At INSPIRE, we believe that every child is a capable, creative, and competent individual who deserves opportunities for love, learning, joy, and exploration.
Our Story and Growth
Taylor Etchemendy, the founder of INSPIRE, launched INSPIRE after returning to her hometown of Taos in 2011, she recognized a critical need for high-quality early childhood education that embraced the linguistic and cultural diversity of the area. From its humble beginnings in 2012, serving just 25 children, INSPIRE has grown to be a vibrant, thriving community.
Today, our program has expanded to include four locations: two in Taos, one in Arroyo Seco, and one in Red River, along with IMAGINE, a children’s museum in Taos. Currently, we serve approximately 150 children during the early childhood program day, with an additional 100 children participating in our out-of-school time and summer programs.
We’re especially proud of our commitment to growing our teaching staff from within the community. Over 80% of our current teachers were once parents in our program, inspired to become educators by the positive experiences their own children had at INSPIRE. This unique model of teacher development strengthens our connection to the community and ensures that our team shares a deep understanding of the values and culture of the families we serve.
In addition to our focus on early childhood education, INSPIRE operates a food program that prepares and serves around 900 meals each day, providing nutritious meals for children across our programs and others in the Taos community. We believe that healthy bodies support healthy minds, and we are dedicated to nourishing our students in every sense of the word.
Our Approach to Learning
We use open-ended, natural materials that invite exploration and encourage children to express themselves in multiple ways—what is called “the hundred languages of children.” Our spaces offer children the opportunity to engage with art, science, and construction, allowing them to experiment, create, and develop their ideas in ways that feel authentic and meaningful to them.
Our bilingual curriculum is another cornerstone of our program, reflecting the cultural and linguistic diversity of the Taos community. We recognize the profound importance of language in shaping a child’s identity and worldview, and we strive to provide rich, immersive experiences in both Spanish and English. By fostering bilingualism, we not only support cognitive development but also help children build bridges between cultures and strengthen their connections to their families and community.
We invite you to learn more about INSPIRE by visiting our center, where you can see firsthand how our approach to early childhood education nurtures and empowers the youngest citizens of our community. We look forward to partnering with you in your child’s learning journey and creating a space where they can grow, thrive, and feel truly valued.