Andres / robert.andres@ajc.com

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