Matthew Layton currently serves as the Academic Director of Special
Education for Baltimore City Public Schools, the 35th largest school
system in the country. Layton leads the Student Learning Support
Division which includes a team of 4 coordinators, 18 educational
specialists, and 11 special education liaisons as well as manages a
multi-million dollar operating budget inclusive of state and federal
grants. He is responsible for the creation, implementation, and
oversight of various programs and supports which focus on
specialized services, assessment and achievement, inclusive practices
and co-teaching, and secondary transition services for approximately
13,000 students with disabilities. Layton oversees the development
and delivery of district professional learning and training for teachers
and school administrators.
While in Baltimore, Layton has lead the development of the district’s
multi-tiered systems of support framework, commonly known as RtI. In
addition to his current role, he serves as a member of the School
Effectiveness Review Team, an internal function of the district which
evaluates school programming and effectiveness for the district’s 188
schools. Layton also represents the Academic Office on the Charter
Advisory Board.
Previously, Layton served as the Coordinator of Inclusive Education for the district where he planned, developed
and implemented special education inclusion services to ensure the appropriate delivery of special education and
related services across district schools. Prior to joining the Special Education department, he served as a Special
Education Liaison for Baltimore City’s 31 charter schools. In this role he provided technical, administrative, and
instructional support in the implementation of programs and services to ensure the appropriate delivery of special
education and related services.
Layton’s teaching career was devoted to elementary and middle grades education in both traditional and charter
schools in Baltimore City, Chicago Public Schools, and Prince George’s County Public Schools of Maryland, an urban
district located outside of Washington, DC. His school based experiences included serving as both a special and
general educator, IEP chair, reading department chair, instructional coach, school improvement chair, and reading
specialist.
In addition to his teaching and administrative experience, Layton served as both a Resident Advisor and Content
Seminar Instructor for first year, alternatively certified teachers with the Baltimore City Teacher Residency program,
a partnership with the New Teacher Project of which he is an alumnus. Prior to his career in education, Layton had
a 10-year career in management and administration.
Layton holds an Advanced Professional Certificate from the Maryland State Department of Education with various
endorsements including: School Administration, Elementary Education, Middle Grades Education (English,
Mathematics, and Science), Reading Specialist, Special Education Teacher and Supervisor, and Superintendent.
Layton holds a Professional Educator License from the Illinois State Board of Education in Elementary Education and
General Administration. He earned his B.S. in Organizational Management from Washington Adventist University
in Takoma Park, Maryland and holds a M.A. in Special Education and an Advanced Studies/Educational Specialist
degree in Instructional Leadership with a focus in School Administration and Literacy from Notre Dame of Maryland
University in Baltimore, Maryland.
Layton is a progressive educator and administrator dedicated to reforming public education by supporting and
developing teacher and school leadership capacity in order to strengthen school partnerships and ultimately
improve student outcomes. Layton unequivocally believes all children can achieve, the key is a dedicated school
staff vested in educating and developing the whole child.