Karen Taylor joined the St. Louis regional Pre-Employment Transition team in March of 2022.  Prior to her current role, she served as the Program Coordinator at the University of Child Development Center Laboratory School at UM-St. Louis for 10 years.  During that time, Karen worked with practicum students enrolled in UMSL’s post-secondary transition and vocational program, serving as mentor, coach, and supervisor.  She also managed the pre-service, early childhood undergraduate teachers.  Karen is skilled at establishing relationships with students, partners, families, and community organizations.  She has a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, a Graduate Certificate in Autism Studies, and a Graduate Certificate in Character Education/Leadership.  Karen loves to spend time in the outdoors with her husband and four children.

Karen serves the following school districts:  DYS (Missouri Hills); Hawthorn Leadership School; Hazelwood (Central, East, Opportunity Center, West); Jennings and Jennings Educational Training Center; Lakeside School @ Marygrove DYS; Mark Twain Restoration & Re-Entry Center; McCluer and STEAM Academy and McCluer North; MET Center; Northview; Riverview; Riverview Gardens Alternative; Soldan; Sumner; Sumner Fresh Start; and Vashon.