Today we’d like to introduce you to Chemise Taylor.
Hi Chemise, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story begins in Detroit, Michigan, where I was raised by a supportive community that instilled in me the values of hard work, perseverance, and pride in what you do. Detroit has a strong blue-collar spirit, and those lessons have stayed with me throughout my life and career.
My journey into supporting children with special needs started with a simple question: How can we provide the best possible care and support to children who need it most? That question led me into the field in 2012, and I quickly discovered a passion for helping children overcome challenges and reach their full potential.
As both a special educator and behavior analyst, I saw firsthand the amount of time teachers spend creating and adapting materials to meet the unique needs of their students. In 2016, I began developing special education resources to help educators save time and better support children with autism and other developmental disabilities. I wanted teachers to spend less time creating materials after hours and more time focusing on instruction, relationships, and meaningful learning experiences. Those resources eventually became part of my nonprofit organization, Educate Learners, which has supported special educators for nearly a decade.
In 2018, I took another step forward and founded Autism Learners, a private practice dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate services for children with autism and related disabilities. From the beginning, our mission has been to create meaningful change in the lives of the families we serve. One of the greatest blessings throughout this journey has been working alongside dedicated team members who share a commitment to professionalism, dignity, and genuine care for every child. Even today, I remain actively involved in providing services and working directly with clients. Watching children develop communication skills, improve social engagement, gain independence, and overcome significant behavioral challenges continues to be one of the most rewarding parts of my career.
In 2019, another opportunity emerged when I began collaborating with an artist on a separate project. As we worked together, I realized there was a need for engaging, accessible books that teach essential life skills to children, especially those with special needs. That realization led to the creation of My Skills Books, a series focused on adaptive functioning and daily living skills such as brushing teeth, toileting, asking for help, and other foundational life skills. Each book was designed to be accessible to children with emerging reading abilities while providing practical tools that families can use every day.
Over time, My Skills Books expanded beyond printed books into an online platform that includes daily living skill trackers, progress monitoring tools, and assessment resources for parents, educators, and professionals. Many of these tools are built around STAGES, an assessment framework that helps identify a child’s strengths and areas for growth across seven key developmental domains.
When I look back on my journey, there is a common thread connecting everything I’ve built—from Educate Learners to Autism Learners to My Skills Books. Every project started with the same questions: “How can I help?” and “Who would benefit from this?” Those questions continue to guide my work today, and I’m excited to keep creating resources and services that help children, families, and educators thrive.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a completely smooth road, but I think that’s true for most worthwhile journeys. Some challenges were expected, while others were things no one could have fully prepared me for.
My first job was at 13 years old, working in an administrative role at my local community center. That experience taught me a great deal about professionalism, responsibility, and working with people from different backgrounds. Those lessons would prove valuable later in life as I built organizations and managed teams.
Interestingly, I originally envisioned a career in computer science after college. Over time, however, I realized I wanted to spend my career doing work that made a meaningful difference in someone’s life. I wanted to wake up each day feeling connected to a purpose larger than myself. That realization led me into the field of supporting children with special needs, and I’ve never looked back.
One of the most significant challenges came shortly after launching my private practice. Less than two years after opening Autism Learners, the world was confronted with the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many business owners, I suddenly found myself navigating unprecedented circumstances. The challenge was especially complex because our services are highly personal and relationship-driven, often requiring in-person interaction to be most effective.
We had to quickly adapt to changing health guidelines, new service delivery models, and the uncertainty that families and staff were experiencing. Looking back, what helped us most was the dedication and flexibility of our team. We worked together, remained focused on the needs of our clients, and found ways to continue providing support during a very difficult time.
The years following the pandemic have brought their own challenges. Many aspects of business, education, and healthcare have evolved. Expectations have shifted, workforce dynamics have changed, and organizations must continually adapt to new realities. One lesson I’ve learned is that success is not about avoiding challenges—it’s about remaining flexible, continuing to learn, and being willing to adjust when circumstances change.
