By Jalen Maki
Tomahawk Leader Editor
TOMAHAWK – A new face at the School District of Tomahawk is looking to further connect the district with the community.
As Community Education Coordinator, Taylor Remington brings her passion for community engagement to the district.
Small town roots
Remington has small town roots in eastern Wisconsin, where her family operated grocery stores – her grandparents owned the IGA in Black Creek, and her parents, originally from Iola, also operated the Black Creek store before owning Remington’s Quality Foods in Manawa, where Remington was raised.
“I grew up in customer service,” Remington said. “Community engagement has been ingrained in me since childhood. I believe it fosters a sense of belonging.”
Remington attended Little Wolf High School, where she was President of the Student Council and was involved in FFA and Art Team. In Publications, she worked on yearbooks and the school newspaper. She also coordinated various events and activities throughout her high school career and continues to organize class reunions as President of her class.
College at UWSP; background in community engagement
After graduating from high school in 2012, Remington attended UW-Stevens Point. She graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Biology and minoring in Business Administration. Remington studied graduate-level courses in Community Program Development, Evaluation, and Leadership in the Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems Graduate Program at UWSP after earning her bachelor’s degree.
“I also researched aquaponics during my undergraduate years at UWSP and as a Graduate Assistant from 2016 to 2018,” she added.
Before coming to Tomahawk, Remington worked as a Program Coordinator for Recycling Connections, a Stevens Point-based nonprofit organization in the solid waste industry. In this role, Remington coordinated and implemented projects, events and outreach while managing a variety of programs within the organization – notably, the Compost Bin Group Purchase Program, which promotes backyard composting and assists with climate and other sustainability goals.
“Organizing workshops and webinars and implementing and evaluating programs to ensure future success was a cornerstone of my work, which is similar to the type of work I’ll be doing with the Community Education Program,” she explained.
Remington noted that she has also taught a variety of high school science classes and has worked with the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education in Stevens Point.
“Previously, I have also managed greenhouses, and always worked public education into my positions,” Remington stated. “As a Native Perennial Greenhouse Manager, I educated the public on various topics regarding native perennials. As a manager of an aquaponics greenhouse, I educated people from all around the globe about a wide variety of topics related to successfully raising fish and growing vegetables year-round using aquaponic methods.”
Remington added that she also has an extensive background in outreach, networking, sales and marketing, which will aid her in promoting the Community Education Program in Tomahawk.
Remington met her significant other, Keith, in 2019 at Treehaven in Tomahawk, where she was presenting her research in aquaponics as the Keynote Speaker for the organization’s Dinner and Speaker Series. The two moved to Tomahawk together in 2020.
New role in Tomahawk
In Dec. 2023, the School District of Tomahawk Board of Education approved Remington’s hire as the district’s Community Education Program Coordinator, a newly-created position.
In the role, Remington said she will develop and manage a comprehensive, multi-dimensional community education program that serves the residents within the School District of Tomahawk.
“I will be recruiting instructors and managing the logistics of programs, including planning and organizing, implementation, marketing and promotion and evaluation of programs,” Remington explained. “Programs developed will continually change and will be lifelong learning opportunities determined by community needs and interests. Cultivating relationships with all relevant community stakeholders will ensure collaborative programming.”
Looking forward, Remington said her goal is to “enrich the community by creating programs that engage our district’s residents to broaden their horizons, find a creative outlet, enrich their routine activities, create new connections, challenge themselves and explore new interests and skills,” noting that she is aiming to offer a wide variety of classes so there is something for everyone in the community.
“Community input and diverse points of view are encouraged to ensure the success of this program,” Remington stated. “I will work hard to continuously improve community education opportunities to best serve the community and foster a sense of belonging and connection.”
In her free time, Remington enjoys spending time in nature, crafting and music.
“I have a dog named Chewy and enjoy caring for my garden, houseplants, chickens and fish,” she said. “I care a lot about local food, nutrition and sustainability, and I have a passion for trying new things and growing through lifelong learning opportunities.”
Community Interest Survey
The district is currently offering a Community Interest Survey, allowing for the opportunity to provide input on shaping programming to fit the needs and interests of the community.
Remington said interested parents, community members, businesses, organizations, agencies and other professionals are encouraged to share their skills and expertise through the survey or by contacting her at [email protected].
To take the survey, visit the Community Education page on the district’s website at www.tomahawk.k12.wi.us/community/community-education-program.cfm and click the Hatchet logo at the top of the page.