Amy Taylor, a Democrat and 16-year Texas public school teacher, is running for the State Board of Education District 14 seat in the 2026 general election. She faces Republican Mindy Bumgarner.

Taylor said she has taught in Texas public school classrooms for 16 years, mostly teaching gifted learners and English language learners in a Title I school, according to her campaign website.

Candidate information

  • Party: Democratic
  • Office sought: Texas State Board of Education, District 14
  • Election date: Nov. 3, 2026
  • Education: Bachelor's degree, Kalamazoo College, 1993; master's degree, University of Houston, 1995; post-baccalaureate teaching certificate, University of North Texas, 2012
  • Ballot status: Certified for the ballot

Experience and public service

Taylor's professional background is in public school education, according to BallotReady. Her focus has been gifted learners and English language learners, she said.

She earned her teaching certificate from the University of North Texas in 2012 after completing undergraduate and graduate degrees at Kalamazoo College and the University of Houston, according to Ballotpedia.

On the issues

Taylor provided responses on several education topics through her campaign website and Ballotpedia. The positions below reflect her stated views.

Curriculum: Taylor said Texas classrooms should be grounded in accurate history and real science, not a politically curated reading list. She called for curriculum written by educators and built around student learning, along with rigorous, differentiated and non-religious textbooks and materials.

Testing: Taylor said she supports fewer high-stakes tests deciding a child's future. She called for a reevaluation of end-of-course exams for graduation.

Education funding: Taylor said public school funding should go to public school students.

Teacher retention: Taylor said she wants teaching to remain a sustainable career and supports standards reflecting classroom demands. Educator certification standards are established by the separate State Board for Educator Certification. Changes to teacher pay and school appropriations also require legislative and local action.

Education policy: Taylor said education decisions should be made by real experts, not the Heritage Foundation.

Sources: Public campaign materials, published candidate profiles and the public records linked above. Policy statements are attributed to the candidate; funding or implementation details are included where available.

The Flower Mound Times did not receive a direct questionnaire response from the candidate and does not endorse candidates.