SIDNEY -- Taylor Hagemeyer considers herself a writer, a passion she has had much of her life. She is also an elementary school teacher. 

Lately, the two passions are finding common ground.

"I am a Pre-K teacher here at Sidney Public Schools, and I am also a children's book author. I recently published a new children's book called 'Things that Rhyme with Type 1 Diabetes,' because I have Type 1 Diabetes," Hagemeyer said recently. 

She said she wrote the book as a "friendly resource" for others who have Type 1 Diabetes or knows someone who does. Two years ago, she published a similar book: "Things that Rhyme With Autism." She said she taught in small Nebraska communities and many students are illustrated in her book. Her book on Type 1 Diabetes is her story. She worked with the same illustrator with both books. She said the illustrator, Adriana Velasquez, her brother has an autism diagnosis and he is illustrated in the book. 

The two careers meshed as she recognized her love for writing, for children's books, and for teaching children.

"I have felt like I've always been a writer my whole life. If anyone had every asked me what I wanted to do with my life I would have said 'be a writer.' Then, as I grew up I would have laughed and said that I need health insurance. I have also always loved kids so I went into education, but I have loved children's books my entire life. I have an extensive collection at home. I love to read them to my kids. My mom really just instilled the love of reading to me, especially with children's books," she said.

She said she is also very good at rhyming, which made writing children's books even more exciting.