Learning is a legacy for Taylar Posey — her mother is a retired school counselor, and her father is former University of Montevallo men’s basketball coach Rob Spivery. With almost 20 years in education under her belt, including 10 years in administration, Posey’s commitment to education is propelling her through her new position as principal of Riverchase Elementary School in Hoover.
“I always knew that I wanted to make a difference and help kids,” she said. “I just knew that I wanted to be able to make an impact and I felt like the best way to do that was to become a teacher.”
Posey grew up in Montevallo, but her family moved to Montgomery for her middle and high school years. Seeking a quality education program, she returned to Montevallo to earn multiple degrees — a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 2006, a Master of Education in Elementary Education in 2011 and a Master of Education in Instructional Leadership and Education Administration in 2013.
“I wanted to go into education, and I knew that Montevallo had a great program,” she said. “But I also just fell in love with the town when I was there as a kid. It is a special place. It’s small, but I was able to create a lot of good relationships. It’s honestly one of my most favorite places in the world.”
Some of Posey’s favorite UM memories came from her time as a Falcons cheerleader and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
“Getting involved definitely helped me feel like I belonged,” she said. “I definitely found some lifelong friends and people that I still keep in touch with today.”
Upon earning her master’s, Posey got her start teaching first and second grade at Valley Elementary School in Pelham, but she really wanted to teach at a higher grade level. She transitioned to teaching sixth-grade math at Thompson Sixth Grade Center in Alabaster.
After seven years of teaching, Posey delved into the administration field as an assistant principal at Meadowview Elementary in Alabaster for four years. She then became an assistant principal at Thompson Middle School for five years. In September 2023, she got a principal position at Brookwood Elementary School in Tuscaloosa County. Wanting a job closer to her home in Calera, she took on the role of principal at Riverchase Elementary School in Hoover in July of this year.
“It is definitely a different level of responsibility, but I have enjoyed getting to know all of the families and the faculty and staff,” she said. “It’s been a blessing.”
Reflecting on her journey from college to career, Posey offers the following advice to current UM students: enjoy it, do your best and get your work done, but also don’t take this time in your life for granted.
“Make as many friends and have as many experiences as you can because there’s no time in your life like being in college,” she said. “I honestly wish I could go back every day.”
