Has a GPS ever rerouted your path because you went the wrong way? The same can be said for Taylor Zeisloft’s journey to being the new chemistry teacher at Plant High School. Beginning in the accounting world, he attempted business before going into teaching. In fact, ever since he was in the first grade, Zeisloft knew he wanted to be an educator. And ever since ninth grade, he knew Plant was a path to greatness.
His freshman year in 2010, Zeisloft’s high school had an away football game against Plant, televised by ESPN. After some urging from his friends, he decided to go, allured by the idea of being on national television. He searched up Plant’s U.S. News Ranking, and Zeisloft saw the “excellence” of the school. “I respected [Plant], I remember, from that point on,” Zeisloft said.
After graduating from high school, Zeisloft attended the University of Florida, first majoring in finance before switching to accounting. Regardless of not liking the degree as he was studying for it, Zeisloft graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. “I think I wanted to be successful in the eyes of the world and make as much money as possible,” Zeisloft said.
As a postgraduate, Zeisloft worked in an accounting firm in Tampa, where he felt the work was “super uninspiring” and that he “wasn’t making an impact on the world.” As a result, Zeisloft turned to business for the spark that was missing in the financial sphere.
Amid this career recalibration, Zeisloft circled back to Plant, a place he never forgot from his childhood. After hearing there was a two-month substitute teacher position, Zeisloft agreed to return as a math teacher. “It was, like, the best job I’ve ever done. It was just really cool to be in the classroom with…30 of the most special people I’d ever met,” Zeisloft said.
After rediscovering his love for teaching, and the impact he can make upon future generations as an educator, Zeisloft taught at Newsome High School in early 2024 before becoming a permanent member of the Plant community as the full-time chemistry teacher for the 2024-25 school year. He is currently earning his teaching certification while working at Plant.
The community of a school is an important aspect of both student and teacher life. Zeisloft further describes why he believes Plant’s community is special. “Plant’s unique because it has multi-generational families who have gone here…just to be part of the legacy is an honor and just so gratifying,” Zeisloft said.
Zeisloft’s contributions to school’s extracurriculars include sponsoring the Healthy Habits club. In time, he would also like to be a sponsor for the student council.
Zeisloft’s journey from an “uninspiring” accounting job to business, to finding lost passion in teaching young generations of students remains a lesson in one’s inevitable pursuit of their calling, despite outside advice urging otherwise.