Dr. Erin Tam
Sierra Madre,CA
Summary
Vision-driven educational leader with 12+ years of experience across K–12 education and children’s ministry leadership, specializing in instructional coherence, culturally responsive teaching, and intergenerational learning systems. Holds a Doctor of Education from the University of Southern California, with research examining the leadership pathways and resilience of African American women principals, and brings expertise in PLC facilitation, multilingual learner supports (GLAD), interdisciplinary curriculum architecture, and volunteer leadership development. Currently completing the California Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (CPACE route, expected 2026). Passionate about designing aligned ecosystems that strengthen the partnership between school, church, and family in the formation of children and communities.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder
Emerging Initiative
Sierra Madre
01.2026 - Current
- Designing coherence frameworks that support schools and ministries in aligning instruction, leadership practice, and family engagement systems around student belonging and academic growth.
- Developing tools that reduce initiative overload and increase instructional clarity
- Supporting alignment across Tier 1 instruction, PLC systems, and family partnerships
- Exploring cross-sector collaboration between district education and Christian formation contexts
- Creating frameworks that strengthen coherence across classrooms, campuses, and congregations
Children’s Program Leadership Team
Expressions Church
Pasadena, CA
2025 - Current
- Design and lead a developing children’s ministry serving ages 3–11, building systems that connect faith formation, family engagement, and intergenerational belonging.
- Developed scope-aligned weekly instructional experiences for multi-age learners
- Built volunteer leadership structures supporting sustainability with limited staffing
- Introduced Parent Cue family-discipleship connection practices
- Designed intergenerational worship learning opportunities
- Coordinated seasonal family engagement events, strengthening church–home partnerships
- Supporting ministry transition following completion of a full Bible engagement cycle across the children’s program
Instructional Leadership Team Member (ILT)
Temple City Unified School District
Temple City
08.2025 - Current
- Serve on site leadership team supporting instructional coherence and schoolwide improvement planning.
- Facilitate grade-level collaboration aligned to essential standards and pacing systems
- Support development of shared assessment practices across teams
- Contribute to MTSS planning and Tier 1 instructional strengthening
- Partner with administration to advance schoolwide instructional priorities
Safety Committee Representative
Temple City Unified School District
Temple City
08.2023 - 06.2025
- Co-authored schoolwide safety planning documents
- Trained staff on updated emergency preparedness procedures
- Supported compliance and readiness protocols across grade levels
- Represent grade-level perspective in campus safety planning decisions
Classroom Teacher & Instructional Designer (Kindergarten–Grade 3)
Temple City Unified School District
01.2020 - Current
- Design interdisciplinary, language-rich learning environments supporting early literacy development, conceptual understanding, and whole-child growth.
- Implement GLAD strategies supporting multilingual learner access to academic language
- Lead PLC cycles focused on assessment alignment and instructional response
- Mentor credential candidates through observation, coaching, and modeling
- Design structured foundational literacy pacing aligned with research-based phonics systems
- Develop story-driven integrated units connecting science, literacy, and mathematics
- Strengthen classroom community through SEL-informed routines and belonging structures
Multigrade Classroom Teacher
Pasadena Unified School District
Pasadena
01.2016 - 01.2020
- Led project-based interdisciplinary instruction across grade spans with emphasis on inquiry, collaboration, and culturally responsive pedagogy.
- Designed inclusive transdisciplinary learning experiences
- Integrated digital learning platforms supporting engagement and differentiation
- Supported transition to virtual instruction during COVID-19 school closures
- Secured $2,500 in instructional grants supporting inquiry-based learning
- Built classroom cultures centered on belonging, collaboration, and student voice
Education
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) - Educational Leadership in Urban Settings
University of Southern California
05-2025
Preliminary Administrative Credential -CPACE Route -
California Department of Education
07-2026
Master of Arts - Teaching
Biola University
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
Biola University
Skills
- Instructional Leadership & Teacher Development
- PLC Facilitation & Data-Driven Improvement Cycles
- Culturally Responsive & Language-Rich Instruction (GLAD)
- Family & Community Engagement Systems
- Biblical Literacy & Christ-Centered Instructional Foundations
- Program Design & Volunteer Leadership Development
- Equity-Centered Curriculum Design
- School Safety Planning & Emergency Preparedness
- Interdisciplinary Learning Architecture
- Educational Technology Integration
- Cross-Sector Partnerships (School–Church–Community)
Additional Leadership Contributions
- Student Teacher Mentor (University Partnership Placements)
- Professional Learning Community Facilitator
- Family Engagement Event Designer
- Volunteer Leadership Coordinator (30+ weekly volunteers)
- School–Community Partnership Organizer
Timeline
Founder
Emerging Initiative
01.2026 - Current
Instructional Leadership Team Member (ILT)
Temple City Unified School District
08.2025 - Current
Safety Committee Representative
Temple City Unified School District
08.2023 - 06.2025
Classroom Teacher & Instructional Designer (Kindergarten–Grade 3)
Temple City Unified School District
01.2020 - Current
Multigrade Classroom Teacher
Pasadena Unified School District
01.2016 - 01.2020
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
Biola University
Children’s Program Leadership Team
Expressions Church
2025 - Current
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) - Educational Leadership in Urban Settings
University of Southern California
Preliminary Administrative Credential -CPACE Route -
California Department of Education
Master of Arts - Teaching
Biola University