Darla Sue Taylor, Ph.D.

Passionate about early childhood education, inclusive classrooms, and empowering preservice teachers.
PhD Curriculum and Instruction/focus on Early Childhood/

[Matt Van Swol @mattvanswol]

In 1988 Dolly Parton pulled every 7th and 8th grader in Sevier County into a room and told them to pick a buddy.

She made them sign a contract.. if BOTH graduate, she hands you both $500. One fails, nobody gets paid.

The county dropout rate went from 35% to 6%.

She handed out the checks herself.

In 1989 she offered $500 to every kid in the county who wanted to go to the local college.

When Gatlinburg burned in 2016, she sent 900 families $1,000 a month for six months.

You've probably heard that part.

Here's the part you haven't:

The fund raised more than expected, so she showed up in May and handed every one of those families another $5,000 on top.

Then she quietly put $3 million into the recovery group that handles the years after the news trucks leave.

She built her county an entire hospital.

She played a benefit concert in 2007, Dollywood and the Stampede matched it, and LeConte Medical Center opened in 2010 with a birthing unit and a women's center in it.

In 2022 she started covering 100% of tuition, books, and fees for Dollywood employees.

Full-time, part-time, AND seasonal.

In 1991 she paid for a bald eagle sanctuary because the birds couldn't be released back into the wild, no press release.

And when Hurricane Helene came through here in Western North Carolina, she wrote a personal check for $1 million and her companies matched it.

She didn't owe North Carolina anything, but she helped us anyway.

She started the Imagination Library because her daddy couldn't read or write. Before he passed, he told her it was the most important thing she ever did.

Rest in Peace, Dolly 🇺🇸

[Miley Official @MileyCyrusBz]

It was revealed that Dolly Parton was secretly battling cancer but she didn't say anything and instead released this song as one of her last to raise funds for children with cancer. Even while she was sick she was still thinking about others. I’m absolutely devastated.

[Darla Sue Taylor, Ph.D. @Asteppingstone]

@greggutfeld Wow! Just wow! I am beyond words here....I just can't....

[Abilene Christian University @ACUedu]

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. | Jeremiah 29:11

[Darla Sue Taylor, Ph.D. @Asteppingstone]

@karolineleavitt Thank you so much for your service to our country! ❤️🤍💙 Enjoy your babies!

[Abilene Christian University @ACUedu]

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” | Ephesians 3:20

[Abilene Christian University @ACUedu]

That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. | Ecclesiastes 3:13

[Abilene Christian University @ACUedu]

The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. | Isaiah 58:11

[Darla Sue Taylor, Ph.D. @Asteppingstone]

@NobodymrRobert YES!

[Abilene Christian University @ACUedu]

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. | Philippians 2:3-4

[BostonWriter @bostonwriter]

If this sort of thing doesn’t stop you in your tracks and make even the slightest twinge of pride rise in your soul… well… I feel sorry for you.

[Election Wizard @ElectionWiz]

WATCH: The Boston Pops performs Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture with perfectly choreographed cannon fire from the U.S. military.

As God, country, and the composer intended.

[Abilene Christian University @ACUedu]

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. | Galatians 5:13

[Darla Sue Taylor, Ph.D. @Asteppingstone]

@LangmanVince 0

[Darla Sue Taylor, Ph.D. @Asteppingstone]

@tobymac Such an awesome song with an awesome reminder! I listen to this specific song many times to uplift my soul and share it with others! #joy #peace #Helives

[TobyMac @tobymac]

Promised Land…

[Abilene Christian University @ACUedu]

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. | Micah 6:8

[Love Music @khnh80044]

She is a beautiful teacher who welcomes children with a beautiful welcome😍❤️

[Abilene Christian University @ACUedu]

The Department of Music helps create the soundtrack for some of ACU’s most memorable traditions.

That same foundation prepares graduates to lead classrooms, perform on stages and build careers across the music industry.

Learn more: https://t.co/6DcrvaB1Px