Crystal Taylor

Crystal Taylor is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology within the College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University, specializing in evidence-based approaches to school mental health and educator support.

Her academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. in School Psychology (2019), University of Missouri–Columbia
• M.A. in School Psychology (2016), University of Missouri–Columbia
• B.A. in Psychology (2011), University of North Carolina–Greensboro

Dr. Taylor's research program addresses critical gaps in universal screening for social-emotional and behavioral risks, with particular emphasis on implementation barriers in elementary schools. She investigates how teacher stress and burnout impact classroom effectiveness, develops social-emotional learning integration strategies (including innovative applications in mathematics instruction), and creates practical classroom management interventions. Her work bridges research and practice through direct school partnerships.

Analysis of her 2019-2023 publications reveals increasing attention to teacher well-being as a foundational element of student success, alongside consistent focus on universal screening systems. Her research demonstrates practical translation of psychological science into classroom applications, with growing emphasis on telehealth-supported teacher mentorship and the co-occurrence of academic/behavioral risks.

• Mentorship: Actively advises graduate students with multiple co-authorship opportunities
• Research Impact: Publications inform school mental health practices nationally
• Current Focus: Teacher stress reduction and telehealth classroom support systems

Dr. Taylor leads a dynamic research group collaborating with K-12 schools to implement and evaluate evidence-based practices, particularly focusing on scalable interventions for classroom management and teacher development through novel mentorship approaches.