Karen Taylor joined the St. Louis regional Pre-Employment Transition team in March 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 ten 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 Life Skills classrooms in the following school districts:  Hazelwood (Central, East, and West); Herculaneum; Jennings; McCluer; McCluer North; Southview; and Vashon (STL City).