Putnam County Assistant Principal Honored as 2025-26 State's Best

Belinda Taylor of Crescent City Junior-Senior High School recognized for her leadership and support of exceptional students.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 6:15pm

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An abstract, out-of-focus photograph in warm, muted tones depicting a group of high school students conversing in a hallway, with blurred silhouettes of teachers and administrators in the background, conveying the collaborative and supportive atmosphere of the school.Crescent City Junior-Senior High School's vibrant community of students and educators, where academic excellence and college readiness are the norm.Crescent City Today

In this episode of The Pulse podcast, host Rick Surrency sits down with Belinda Taylor, the Assistant Principal of the Year for Putnam County, Florida. Taylor is joined by four exceptional seniors from Crescent City Junior-Senior High who are already earning college credits, Cambridge diplomas, and planning bright futures in healthcare, engineering, and more.

Why it matters

The recognition of Belinda Taylor as Assistant Principal of the Year highlights the important role administrators play in supporting and empowering high-achieving students, especially in smaller, rural school districts like Putnam County. Taylor's leadership has helped foster a culture of academic excellence and college readiness at Crescent City Junior-Senior High.

The details

The Pulse podcast episode features an in-depth conversation with Belinda Taylor, who has served as the Assistant Principal at Crescent City Junior-Senior High for the past seven years. During her tenure, Taylor has implemented programs to help students earn college credits and advanced diplomas while still in high school, putting them on a fast track to higher education and career success.

  • Belinda Taylor was named the 2025-26 Assistant Principal of the Year for Putnam County, Florida.
  • The Pulse podcast episode featuring Taylor and her students was recorded and published on April 15, 2026.

The players

Belinda Taylor

The Assistant Principal of the Year for Putnam County, Florida, who has led initiatives to help students at Crescent City Junior-Senior High earn college credits and advanced diplomas.

Rick Surrency

The host of The Pulse podcast, which featured an episode highlighting Belinda Taylor and her exceptional students.

Crescent City Junior-Senior High School

The school where Belinda Taylor serves as Assistant Principal and where the featured students are excelling academically.

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What they’re saying

“Belinda Taylor has been an incredible leader and advocate for our students. Her passion for helping them achieve their full potential is truly inspiring.”

— Rick Surrency, Host, The Pulse Podcast

“Thanks to the support and opportunities provided by Ms. Taylor and our school, I'm already earning college credits and on track to graduate with a Cambridge diploma. I'm excited to pursue my dream of becoming a biomedical engineer.”

— Emily Gonzalez, Senior, Crescent City Junior-Senior High School

What’s next

The Pulse podcast episode featuring Belinda Taylor and her students at Crescent City Junior-Senior High is available to stream on all major podcast platforms.

The takeaway

Belinda Taylor's recognition as Assistant Principal of the Year showcases the vital role administrators play in fostering academic excellence, especially in smaller, underserved school districts. Her leadership has empowered students at Crescent City Junior-Senior High to achieve remarkable academic success and put them on a path to bright futures.