Deborah L. Taylor

Deborah Taylor's research interests are literacy (particularly multicultural children's literature), pedagogical and learning implications of diversity and gender, developing effective teachers in K-12 settings, and the spiritual formation of teachers. Deborah comes to Biola with a wide range of educational experiences in her background. After homeschooling her children for three years, she went on to spend 14 years at Trinity Christian School in a variety of roles including K-8 classroom instruction, K-8 vice principal and, eventually, K-8 principal. Currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Education at Claremont Graduate University, Deborah has published devotional articles in three books by Starburst Publishers, and co-authored Steps to Writing Success, Level III (2002) with Dr. June Hetzel. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Deborah serves as the director of teacher education for the School of Education.

Affiliations

• ACSI-Association of Christian Schools International
• AERA-American Educational Research Association
• ASCD-Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
• CASCD-California Chapter, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
• IRA-International Reading Association

Awards and Honors

• Nomination for Who's Who Among American Teachers, 2004
• Selected to attend Project Zero & MI Theory, Harvard Graduate School of Education Conference, representing Southern California with 300 other educators from 47 states and 38 countries, Summer 2003
• Selected by faculty to be class speaker at Biola University MAED graduation dinner, May 2001
• Biola University, Summa cum Laude, 2001
• Academic Fellowship granted by Claremont Graduate University to cover 30% of all tuition and fees for full doctoral program, 2001- present
• Scholarship granted by Freedom's Foundation for a summer teacher education historical program touring East Coast American Revolutionary War cities, Summer 1996
• Biola University, Magna Cum Laude, 1994
• Who's Who Among American College Students, 1994

Publications

Books

• “Primary Writing: Steps to Success, Level Two.” with Hetzel, J., Creative Teaching Press Inc.: Huntington Beach, California, 2002.
• “Primary Writing: Steps to Success, Level Three.” with Hetzel, J. & McIntire, Creative Teaching Press Inc.: Huntington Beach, California, 2002.

Articles

• “How the Accelerated Reader Program Can Be Counterproductive for High School students”.” with Thompson, G. & Madhuri, M. Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, Vol. 15, in press, 2007.
• “Helping Boys Succeed.” with Lorimer, M., Educational Leadership, Vol. 60, No. 4. Pp. 68-70.
• “An Ordinary Man with an Extraordinary Cause.” with Hetzel, J., Crusade for Life, Vol 15, No. 4, 2002.
• “Don Smith and His Contribution to the Pro-life Movement.” with Hetzel, J., Finn and Associates: Pasadena, California, 2001.
• “Unexpected Joy.” in A Growing Heart: Stories, Lessons, and Exercises Inspired by Proverbs, ed. Kathy Collard Miller, Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Starburst Publishers, 2001.
• “God's Treasure Hunt.” in Treasures of a Woman's Heart: A Daybook of Stories and Inspiration, ed. Lynn D. Morrissey, Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Starburst Publishers, 2000.
• “Approaching the Throne.” in More God's Abundance: Joyful Devotions for Every Season, ed. by Kathy Collard Miller, Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Starburst Publishers, 1999.

Presentations

• Taylor, D. (February 16, 2007). “Diversity in Higher Education.” Discussion Leader. Beyond Valuing Diversity Symposium: Whittier, California.
• Taylor, D. (November 21, 2005). “Strategies that Help Boys Succeed in School.” Association of Christian Schools International Regional Conference: Anaheim, California.
• Taylor, D. (November 22, 2004). “Using Technology to Support Reading Instruction: Effective Ideas and Strategies.” Association of Christian Schools International Regional Conference: Anaheim, California.
• Taylor, D. (March 15, 2004). “Helping Students Succeed: Brain-based Learning and Differentiation Strategies.” Keynote speaker, Faculty Development Day at Heart of the Valley Christian School, Reseda, California.
• Taylor, D. & Lorimer, M. (March 20, 2004). “Bridging the Gender Achievement Gap Through Diverse Teaching Strategies.” Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development National Conference: New Orleans, Louisiana.
• Taylor, D. & Lorimer, M. (November 8, 2003). “Research-based Strategies that Support Boys’ Success.” National Middle School Conference: Atlanta, Georgia.
• Taylor, D. & Lorimer, M. (November 25, 2002). “Intervention Strategies for Reversing Declining Achievement Among Boys.” Association of Christian Schools International Regional Conference: Anaheim, California.
• Hetzel, J. and Taylor, D. (Nov. 2, 2000). “Literacy in Grades 4-8: Raising the Standards.” Association of Christian Schools International Regional Conference: Anaheim, California.