Tara Keegan
Burlington
Summary
Dynamic scholar-educator with a proven track record of research fellowships, teaching awards, and Deerfield Academy's 2024 Junior Faculty Chair. Has produced historical scholarship and fostered historical education in a variety of settings ranging from virtual and in-person classrooms to peer-reviewed academic journals to open-access encyclopedias. Currently revising her doctoral dissertation for trade publication and exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence and historical education through collaborative projects and consultations.
BOOK PROJECT: Running the Redwood Empire: Native People, American Mythology, and a 500-Mile Footrace through California.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
History and Social Science Teacher
Deerfield Academy
08.2022 - 06.2025
- Awarded the 2024 Junior Faculty Chair
- Participated in sustained professional development that investigated the state of and possibilities for AI in modern learning and education alongside schoolwide faculty and field experts.
- Formally collaborated with colleagues to discuss social science education trends, develop Deerfield's homegrown creative history curriculum, and share and assess teaching materials across disciplines.
- Served as an official mentor for an Early Career Teaching Fellow (student teacher), collaborating on pedagogical approaches, creative classroom management, and student assessment.
- Implemented a range of project-based learning activities as well as requisite college preparatory education that built student skills in problem-solving, scholarly preparedness, and principled debate while meeting metrics that continually reflect the Academy's standing as a top-notch American boarding school.
- Maintained a positive and curiosity-driven classroom culture that promoted inclusion through representative curriculum selection, informal and open reflection, and active revision of ideas and insights.
- Organized student field trips for off-site learning and real-world engagement.
- Performed the other duties of a boarding school instructor: lived in a ninth grade dorm as a "dorm parent," ensuring safety and promoting student belonging; served as a Head Varsity Track and Field Coach for the boys' and girls' program, regularly coaching athletes to national-caliber performances and college roster spots; acted as an academic and student life advisor to a group of 6-8 students, helping them develop study skills and executive function, and serving as a point-person for their families.
History Instructor
University of Oregon
06.2017 - 09.2021
- Created popular in-person and online courses on the subject of American sports history that fulfilled the University's curriculum requirements and engaged my ongoing doctoral research.
- Enhanced student comprehension and curiosity by utilizing varied teaching methods, incorporating multimedia into lectures, working with students one-on-one, and supporting independent research through active skill development and regular constructive feedback.
- Provided advice and guidance to students needing morale-boosting and academic advising.
Education
Ph.D. - History
University of Oregon
Eugene, OR09-2021
Master of Arts - History
University of Oregon
Eugene, OR06-2016
Bachelor of Arts - History; English
Muhlenberg College
Allentown, PA05-2013
Skills
- Academic writing and editing
- Secondary and college-level historical and writing instruction
- Mentorship in teaching and coaching
- Curriculum and content development across media
- Verbal and written communication
- Discussion facilitation
Additional Projects and Volunteer Work
- Co-editor of student essay volume (forthcoming): World War II in European Cinema: Representations and Distortions. (In Preparation with Dr. Thomas Cragin.)
- Literature Reviewer for SuperSummaries Study Guides (2020-2022)
- Mentor for Project 658 (remote; based in Charlotte, NC) to support immigrant teenagers as they transition to college (2020-2021)
- Coach for Girls on the Run Youth Running Program (Coburg, Oregon, 2019)
- Volunteer Staff for Eugene Figure Skating Club (Eugene, Oregon, 2019) and Tracktown USA (Eugene, Oregon, 2017-2018)
Timeline
History and Social Science Teacher
Deerfield Academy
08.2022 - 06.2025
History Instructor
University of Oregon
06.2017 - 09.2021
Ph.D. - History
University of Oregon
Master of Arts - History
University of Oregon
Bachelor of Arts - History; English
Muhlenberg College
Similar Profiles
William WichernWilliam Wichern
Cafe Team Member at Deerfield AcademyCafe Team Member at Deerfield Academy
JAIMIE ALLENJAIMIE ALLEN
Registered Nurse at Deerfield AcademyRegistered Nurse at Deerfield Academy
Ann MuscatoAnn Muscato
Preschool Teacher at Puffin Learning Academy Deerfield BeachPreschool Teacher at Puffin Learning Academy Deerfield Beach
VICTORIA BORCSOKVICTORIA BORCSOK
Guidance Counselor at St. Jude’s AcademyGuidance Counselor at St. Jude’s Academy
Mario Gutierrez CastilloMario Gutierrez Castillo
Summer Warehouse Team Member at Logisite Logistics Management Inc. (GE Appliances)Summer Warehouse Team Member at Logisite Logistics Management Inc. (GE Appliances)