Tara Barnstead
Mickleton
Summary
Experienced educator with a strong background in literacy development and curriculum design at Pennsauken Board of Education. Expertise in data analysis for strategic improvements and effective communication with stakeholders. Led professional development initiatives that enhanced instructional practices and mentored new teachers, resulting in measurable student outcomes.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Professional Development Coordinator
Pennsauken Public Schools
Pennsauken
09.2023 - Current
- Deployed learning management system, boosting product awareness, adoption and usage through educational content.
- Collaborated with internal teams to produce and maintain knowledge base content.
- Developed testing and evaluation procedures to drive effective outcomes.
- Developed and implemented professional development workshops for staff members.
Adjunct Professor
Rowan University
01.2018 - Current
- Company Overview: Department of Critical Literacy, Technology & Multilingual Education
- Provides instruction on literacy pedagogy to graduate and undergraduate students
- Courses: Literacy Pedagogy I & II, Spelling & Phonics Instruction, Literacy Across the Content Areas, Emergent Reading & Language Development, Teaching Reading to Students with Disabilities
Co-Founder of the Pennsauken Babies Initiative: A birth through age-three family literacy program
Pennsauken Board of Education
01.2017 - Current
- Leads a staff of 25 teachers and serves as a home and school liaison with 75 families across the district
- Designs curriculum based on early childhood developmental milestones and standards as recommended by CDC, NAEYC, NJDOE
- Develops budget
- Maintains partnership with The3Ts.org, an Early Childhood Advocacy Program
- Uses LENA technology to monitor preschool language environment and provide feedback that helps adults make proven, sustainable increases in interactive talk with children
Title I Basic Skills Teacher
Pennsauken Board of Education
Pennsauken
01.2010 - Current
- Designs small group and individualized student action plans to attain measurable literacy goals (NJMTSS).
- Provides remediation services for students using a variety of interventions and progress monitoring (UFLI, Wilson Products, aimswebPlus, DIBELS).
- Assessed student progress through regular evaluations and feedback sessions.
- Communicated effectively with parents regarding student performance and progress.
- I served as a Professional Development Coordinator and on the Curriculum Development Committee.
- Oversees the utilization of the aimswebPlus Benchmark and Progress Monitoring System.
- Analyzes data and reports trends.
- suggests eseatch based ways to make strategic improvement
Classroom Teacher Grades 1, 2, 4, 5
Pennsauken Board of Education
Pennsauken
09.2001 - Current
- Developed engaging lesson plans tailored to diverse student needs.
- Mentored new teachers on instructional strategies and classroom management techniques.
- Organized educational activities to enhance learning experiences outside the classroom.
- Integrated technology into lessons to support interactive learning environments.
- Established positive relationships with students, parents, fellow teachers and school administrators.
Literacy Instructional Coach
Pennsauken Board of Education
09.2007 - 06.2010
- Provides instruction on literacy pedagogy to graduate and undergraduate students
Education
Doctorate of Education - Cognitive Studies in Reading
Widener University
Chester, PA12.2021
Master of Education - Reading Specialist
Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA12.2007
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education K-8
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ12.2000
Skills
- Communication skills
- Planning and organization
- Decision making
- Literacy development
- Curriculum design
- Data analysis
Certification
- NJ Supervisor Standard Certificate September 2018
- NJ Reading Specialist Certification January 2008
- NJ Elementary School Teacher Standard Certificate December 2000
Websites
Accomplishments
- Frederick L. Hipp Foundation for Excellence in Education Grant $10,000 NJEA 2019
- Classroom Close-Up NJ Television Episode: Carson Babies Initiative Season 2018-2019
Affiliations
- International Literacy Association
- National Association for the Education of Young Children
- Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development
Publications
- Barnstead, T. (2023 – 2025). ELA Professional Development Series. Pennsauken Public Schools
- Barnstead, T. (April 2022). Case-study of a school facilitated early childhood family literacy program. Graduate Research Symposium: Widener University.
- Barnstead, T. & Joyce, D. (March 2022). Early childhood family literacy. FEA/NJPSA/NJASCD Celebrate! Conference, Atlantic City, NJ.
- Barnstead, T. & Joyce, D. (September 2021). Early childhood family literacy. FEA/NJPSA 5th Annual Women’s Leadership Conference.
References
References available upon request.
EXPERTISE
- Cognitive development of typical, multilingual, at-risk, and differently abled students
- Language & Literacy Development Birth – Adult
- Data Analysis
- Curriculum Design
- Professional Development
SOCIAL MEDIA
- LinkedIn: tarabarnstead
- Twitter: @BarnsteadTara
Timeline
Professional Development Coordinator
Pennsauken Public Schools
09.2023 - Current
Adjunct Professor
Rowan University
01.2018 - Current
Co-Founder of the Pennsauken Babies Initiative: A birth through age-three family literacy program
Pennsauken Board of Education
01.2017 - Current
Title I Basic Skills Teacher
Pennsauken Board of Education
01.2010 - Current
Literacy Instructional Coach
Pennsauken Board of Education
09.2007 - 06.2010
Classroom Teacher Grades 1, 2, 4, 5
Pennsauken Board of Education
09.2001 - Current
Doctorate of Education - Cognitive Studies in Reading
Widener University
Master of Education - Reading Specialist
Holy Family University
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education K-8
Rowan University
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