Continuing a legacy of service

Dontavius “Dontay” Taylor, central kitchen supervisor in Dallas ISD’s Food and Child Nutrition Services department, carries a rich legacy of feeding young minds and bodies. A proud graduate of Seagoville High School, Taylor is the third generation of his family to work in school food services, a tradition rooted in love and community.

“It all started with my three great aunts, who started with FCNS in the early 70s at John Henry Brown Elementary,” he said. “My mother joined FCNS shortly after in 1986. I joined FCNS in 2005. Seeing these ladies create something out of nothing always inspired me because we didn’t always have much, and seeing them put all the love, sweat, and hard work into creating delicious food only made me dream of the possibilities I could achieve one day.

It was his mother, Jeanne Norman, a Dallas ISD cafeteria manager, who advised him to join the district when he was looking for what to do after leaving college. 

“My mother said, ‘You have so much talent, let’s not waste it,’” Taylor said. “And here I am now.” 

Particularly during the holiday season, Taylor and the FCNS team exemplify their commitment to providing students with a special meal that nourishes students physically and emotionally. 

Before Thanksgiving, all cafeterias in the district served a traditional meal featuring turkey, green bean casserole, salad, and mashed sweet potatoes. 

“For many students, this may be their only chance to enjoy a holiday dinner. We want them to feel like home, like a real treat—full of nutrition, of course, but something that is also fulfilling,” he said. “You notice when you have special meals like this, there is excitement not only among the kids, but also their parents, who can join in with their students. It turns the school environment into a family environment.” 

For Taylor, the most rewarding part of his job is teaching, and he sees his role as more than just a job; it’s a calling rooted in service based on a simple yet powerful leadership philosophy: teach one, reach one.

He remembers being asked to participate in career day by the students when he was a cafeteria supervisor, he said. The students were intrigued about how the cafeteria could feed so many children at one time. 

“I personally believe we are here to serve, no matter the need, big or small,” he said. “Our daily mission is to make sure our students get a healthy, balanced meal. We also want them to enjoy what they eat, understand what they are eating, and the benefits of eating nutritional meals. The most important things to remember when serving our students are: Respect, Kindness, and Love.”