CULLMAN, Ala. – Coach Jim Taylor will be the 2023 recipient of St. Paul’s Lutheran School’s Impact Award, to be presented at the Alumni & Friends Dinner and School Auction on May 15 at Terri Pines in Cullman.
The Impact Award is inspired by the following passage from 1 Peter 4: 10-11:
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
Coach Taylor’s dedication and connection to his students beyond the classroom has made a lasting impact on their lives.
Jimmy Walton Taylor Jr., best known as “Coach,” grew up as a preacher’s kid in Cullman. Coach’s father Jim Taylor Sr. served as pastor of East Side Baptist Church. A graduate of Cullman High School, he continued his education, graduating from Samford University and attended graduate school in Dallas, Texas. During his undergrad and grad years he faithfully served churches as a youth pastor.
Coach also loved volunteering with the Special Olympics. His love for young people, especially those who need a little extra attention, has always been a part of his showing and sharing God’s Love. As a co- owner of a medical publishing and consulting company, he invested his time traveling the country working with state and national health care associations and corporations.
In 2011, Coach came home to Alabama. While living in Birmingham, he worked with a school district as a very in-demand substitute teacher. After a high school senior was tragically fully paralyzed during a wrestling match, the school asked Coach to assist this young man full time for him to finish his senior year. One of the great joys of Coach’s life was watching this boy overcome his tragedy to graduate high school and continue on to attend college.
Coach’s life made a full circle as he moved back to his hometown in 2013. His priority was to meet the principal of the Cullman County Child Development Center to inquire if the school could use his services. Coach spent the next school year helping individual students at Vinemont High School and Fairview Elementary.
Coach’s love for St Paul’s began in 2014 when Will Fowler, a student with muscular dystrophy, needed assistance navigating his daily activities at school to complete fifth and sixth grade. Will’s family were longtime friends of Coach’s future in-laws, and all families were thrilled and blessed when Coach accepted the position. Coach and Will were the perfect match and each enjoyed sharing their daily activities and accomplishments. Upon Will’s impending move to seventh grade at Cullman Middle School, Coach began discussing his future at St. Paul’s.
He told then Principal Annette Creest, “I love this school and I am not leaving so you need to find something for me to do.” She and the school board made the decision to move St. Paul’s PE from a two- day, after-lunch program, to a full-day four days a week program. So began Coach’s life as the PE teacher.
If you ask Coach what he does at St. Paul’s, he will tell you with a smile, “I am just a part-time PE guy.” But those who know Coach understand he is so much more than that. As one teacher said, “You always know where Coach is in the building because you can hear the kids yelling, “Coach, Coach, Coach!” whenever they see him.
His impact on St. Paul’s is reflected by the impression that is left on each student and staff member who has been touched by Coach’s presence. Coach’s Love for St. Paul’s and his belief in its mission inspired him and his family greatly, and in return generous donations have been lovingly given as numerous gifts for the school. These gifts, previously given anonymously, provided for the playground renovation, new PE equipment, updated new video sign and other unmentioned needs. Upholding its belief in higher education, its greatest heartfelt mission is to provide multiple annual scholarships for non-member students so they might grow and learn in a wholesome Christian environment.
St. Paul’s Lutheran is more than just a school; it’s family. Whether it’s being a volunteer, personal trainer, guide, disciplinary, friend or motivator, where else can your children feel individual care and guidance while also experiencing the love and faith of Coach? God most definitely has guided him to be exactly who, what and where he needs to be. Impact, you see, is all about balance. Sometimes you need people just as much as they need and love you. This impact and balance are what the students, pastors, teachers and staff of St. Paul’s give in return to Coach. Blessings not only come to the one who gives but also to the ones who receive. We have all seen this family return to its roots at some time or another, whether it be joyous or sad. Coach has always been there wholeheartedly side by side through thick and thin no matter the need. He is always there for whatever the need. That’s how impact works. It’s the action of one person encountering another and making a difference. As humble as he may be, you must understand how blessed he feels when he hears the statement, “Coach has made a difference in me.”
