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Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Gail Taylor

Meet Dr. Gail Taylor

Degrees and Experience
  • Ph.D., Curriculum and Instruction with specializations in multicultural/bilingual education and reading (Texas A&M University, College Station)
  • M.S., Elementary Education (Fordham University)
  • B.A., English (Vassar College)
Biography and Professional Achievements

Dr. Gail Taylor is a “teacher’s teacher” with over 30 years of experience in education. She graduated from Vassar College, Fordham University, and Texas A&M University where she received a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction with concentrations in multicultural/bilingual education and reading. While a doctoral student, she participated in the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs Fellowship Program.

As a tenured professor at Old Dominion University, Taylor published two books along with numerous articles and chapters on the academic achievement of diverse learners and multicultural children's literature. Additionally, she taught a study abroad course in Barbados, initiated the African American read-in chain, and received a Fulbright-Hays Summer Fellowship in India where she had an audience with Mother Teresa. Lastly, Taylor was recognized for her effective and innovative approach to distance education when she was given the TELETECHNET Faculty Member of the Year award. A longtime born-again Christian, she is currently reading the entire Bible in a year.

Published Books
  • Taylor, G.S., Hinton, K., Moore, L. & Bristow, M.B.S. (Eds.) (2009). Teaching multicultural literature to help children understand ethnic diversity: Essays and Experiences. Lewiston, NY:Edwin Mellen Press.
  • Taylor, G.S. (Ed.). (2004). The impact of high-stakes testing on the academic futures of nonmainstream students. Lewiston, NY:Edwin Mellen Press.
Self Published Book
  • Taylor, Gail S. & Young, A.A. (2014, June). Expect the Unexpected! A Gift Book of Prayers and Experiences.
Journal Publications
  • Taylor, G.S., Williams, K. & Kamienski, D.P. (2010, Spring). “Laissez les bon temps roulez! Recommended children’s picture books on Southern Louisiana and the Gulf Coast regional cultures.” MultiCultural Review, 21-32.
  • Moore, L.S., Taylor, G.S., & Frazier, W. (2009). “Career choices and decision-making of urban African American female participants of an afterschool science, technically related, engineering, and math (STEM) enrichment program.” The National Journal of Urban Education and Practice, 1(3)249-259.
  • Taylor, G.S. (2005). “Beyond the race gap in education: The status of African American education in South Hampton Roads.” The Journal of Race and Policy, 1(1):62-82.
  • Taylor, G.S. (1999). “Pass it on: The development of African American children’s literature.” Negro Educational Review, 50(1-2), 11-17.
  • Taylor, G.S., Sreenivasan, J. & Toke, Arun N. (1998, December). “Children’s books on India and the Indian Diaspora.” MultiCultural Review, 7(4): 39-50.
  • Taylor, G.S. & Larke, P.J. (1997). “Using student empowerment and culturally relevant teaching theories to analyze the voices of four teachers who participated in the Multicultural Mentorship Project as preservice teachers.” Teacher Educators Journal, 7(2): 1-17.
Research Papers Presented at Professional Meetings
  • Taylor, G.S. (2012, January). “A celebration of multicultural children’s literature: A Workshop.” Hawaii International Conference on Education, Honolulu.
  • Taylor, G.S., Bristow, M. & Moore, L. (2009, November). “And Still We Rise: Empowering students with multicultural literature in the age of educational accountability.” American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, New Orleans, LA
  • Taylor, G.S. & Bristow, M. (2006, April). “High-stakes tests of literacy and African-American students: Problems, programs and possibilities.” American Educational Research Association, San Francisco, CA.
  • Tsai, S., Taylor, G.S. & Lee, G.L. (2005, October). “Comparative study of American-born Chinese and non American-born Chinese students’ language learning motivation, language acquisition, and ethnic identity development in Chinese language schools.” College Reading Association Annual Conference, Savannah, GA.
  • Tsai, S. & Taylor, G. (2005, October). “Heritage language teacher training: Ethnic identity, language acquisition and motivation in the Chinese Language School.” National Association of Multicultural Educators Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA.
  • Taylor, G.S., Bristow, M. & Green, A. (2005, April). “Teaching writing to nonmainstream students in the era of increased academic accountability.” Twenty-Sixth Annual Spring Conference on the Teaching of Writing. Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA.
  • Taylor, G. S. (1996, April). “Reflecting on an urban mentoring program: Case studies of four culturally responsive educators.” American Educational Research Association. New York, New York.
  • Taylor, G. S. (1997, February). “Walking the walk: Culturally responsive teachers and African-American students.” Annual Meeting of the Association of Teacher Educators. Washington, D.C.
Fellowships, Honors and Awards
  • U.S. Department Of Education Office Of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs Fellowship. (Texas A&M University, College Station).
  • Fulbright-Hays Summer Fellowship, Seminars Abroad Program, “Continuity and Change: India on the Threshold of the 21st Century.” (Old Dominion University)
  • Fellows in Teaching Program. (Fordham University)
  • TELETECHNET (Distance Learning) Faculty Member of the Year. (Old Dominion University)
Grants
  • Empower One Educational Fund. Tuition for IVISD Coaching Program. $3,500. (2014)
  • National Endowment for the Arts. The Big Read: Joy Luck Club. $10,000. Co-Principle Investigator. (2009)