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Celebrating the Towle Family

The Towle family’s journey is a true Knight legacy rooted in education, service, and a deep commitment to UCF. Dawn Towle and Kelly Jennings-Towle have shaped future educators through their work in the School of Teacher Education and the College of Community Innovation and Education, while also earning their own degrees from the program that helped define their careers. Their son, Matthew, continued that tradition—coming to UCF through Seminole State College and DirectConnect to UCF®, completing the internship pathways program, and beginning his career as a social science teacher at Lake Howell High School. Inspired by mentors like Associate Professor Dan “The Magic Man” Ezell is a professional magician who blends magic into his courses, and he helped to shape Matthew’s own approach to the classroom. 

I invite you to enjoy the photo gallery below, which shares more of Matthew’s journey and the Towle family’s remarkable connection to UCF. 

Matthew and Kelly seen here during commencement when she earned her doctoral degree. Kelly has been part of UCF since 2003—first as STE faculty and now leading immersive experiences that support future teachers like Matthew. Kelly also enjoys spending time with students in the Soar Success Program and getting to know individuals from around the world while teaching the Strategies for Success (SLS 1501) course designed for first-year, first-generation, and international students.

Matthew Towle and Kelly Jennings-Towle pictured together in a pose after Kelly’s doctoral graduation. She is seen here in her regalia.

Graphic created showing Matthew and a female friend. The graphic shows Lake Howell High School’s logo, and says, “Welcome Matthew Towle, Social Studies, Fun Facts: He is prepping for a bodybuilding competition, he is a big video game nerd and loves to bake.

Matthew, seen here on the left in welcome graphic created by Lake Howell High School staff, gained real-world experience through CCIE’s internship pathways program, serving as a teacher at Lake Howell High School before graduation. He began teaching in Seminole County through the Florida DOE Temporary Teacher Internship Certificate, gaining early classroom experience even before graduation and chose social studies because of his lifelong love of history.

Picture of Matthew outside holding a cup, as he volunteers at an event for Seminole County Public Schools.

Matthew, seen here volunteering in the community with Seminole County Public Schools, was inspired by Associate Professor Dan “The Magic Man” Ezell. Ezell is a professional magician who blends magic into his courses, helping to shape Matthew’s own approach to the classroom.

Picture of Matthew wearing a UCF t-shirt at a UCF football game as a child sticking his hand into a container of popcorn.

Matthew, seen here as a child at a UCF football game, came to UCF through the DirectConnect to UCF® pathway after Seminole State College—a launchpad that helped him find his calling as an educator.

Instagram photo of Dawn with Matthew and brother as children sitting in chairs outside at a UCF football game.

Dawn and Matthew, seen here with his brother as kids at a UCF football game. Both his moms, Dawn and Kelly, are proud graduates of the School of Teacher Education and longtime advocates for future educators.