Teachers

I am Mrs. Buck, the music teacher here at Taylorsville Elementary. I am a lifelong music lover. In fact, I started playing the viola in 5th grade, and never stopped. I currently play with the Murray Symphony. I studied music at SLCC and the U of U. I obtained a bachelor's and master's degree in Elementary Education from Western Governors University. I taught 5th grade for five years. This is my sixth year teaching elementary music. In my spare time, I enjoy doing photography with my husband, making jewelry, reading, and spoiling our eight (yes, EIGHT) cats.

This is my second year at Taylorsville and I just love it! I love to read and I want to share that passion with everyone! I love to see when it clicks for kids. When I am not at school, I love spending time with my three sons and husband, going to U football games, and watching Star Wars or Harry Potter. I am married to a CPA and a mom to three boys. My oldest is going to law school in Boston, my middle just got home from Chile, and my baby is serving an LDS mission in Uruguay. 

Jared Smith is a native of Montana, but raised in Taylorsville, Utah. Mr. Smith graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Exercise and Sport Science Pedagogy. He has been teaching Physical Education for the Granite School District since 2011 and currently splits his time as the PE Teacher for Taylorsville and Lake Ridge Elementary schools. He is a three time nominee for the Excel Teacher of the Year, creator of Jedi Training, voted Most Handsome PE Teacher (by kindergarten students) and Best PE Playlist 14 times by his students. He has never lost a foot race to a student, has all the Just Dance patterns memorized and can Chinese Jump Rope through the entire Not Last Night Stanza. During the holidays he can be seen dressed as an elf around the Elementary Schools and at Taylorsville City’s Saturday with Santa. Mr. Smith has been the Taylorsville Parks and Recreation Committee Chair since 2018 and heads up the Taylorsville Dayzz 5k race. He successfully lobbied the Taylorsville City Council for three years and helped to write the grant to get pickleball courts at Taylorsville, Vista and Tank Parks as well as have Millrace Park’s existing courts turned in the correct North-South direction and get fencing placed around the court. He competed in his first statewide Spikeball tournament in 2023 and placed fourth in the Intermediate Division. Although he has never competed, he has coached many elderly ladies on how to play pickleball correctly and has a wicked backspin. On a personal note, his frisbee has traveled the globe to four separate continents where someone will always be willing to toss it around. The first question other teachers ask when a break is coming is, “Where are you going this time?” His many travels have given him the chance to purchase three parcels of land in Scotland and become a Scottish Lord. His preferred pronouns and title are he/him and Lord Smith. When not traveling, Mr. Smith can be seen walking his dog around Vista Park with his hot wife, doing the heavy lifting on a neighbor moving furniture around, building his Star Wars Lego collection, or responding to his fan mail with autographed pictures.

I've been with Granite Preschool Services for 2 1/2 years and I've been at Taylorsville Elementary School for 2 1/2 years. I love seeing the students growth with learning and growing.