For two decades, I had the incredible privilege of teaching elementary school. Throughout those years, I embarked on an extraordinary journey of teaching, learning, and growing alongside my students. I poured my heart and soul into the work, celebrating their triumphs, learning from challenges, and even shedding a few tears along the way. It was a rollercoaster of emotions, but every moment was worth it.
The turning point in my career came when I was accepted into the NJEA-sponsored Teacher Leader Academy—a transformative program that introduced me to a remarkable author and mentor who helped me see my work through a new lens.
This inspiring experience not only validated my efforts but pushed me to reflect, refine my practice, and grow in ways I hadn’t imagined. Their unwavering encouragement helped me soar and sparked a new chapter in my professional journey.
Through the Paris Writing Café and the National Writing Project at Drew University, I continue to deepen my work by preparing research-based presentations, writing articles, and building my own Substack platform, Poetry and Artifacts, where I share original poetry and journal about the power of everyday moments. Writing is my passion, and I imbibe that into both my personal and professional life.
I regularly present at English and literacy conferences such as NJCTE, LitCon, OCTELA, and NJEA, and I serve on the board of NJCTE. As a Teacher Consultant with the National Writing Project at Drew University, I also provide additional professional development to educators across the state.
On any given week, you can find my writing on LinkedIn, my blog, Substack, Instagram, and Facebook. Whether I’m supporting teachers, designing curriculum, or exploring the written word, I lead with heart, craft, and a deep belief in the power of story.
Today, I’m channeling that same energy into supporting educators like you. I specialize in literacy, instructional design, and the art of truly caring for both students and teachers. My hope is to be that same positive force for others—to uplift, inspire, and empower educators so they, too, can reach new heights.
Let’s soar together and create a brighter, more joyful future for our students.
Testimonial
I have known Tara for many years, but I’ve had the pleasure of working collaboratively with her for a year. I’m thrilled with the excitement I’ve seen in my students when it comes to writing! Tara’s techniques and strategies make the students eager to write. Their published pieces are full of details and vocabulary that my students had not previously included in their work. An added bonus is that my students are using her techniques for answering and formatting their writing BEYOND just the Language Arts lessons. I consider myself lucky to have worked with Tara and look forward to doing so again in the future.
Jackie Drexler, NJ Educator
Teaching with Temprano 