Dr. Matthew Taylor

Areas of Expertise

• Early childhood, elementary education, intellectual disabilities, literacy, STEM with students with disabilities

Education

• B.S. in early childhood education, Gordon College (2006)
• M.Ed. in reading, Salem State University (2010)
• Ph.D. in education, University of Central Florida (2017)

View My CV

What's My Why?

My goal has always been to provide personalized education that reaches our most vulnerable populations. Students with special needs hold a special place in my heart, and I am passionate about mentoring future teachers to ensure a brighter future for all learners. My research drives these efforts further by exploring innovative technologies and creating inclusive opportunities for students with disabilities, particularly in areas where they are often overlooked.

Professional Experience

I began my teaching career in 2006, working with K-2 students with cognitive disabilities in special education, later becoming a full-day inclusion kindergarten teacher. In 2014, I pursued a Ph.D. at the University of Central Florida, focusing on young students with intellectual disabilities, technology and STEM. After graduation, I helped establish an elementary school for students with chronic illnesses at Nemours Children's Hospital. I now work as a co-PI on an NSF grant for environmental education and consult on AI-driven coding programs for students with autism.

Selected Publications

Randolph, K. M., Riggleman, S., Taylor, M. S., Oh, J. H., & Lohmann, M. (2024). Preparing early elementary preservice teachers to positively support students with challenging behavior. Journal of Special Education Practitioners, 4 (1), 68-67. https://doi.org/10.33043/4baad965

Taylor, M. S., & Glavey, E. M. (2023). Harnessing Robotics and Coding to Foster Social- Emotional Learning in Students with Autism. Journal of Special Education Technology. https://doi.org/10.1177/01626434231199992.

Towson, J., Taylor, M. S., Abarca, D. L., Paul, C., & Ezekiel-Wilder, F. (2020). Virtual simulation and coaching to improve the interprofessional communication skills of speech-language pathology graduate students. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interests Groups, 6 (1), 80-100. https://doi.org/10.1044/2020_PERSP-20-00098

Taylor, M. S. (2018). Computer Programming with Prek-1st grade students with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Special Education, 52(2), 78-88. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022466918761120

Taylor, M. S., Tucker, J., Donehower, C., Pabian, P., Dieker, L. A., Hynes, M. C., & Hughes, C. (2016). Impact of virtual simulation on the interprofessional communication skills of physical therapy students: A pilot study. Journal of Physical Therapy Education, 31(3), 81-90. http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.net.ucf.edu/10.1097/00001416-201731030-00015