From Classroom to Career: Alumni Scholar Victoria Taylor, MS ’21, Shares Her Journey
Published 09/21/2026 in Alumni Features
Written
by (Staff) Dianne Delima |
09/21/2026
University High School is an expansive campus located less than five miles from the Santa Monica Pier. The school spans 24 acres, with most buildings rising three stories tall. At the center of the grounds sits a thriving garden, showcasing a colorful display of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers, all maintained by students and teachers.
Our visit to this beautiful space goes back to the pre-summer season. Upon entering the high school on a late afternoon, it was clear that students were excited for the end of the school year. Posters urging students to “Vote for Prom King and Prom Queen” lined the hallways, and seniors could be seen across campus taking graduation photos. University High School enrolls over 1,300 students across grades nine through twelve, maintaining a strong sense of warmth and welcome. The student population is primarily Hispanic/Latino and Black. Motivational signs encouraging students to strive for their best work can be seen along the hallways, accompanied by brightly colored reminders of college applications and upcoming deadlines.
It is a place where Victoria Taylor, MS ’21, knew she wanted to teach from the very beginning of her journey as a high school educator. A UCLA alumna, Victoria earned her bachelor’s degree in Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution before completing her Master’s in Education. She has now been teaching Chemistry and Biology at University High School for two years. Her path to the classroom began much earlier. As a teenager, Victoria offered free tutoring lessons, an experience that first revealed her passion for education. Through those early moments of helping others learn, she realized that teaching was not just an interest, but a calling, one that continues to guide her work today.
When you enter Victoria’s classroom, her passion for teaching and her students are immediately felt. Her classroom is filled with various chemistry and biology tools, and she is also in the process of getting a small aquarium, which would add to the inviting atmosphere she creates to help students feel engaged, curious, and at home. Behind her desk, there is a wall and cabinet where handmade cards and gifts from students are displayed. Victoria read one of the cards aloud and laughed when the student ended it simply with, “You’re a real one,” explaining that moments like those “made all the hard days of teaching worth it.” When she speaks about her students, Victoria frequently calls them “fun,” describing their energy and individuality as the reason her classroom never feels the same from one day to the next.
In her short time at University High School, the cards and small gifts tucked behind her desk offer a glimpse into the impact Victoria has already made. Teaching Biology and Chemistry to classes that sometimes exceed 40 students, she has learned to advocate fiercely for both her students and her classroom. Through fundraising and seeking out resources on her own, Victoria works relentlessly to ensure her students have the tools they need to succeed. She has also made it a point to provide her students with memorable experiences outside of school with trips to the zoo or visits to local museums.
Victoria’s passion for teaching extends beyond her own classroom. She currently mentors a handful of Cal Teach students from UCLA, meeting with them to talk through curriculum development, lesson planning, and different pedagogical approaches. Through these conversations, Victoria sees an opportunity to help shape the next generation of educators. That work has also influenced how she imagines her own future, as she hopes to one day pursue a doctorate in education so she can continue supporting teachers in meaningful and lasting ways.
As Victoria continues to teach, mentor, and grow as an educator, her work reflects a belief that education is rooted in care, curiosity, and connection. It is this belief that shapes her classroom today and guides her vision for the future.