Throughout every challenge, I have been fortunate to have a strong support system. My family, colleagues, mentors, and friends have helped me maintain perspective during difficult times. Their encouragement has reminded me that while obstacles are inevitable, they are also opportunities for growth. Every challenge I’ve faced has strengthened my commitment to the work I do and the families I have the privilege of serving.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At the heart of everything I do is a simple mission: creating practical, meaningful solutions that help children with special needs, their families, and the professionals who support them. That mission is reflected across Autism Learners, Educate Learners, and My Skills Books, each of which was developed to address a different need within the special needs community.
Autism Learners is a private practice dedicated to providing high-quality, individualized services for children with autism and related developmental disabilities. We specialize in helping children improve communication, social engagement, adaptive functioning, and behavior management skills. What sets us apart is our commitment to providing compassionate, personalized care while maintaining a strong focus on measurable outcomes. We believe every child deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and we work closely with families to ensure progress extends beyond our sessions and into the home, school, and community environments.
Educate Learners was created to support educators, therapists, and parents by providing practical resources that can be used immediately. Over the years, it has grown into a trusted source for special education materials, lesson supports, visual resources, assessments, and classroom tools. Our goal is to reduce the time professionals spend creating materials from scratch so they can focus more on teaching, supporting, and connecting with the children they serve.
My Skills Books was developed to address another important need: accessible instruction in adaptive functioning and daily living skills. The book series teaches foundational life skills such as personal hygiene, toileting, communication, safety awareness, and self-care through engaging, easy-to-understand stories designed for children with emerging reading skills and developmental differences. What began as a collection of books has expanded into a broader platform that includes skill trackers, progress monitoring tools, assessments, and resources that help families support learning beyond the pages of the books.
One of the things I am most proud of is that each of these companies was created in response to a real need. None of them were developed simply to create another product or service. They were created because families, educators, and professionals needed practical tools that were often difficult to find. Every resource, service, and program has been built around the question, “How can we make life a little easier and outcomes a little better for the people we serve?”
If there is one thing I would want readers to know, it is that our work extends far beyond teaching skills. Whether through Autism Learners, Educate Learners, or My Skills Books, our goal is to help children build greater independence, confidence, and opportunities for success. I believe that meaningful progress happens when families, educators, and service providers have access to the right support, and I am committed to creating resources and services that make that possible.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned throughout my journey is not to hold on to regret. Every experience—whether positive or challenging—has taught me something valuable and helped prepare me for the next stage of life. Looking back, many of the obstacles I faced ended up providing lessons that made future challenges easier to navigate.
I’ve also learned the importance of appreciating the life you have while actively investing in the things that matter most. For me, that means building strong relationships with people I love and trust, focusing my energy on meaningful work, and being intentional about the influences I allow into my life. It’s easy to become distracted by negativity, comparison, or things that pull us away from our goals, but I’ve found that life becomes much more fulfilling when you focus on what is good, productive, and meaningful.
Another lesson that has been incredibly important is learning to trust yourself. There will always be uncertainty, difficult decisions, and moments when the path forward isn’t completely clear. Having confidence in your values, your experiences, and your ability to adapt is essential.
Finally, I’ve learned that the people you surround yourself with matter tremendously. Having family, friends, mentors, and colleagues who genuinely want to see you succeed can make all the difference. The right support system provides encouragement during difficult times, perspective when challenges arise, and motivation to continue growing.
At the end of the day, success is not just about professional accomplishments. It’s about living a meaningful life, continuing to learn from every experience, and surrounding yourself with people who help bring out the best in you.
Pricing:
- Educate Learners Subscription ($1.00/month)
- I Can Brush My Teeth ($9.99 at myskillsbooks.com)
- I Can Ask For Help ($9.99 at myskillsbooks.com)
- I Can Wash My Hands ($9.99 at myskillsbooks.com)
- STAGES | Assessment and Curriculum Tool ($79.99)
Contact Info:
- Website: autismlearners.com, educatelearners.com, myskillsbooks.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/educate_learners/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/educatelearners/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@educatelearners
