C. Grant Taylor
Lexington,SC
Summary
For the past three years, I’ve taught middle school social studies and high school psychology, personal finance, and entrepreneurship—giving me a firsthand look at the challenges educators face every day. Before stepping into the classroom, I worked in new flooring construction and security sales, honing my ability to identify client needs, negotiate deals, and consistently meet targets. By blending these two worlds—education and sales—I’ve developed a unique perspective on how to best serve schools. I understand teachers’ language, empathize with their day-to-day struggles, and know how to present solutions that make a real impact. Now, I’m eager to combine my passion for education with my proven sales background to help schools find the resources they need to support students and staff.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Middle School / High School Teacher
American Leadership Academy
Lexington, SC
08.2023 - Current
- Led the inaugural 7th Grade World Geography course during the school’s first year (2023–2024), applying lessons learned from Dutch Fork Middle School to create a more student-centered and interactive environment.
- Expanded my teaching repertoire in 2024–2025 by leading three Psychology classes and three Personal Finance (first semester) and Entrepreneurship (second semester) courses, developing hands-on projects that offered real-world context and fostered critical thinking.
- Incorporated new instructional technologies and collaborative platforms to enhance student engagement, reflecting my ongoing commitment to refining methods for diverse learners.
- Strengthened cross-curricular connections by collaborating with faculty in other departments, ensuring coursework aligned with broader academic goals and student interests.
- Used data-informed strategies—such as regular assessment checks and reflective feedback loops—to continually adapt and improve instruction, exemplifying my growth mindset from my earlier teaching experiences.
- Cultivated a supportive classroom culture by focusing on social-emotional learning and real-world applications, preparing students for both academic success and practical life skills.
- Assistant Archery Coach
8th Grade Social Studies Teacher
Dutch Fork Middle School
Irmo, SC
08.2022 - 06.2023
- Taught 8th Grade South Carolina and U.S. History to a diverse student population with a high number of 504s and IEPs, honing my ability to adapt lessons and accommodate individual learning needs
- Managed classroom behavior effectively by implementing proactive strategies and consistent communication, ensuring a positive and productive learning environment despite significant challenges
- Collaborated closely with special education staff and guidance counselors to align instruction with student accommodations, strengthening my teamwork and problem-solving skills
- Developed creative lesson plans that engaged reluctant learners, refining my presentation techniques and deepening students’ interest in historical topics
- Consistently evaluated and adjusted teaching methods based on student performance data, fostering resilience and adaptability in a high-pressure setting
Outside Sales Representative
ADS Security
Columbia, SC
04.2021 - 08.2022
- Cold-Call Expertise: Generated nearly all leads independently, employing effective prospecting strategies without the benefit of company advertising.
- Exceeded Sales Quotas: Achieved 150% of quota during the 2nd quarter of 2022, earning President’s Club recognition.
- Award-Winning Performance: Won the Holiday 2021 (4th Quarter) sales bonus contest, outperforming 47 other representatives.
- B2B & Consumer Focus: Secured contracts with both businesses and individual homeowners by customizing security and camera system solutions.
- Relationship Building: Cultivated long-term client partnerships through consistent follow-up, professional consultative selling, and tailored service proposals.
- Technical Product Knowledge: Advised customers on wired vs. wireless setups, demonstrating in-depth understanding of system capabilities and integrations.
- Consultative Approach: Diagnosed client needs, recommended system enhancements, and provided ROI analysis to encourage confident purchasing decisions.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Worked closely with installation teams to ensure seamless deployments and maintain high customer satisfaction.
Stay-at-Home Dad
Taylor Household
Lexington, SC
04.2020 - 04.2021
- While spouse worked full time as a pharmacist, was stay-at-home parent to three children as they learned with virtual school for a year and a half.
- Managed two boys (aged 7 and 9) and a toddler girl (3) from the hours of 7:30am to 8:00pm, was in charge of the day-to-day operation of the family.
- Sat through online lessons, cleaned the home, prepared meals, dressed and bathed kids, while patiently waiting for wife to come home.
- Not as easy as it sounds.
Executive Assistant/Estimations/B2B Sales
Builders Wholesale Flooring
Columbia , SC
09.2009 - 04.2020
- Managed Estimations/Take-Offs: Calculated precise material needs for high-volume new construction projects, ensuring cost-effective solutions and reliable order fulfillment.
- Executive Assistant Role: Streamlined administrative processes for senior leadership, optimizing scheduling, travel, and project coordination.
- B2B Sales Transition: Drove revenue growth in both the Columbia, SC, and Greenville, SC branches by forging and nurturing strong builder relationships.
- Exceeded Sales Targets: Surpassed quarterly goals by 20% regularly, boosting market share through strategic partnerships with major construction companies.
- Negotiated Favorable Supplier Terms: Reduced material costs to maintain competitive pricing, enhancing client satisfaction and loyalty.
- Multi-Department Collaboration: Coordinated efforts between estimation, sales, and installation teams to deliver seamless project execution.
- Operational Improvements: Contributed to refining company procedures to improve efficiency, productivity, and overall customer satisfaction.
- Demonstrated Adaptability: Successfully progressed across various roles, showcasing broad industry expertise and a commitment to professional growth.
Video Editor/Audio Engineer
Digital Media Classifieds
Columbia, SC
12.2006 - 09.2009
- Edited and engineered online job classified ads from concept to final product, ensuring high-quality visuals and audio that appealed to target audiences.
- Utilized industry-standard software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects, Final Cut Pro, and Pro Tools to create polished video segments and soundtracks.
- Collaborated with creative directors and marketing teams to maintain brand consistency and deliver engaging, on-brand content.
- Implemented efficient project workflows, managing multiple deadlines while maintaining attention to detail and production quality.
- Adapted quickly to evolving client needs and emerging technologies, further refining editing skills and technical expertise over the course of the role.
Education
PACE Certification - Secondary Social Studies
South Carolina Department of Education
Columbia, SC12-2022
License - Real Estate
Real Estate School For Success
Columbia, SC09.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Media Arts/Anthropology
University of South Carolina - Columbia
Columbia, SC05.2006
Skills
- Presentation and Public Speaking
- Leadership and Relationship Building
- Adaptability and Problem Solving
- Goal Driven and Results Oriented
- Analytical Skills
- CRM and Data Management
- Collaboration and Teamwork
- Curriculum and Industry Knowledge
- Negotiation and Deal-Closing
- Needs Analysis and Consultation
Timeline
Middle School / High School Teacher
American Leadership Academy
08.2023 - Current
8th Grade Social Studies Teacher
Dutch Fork Middle School
08.2022 - 06.2023
Outside Sales Representative
ADS Security
04.2021 - 08.2022
Stay-at-Home Dad
Taylor Household
04.2020 - 04.2021
Executive Assistant/Estimations/B2B Sales
Builders Wholesale Flooring
09.2009 - 04.2020
Video Editor/Audio Engineer
Digital Media Classifieds
12.2006 - 09.2009
PACE Certification - Secondary Social Studies
South Carolina Department of Education
License - Real Estate
Real Estate School For Success
Bachelor of Arts - Media Arts/Anthropology
University of South Carolina - Columbia
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