Tara C Bartlett
Richmond,VA
Summary
Strategic leader and former school principal with 20+ years of experience designing and scaling education and community-based programs, now transitioning into nonprofit and consulting work focused on adult learning, partnerships, and systems change. Known for building high-impact collaborations across schools, nonprofits, and community organizations to expand access, improve outcomes, and drive sustainable growth. Brings deep expertise in program design, stakeholder engagement, and translating research and data into actionable strategy. A relationship-driven leader with a strong foundation in equity, grant-supported initiatives, and community engagement—passionate about working in mission-driven environments that expand opportunity for adult learners and underserved populations.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Principal (Director-Level Leadership)
Jackson-Via Elementary School
Charlottesville, VA
01.2024 - Current
- Lead a complex, community-centered organization serving 350+ students, managing strategy, operations, and partnerships to drive measurable outcomes.
- Designed and implemented data-informed improvement strategies resulting in 20% gains in student achievement and double-digit increases in attendance and engagement.
- Built and sustained partnerships with 10+ nonprofits and community organizations, expanding wraparound services and increasing family engagement by over 25%.
- Led comprehensive program evaluation efforts (surveys, focus groups, stakeholder interviews), translating findings into strategic improvements and funding-aligned priorities.
- Facilitated ongoing professional learning and leadership development for 60–80 staff, strengthening retention and internal leadership pipelines.
- Delivered high-impact presentations and communications to diverse stakeholders, strengthening transparency, trust, and community alignment.
- Managed multiple concurrent initiatives, aligning resources, timelines, and outcomes to meet 90%+ of annual strategic goals.
Assistant Principal (Program & Partnerships Leadership)
Stanley Elementary School
Stanley, VA
01.2022 - 01.2024
- Launched and scaled a community-driven tutoring and enrichment program, partnering with local organizations and families to increase student achievement by 35%.
- Led recruitment, onboarding, and development of a 45-member team, strengthening organizational capacity and program delivery.
- Served as a key liaison between school, district, and community stakeholders to align programming with broader strategic goals.
- Designed and delivered professional learning for staff, building instructional capacity and program consistency.
ELL Department Chair | Program Lead
Thomas Dale High School
Chester, VA
01.2020 - 01.2022
- Directed program strategy and services for multilingual learners, aligning instruction with college and career readiness pathways.
- Led cross-functional collaboration across departments, families, and external partners to support diverse learner needs and increase engagement by 30%.
- Secured and leveraged Title III grant funding to expand program offerings and professional development.
- Designed and facilitated training for educators, strengthening inclusive instructional practices across the school which translated to an increase in student success of 25%.
Instructional Coach (Consulting & Systems Improvement Role)
Caroline Middle School
Bowling Green, VA
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Operated as an internal consultant, guiding 15 teams in implementing data-driven instructional strategies and continuous improvement systems.
- Translated district priorities into actionable plans, supporting educators in achieving measurable performance gains.
- Strengthened long-term stakeholder relationships through coaching, facilitation, and strategic communication.
Reading Specialist & Instructional Coach
Christiansburg Middle School
Christiansburg, VA
01.2015 - 01.2019
- Led cross-functional teams to improve literacy outcomes through data-informed planning and targeted interventions.
- Managed program implementation, including timelines, staffing, and resource allocation to ensure sustainability.
- Built strong partnerships with educators and administrators to support long-term instructional improvement.
- Implemented targeted reading interventions to improve student literacy levels by 20%.
Education
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) - Educational Leadership & Policy
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA06.2021
Master of Arts - Educational Administration & Supervision, TESOL / Multicultural Education
George Mason University
Fairfax06.2012
Master’s Degree - Elementary Education (MAT)
Trinity College
Washington, DC06.1997
Bachelor of Arts - Child Psychology
Gettysburg College
Gettysburg, PA06.1993
Skills
- LMS & Learning Platforms: Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard
- Data Systems: EduClimber, PowerSchool, SchoolMint
- Collaboration Tools: Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Zoom
- Communication Platforms: ParentSquare
- Design Tools: Canva, Snappa
- Organizational development
- Stakeholder engagement
- Project management
- Budget control/ CRM Data Integrity and Reporting
- Financial management
- Vendor relationship management
LANGUAGES
Spanish (Intermediate)
Timeline
Principal (Director-Level Leadership)
Jackson-Via Elementary School
01.2024 - Current
Assistant Principal (Program & Partnerships Leadership)
Stanley Elementary School
01.2022 - 01.2024
ELL Department Chair | Program Lead
Thomas Dale High School
01.2020 - 01.2022
Instructional Coach (Consulting & Systems Improvement Role)
Caroline Middle School
01.2019 - 01.2020
Reading Specialist & Instructional Coach
Christiansburg Middle School
01.2015 - 01.2019
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) - Educational Leadership & Policy
Virginia Tech
Master of Arts - Educational Administration & Supervision, TESOL / Multicultural Education
George Mason University
Master’s Degree - Elementary Education (MAT)
Trinity College
Bachelor of Arts - Child Psychology
Gettysburg College
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
- ESL Adjunct Faculty, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College (Adult Learners) | 2022–Present
- ELL & ELA Department Leadership Roles, Multiple Districts (VA)
- Dean of Students & Summer School Principal