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Tara: At one time, I used to think I would love to have become an attorney and work in the legal field.  After becoming an Administrator, I now know that I am in the right career field and would do nothing else.  After having been in the classroom as a teacher for 11 years prior to becoming an Administrator, I have experience and knowledge to share with students and now also staff members.  I am also able to still work with kids in a different capacity which I love.  I’m not sure I would ever be able to move into a path where I am away from working with kids as that is where my passion lies.  As a mother of young children, it has also become more important to work with kids that don’t come from loving, supportive homes.  I know my children are very lucky, although it may be awhile before they realize it, to have a 2 parent household where they are loved unconditionally, supported in everything they do, and taught right from wrong.  Many children don’t get that opportunity at home so school becomes the place for them to receive that opportunity.  School becomes their home!

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Ryan: If you could choose another career field, would you? Please explain your answer in detail.

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Tara: School funding is the biggest cause for concern right now, especially in the state of Kansas.  I’ve been in education long enough to see the funding crisis go from one extreme to the next.  For many years earlier in my career, teachers earned raises every year and there was always money to support the needs of students.  In the past 5+ years, many programs have been cut due to lack of funding that are crucial in meeting the needs of students.  Specifically in urban districts, resources and programs that were once available for students with mental health concerns or social emotional issues were plentiful and always available.  Whereas now, those resources are thinning out and sometimes few and far between, or simply much more difficult to access when the need arises.

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Ryan: What changes, if any, would you make to the educational system? Consider various aspects of education reform, funding, state assessments, etc…

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Tara: Professionalism encompasses everything from attitude, appearance, preparedness, and collaborative nature.  When hiring new teachers, we look for people who take pride in their appearance, have a positive attitude, are organized/prepared, flexible/adaptable, and people who work well with others.  To stand out in the application, interview, and hiring process it is important to be true to yourself and communicate your passions/strengths but be humble enough to admit where you still need to grow.  If you don’t know how to do something, be honest and admit it but communicate how you will go about learning.  The best advice I received when interviewing for Administrator positions was to “sell myself.”  During the interview, that is your time to “sell yourself” and get the message across as to why they want to hire you.  Be confident, but not narcissistic J

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Ryan: What does professionalism mean to you? What qualities do you seek in a new teacher? How can I "stand out" during the application, interview, and hiring process after I earn my teaching license?

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Tara: As a new teacher, classroom management will likely be the biggest challenge.  When you are in charge of the classroom, you will need to know your expected routines and procedures as those are crucial in successfully managing a classroom.  You can plan the most fabulous lessons in the world, but if you can’t control the classroom, your lesson plans will mean nothing.  The rewards in teaching are seeing the “light bulb” moments in your students and building relationships with students who may have no one else to support them.

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Ryan: What are some of the challenges I will face as a new teacher? What are the rewards in teaching? Could you provide me with specific examples from your own teaching experience or from some of the teachers you supervise?

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Tara: Expect the unexpected every single day!  You never know what the day will bring and where you students will come from or what experiences they will bring to the classroom.

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Ryan: What advice can you give me to better prepare me for the teaching profession?

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Tara: I originally chose the teaching profession because I have a love for learning and helping others reach their potential academically.  I enjoy pushing/encouraging others, especially kids, to think outside the box and strive to discover the “why” behind everything.  In order for kids to love learning, we must have educators who are passionate about what they do.  As a student, I had teachers who were influential to me and others who were not.  The defining line between the two came down to purpose and passion.

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Ryan: What made you choose the teaching profession originally?

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Tara: I’ve been an Assistant Principal at the MS level for 3 years.  I taught for 11 years prior to becoming an Administrator.

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Ryan: How long have you been a principal? How long did you teach prior to becoming an administrator?