I am Dr. Alan J. Taylor, Ed.D., I received my doctorate degree in Educational Leadership with a specialization in technology. Over the past 25 + years, I served a variety of roles.
I started my career in the field of psychology. I received my BA in Psychology from Stockton College (now known as Stockton University). I then received my Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology from Lesley College (now known as Lesley University). My career in the field was spent as a manager of an emergency shelter for adolescents, a therapist, and a case worker for adolescents and developmentally disabled adults.
As I worked with the developmentally disabled, I began to see the influence of technology assisting with communications. I was getting certified as a school psychologist in California, when I began to get more interested in technology. I was also feeling that I didn't want to spend my days testing students. At that time, I decided to leave the field and start a new career in technology. I took a position in technical support for a software company (Research Information Systems) that specialized in software for researchers (Reference Manager). Since I had done a good deal of research in undergraduate and graduate studies, I really appreciated how this software could assist in maintaining a database of references. I quickly moved from their technical department to becoming their director of international sales. This opportunity allowed me to travel the world working with software dealers and conducting training for these vendors. Upon my return from a trip to Japan, I received word that the company had been sold to a company (ISS, a part of Thomas Publishing) in Philadelphia. I was transferred to Philadelphia to be a part of the transition team between the two companies.
After working for a small startup company to moving to a large company I began to get restless. At this time, my 3 year old son got me interested in working with children again. I thought, "how can I combine my interest in technology and working with children?" I went back and got my teacher certification in New Jersey. I started as a computer teacher, then moved to being a technology coordinator, and then returned to the classroom as a social studies teacher. I also served as an educational consultant, trainer, and adjunct professor. In this time, I have presented at over 25 conferences around the country regarding education and educational technology.