Tara Buchanan
Mesa,AZ
Summary
Experienced leader with strong background in education, guiding teams, managing complex projects, and achieving strategic objectives. Passionate about young adults with a strong record of fostering positive growth and resilience in young individuals. Adept at creating and implementing programs that support emotional, social, and educational development. Strong focus on teamwork, flexibility, and achieving impactful results. Skilled in conflict resolution, mentoring, and community engagement, with reliable and adaptable approach to changing needs.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
English Department Chair
Edkey
08.2021 - Current
- Observed, coached and mentored instructional staff to promote warm, structured and responsive classroom culture.
- Served as a liaison between English Department faculty members and administration, advocating for necessary changes or improvements within the department.
- Designed assessments that accurately measured student understanding of course material while minimizing test anxiety issues among students.
- Organized professional development opportunities for English Department staff, promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
- Mentored new teachers within the department, providing guidance on best practices and classroom management techniques.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of relevant pedagogical research findings to inform teaching methods within the English Department consistently.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop and implement departmental goals, ensuring alignment with school-wide objectives.
- Guided and supported faculty and staff in development of new programs.
- Coordinated and supervised academic advising activities.
- Developed and implemented student success initiatives to recognize and encourage achievement.
- Oversaw the successful accreditation process for the English Department, maintaining compliance with relevant standards and regulations.
- Fostered an inclusive learning environment by addressing accessibility concerns related to curricular materials and classroom arrangements proactively.
- Enhanced curriculum quality by implementing innovative teaching strategies and interdisciplinary approaches.
English Teacher
Edkey
08.2019 - Current
- Improved classroom management by implementing consistent routines and clear expectations for behavior.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop interdisciplinary curriculum, resulting in enriched learning experiences for students.
- Utilized data-driven instruction to identify areas of need and implement targeted strategies for improvement.
- Mentored new teachers within the department, sharing best practices and offering guidance on effective teaching methods.
- Promoted a positive learning environment by modeling respect, empathy, and active listening skills during all interactions with students.
- Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learner needs, ensuring all students had equal access to education opportunities.
- Assisted in development of college and career readiness programs.
- Provided guidance and mentoring to students regarding academic, social and emotional issues.
- Established and maintained professional relationships with students, staff, parents and community members.
- Prepared and implemented lesson plans covering required course topics.
- Planned dynamic lessons to increase student comprehension of books and literary concepts.
- Prepared comprehensive English curriculum for multiple classes.
- Participated in professional development opportunities to stay up-to-date on teaching best practices and enhance educator skills.
- Assisted struggling students through targeted interventions, leading to increased academic success.
- Implemented project-based learning activities that encouraged collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills among students.
- Attended department meetings to develop and update course curricula.
- Created and implemented activities to foster critical thinking skills of students.
Barista
Starbucks
05.2017 - Current
- Promoted a welcoming atmosphere by greeting customers with a friendly demeanor and promptly addressing their needs.
- Handled customer complaints professionally, resolving issues promptly to ensure satisfaction and foster loyalty.
- Maintained regular and consistent attendance and punctuality.
- Managed time effectively to balance both front-of-house tasks and back-of-house responsibilities during busy periods.
Language Arts Teacher
Tempe Elementary School District #3
08.2010 - 05.2017
- Evaluated academic skills of each student through verbal assessments, graded assignments, and standardized tests.
- Fostered a supportive learning environment that celebrated diversity and nurtured the unique talents of each individual learner.
- Promoted critical thinking skills through analytical writing assignments that encouraged students to synthesize information from multiple sources.
- Increased student motivation by incorporating creative projects that allowed students to demonstrate content mastery in various formats.
- Encouraged independent thought, good judgment, and expression of original ideas.
- Mentored new teachers in effective lesson planning, classroom management, and assessment methods, contributing to their professional growth.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in language arts education.
- Established positive relationships with students, parents, and fellow educators through open communication channels.
- Evaluated student progress and adjusted instructional strategies accordingly, leading to improved performance for struggling learners.
- Produced engaging lesson plans and activities to help students master learning objectives.
General Manager
Cherubini Coffee Company
07.2009 - 08.2010
- Manage and schedule staff
- Complete inventory and sales reports
- Monitor inventory and purchasing
- Coordinate events and catering
- Organize and maintain financials
- Hire and train new employees
- Manage computer systems and daily intakes for the front and back of the house
Student Ministries Intern
Grace Community Church
01.2006 - 07.2010
- Facilitated small group discussions with girls on topics of interest life, coping abilities, family and friends
- Planned events for students and pastors along with other paid staff members
- Organized and facilitated planned events with students, camps, mission trips and social activities
- Organized and managed our student check in program as well as other miscellaneous tasks: managing resources, purchasing supplies, and creating interactive environments with thematic settings
Student Worker- Undergrad research assistant in psychology department
Arizona State University
08.2005 - 08.2008
- Created, organized and packaged paper works for clinics held with families in the program
- Entered collected data in to the computer analysis program
- Made copies, created documents in all Microsoft programs, organized, filed, shredded, miscellaneous office work
International Intern
Children of the Nations
06.2006 - 08.2006
- Company Overview: Malawi, Africa
- Helped mentor and develop a home for girls who have been sexually abused
- Worked with orphaned children infants to 18 in Mtsliza Village Assistance Program feeding, tutoring, bathing, and general care
- Taught different grades English PreK - 12
- Helped to develop a workers assistant program for widows where they could make and sell house hold items, jewelry and bags
- Malawi, Africa
Education
Bachelors - Secondary Education English, Family and Human Development
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ01.2010
Diploma -
McClintock High School
Tempe, AZ01.2005
Skills
- Grammar Expertise
- Instructional Leadership
- Parent-teacher relations
- Teacher Mentoring
- Educational research
- Curriculum Mapping
- Diversity awareness
- Faculty Management
- Educational Policy
- Department Budgeting
- Student Engagement
- Academic advising
Hobbies and Interests
- Working with kids
- Teaching
- Leadership
- Swimming
- Cooking
- Travel
References
- Will Savoy, Friend and previous supervisor, 480-335-4346
- Kacy Baxter, Principal Mesa Public Schools, 480-717-9918
- Michael Parker, Family friend and mentor, 480-861-6131
- Tabitha McMaster, General Manager Starbucks, 480-838-3989
Certification
- Safe Schools Training Certificate - Various Safety Organizations.
- State Teaching Certification or License - Arizona Department of Education.
- English as a Second Language (ESL) Endorsement - Arizona Department of Education.
- IVP Fingerprint clearance card current
- ServSafe Food Handler's Certification
Timeline
English Department Chair
Edkey
08.2021 - Current
English Teacher
Edkey
08.2019 - Current
Barista
Starbucks
05.2017 - Current
Language Arts Teacher
Tempe Elementary School District #3
08.2010 - 05.2017
General Manager
Cherubini Coffee Company
07.2009 - 08.2010
International Intern
Children of the Nations
06.2006 - 08.2006
Student Ministries Intern
Grace Community Church
01.2006 - 07.2010
Student Worker- Undergrad research assistant in psychology department
Arizona State University
08.2005 - 08.2008
Diploma -
McClintock High School
Bachelors - Secondary Education English, Family and Human Development
Arizona State University
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