• Implementation Fidelity and Qualitative Lead
• Developed a custom observation tool to capture data related to writing instruction
• Created a training and reliability process to onboard new observers for the custom tool, and conducted that training, leading to 3 of the 4 observers in the pilot becoming reliable with the custom tool
• Collaborated with the client to develop an implementation fidelity tool that aligned with program expectations
• Developed a robust analysis plan that aligned research questions with interview, focus group, and survey questions
• Wrote interview and focus group protocols that aligned with both research and implementation questions

“Tara was invited to join the project because the implementation team needed new leadership. Tara ensured that the implementation tasks were delivered on time and within budget. This was incredibly important for our project and contributed to building trust with our external client. Specifically, Tara revised the project evaluation plan and fidelity of implementation matrix and incorporated feedback from Providence College, SRSD Online, and Abt Associates, the technical assistance provider for our grant. She completed a careful and detailed analysis of our 22-23 implementation data. She demonstrated exceptional teamwork in that she was willing to revise this analysis several times based on feedback from the team. Her work on the 22-23 implementation study ensured that we were able to deliver a complete and accurate report to the client on time.“ – Elizabeth L. Adams, Ph.D, Senior Researcher at AIR

• Qualitative Data Lead
• Collaborated with the client to explicate implicit expectations and identify key program elements, and then collected that information into a comprehensive implementation fidelity matrix
• Developed an Excel workbook that employed intricate logic to analyze fidelity data and assign ratings
• Created an observation protocol to gather data related to early literacy instruction, trauma-informed practices, and cultural humility
• Wrote interview and survey protocols to collect key implementation data
• Managed a team of site visitors to conduct observations and interviews at over 20 sites in rural North Carolina

“Tara brings a rare combination of strengths to her work. Not only does she have excellent organizational skills to manage many moving pieces of data collection and analysis, but she also has strong understanding of implementation science and what it means to measure fidelity, on top of exceptional Microsoft Excel skills. Our client commented multiple times on their appreciation for Tara’s careful thinking and the value she added to the project.” – Karen Manship, Principal Investigator, Duke Endowment Summer Literacy Initiative and Managing Director, AIR

• Implementation Fidelity and Qualitative Lead
• Interim Project Director (Summer 2024)
• Developed the framework for analyzing implementation fidelity
• Conducted interviews with teachers and focus groups with elementary school students
• Managed a team of Classroom Assessment Scoring System® (CLASS®) observers to visit classrooms in New York City and San Antonio
• Analyzed and presented interview, focus group, and observation data

“During our pilot year, before moving towards our randomized control trial, Tara provided a series of memos and presentations on pilot data and analysis. Through these engaging and informative memos, she helped us tell a story about the data, including the pieces that were working well and areas for improvement. We were able to make data-informed decisions moving into the first full year of the study.” – Nicholas Yoder, Ph.D., Associate Vice President of Whole Human Education & Research for the Harmony Academy at National University

• Qualitative Lead
• Developed the implementation fidelity matrix
• Managed a team to conduct large scale video classroom observations
• Collected, analyzed, and presented the implementation fidelity data

“Tara served as the implementation study lead for AIR’s evaluation of PAL Classrooms. In this role, she conceptualized and vetted our measures of implementation fidelity, trained classroom observers and coders using the CLASS observation system, and conducted analyses and reporting of all implementation-related data collections. Tara’s expertise in classroom observation systems and implementation evaluation activities were key to the project’s overall success.” – Ryan Williams, PhD., Principal Researcher, AIR

• Conceptualized and developed the student microcredentials, the first series of social-emotional microcredentials for high school students in the United States
• Developed and iterated a readiness tool to support planning and implementation
• Served as a thought partner for developing the pilot
• Co-developed the teacher microcredentials
• Co-developed the initial evaluation plan

“Tara’s knowledge of systems and processes [was] a valuable resource for the project team. She was a great collaborator and thought partner and was always willing to use her expertise in a way that supported her teammates and helped to streamline the work. One of the qualities that made Tara such a great thought partner was her ability to analyze and process information. She was able to interpret project tasks and determine the necessary steps to ensure timely completion. Her input was thoughtful and demonstrated her deep understanding of systems work.” – Sheila Lovato, Senior Technical Assistance Consultant, AIR

• Project Director
• Managed a small team, including one junior staff member new to the organization
• Led the team to locate, vet, organize, and deliver a minimum of 25 early literacy resources to the client each month for the early literacy repository
• Oversaw the development of three additional handouts
• Conceived and managed the development of an interview–based six–episode podcast series
• Designed the interview protocol for the podcast series and either conducted or supported the junior staff member through conducting the interviews

“Tara was a strong, concise, and clear communicator to the team and to the client. She explained the work carefully and thoroughly to the client and asked appropriate questions. Tara gave all team members voice in the work and took our comments and questions seriously. As PD, she handled an unexpected delay for several weeks efficiently and communicated changes to the team. Tara also maintained a strong professional relationship with the client and with the team.” – Marlene Darwin, Ph.D.

• Texas Center for Educator Excellence Teacher and School Leader Incentive Program Evaluation (2022 – 2023) – Qualitative Data Lead Writer
• Urban Teachers SEED Grant (2021 – 2023) – CLASS Observation Lead
• Region 9 Comprehensive Center (2021 – 2023) – Success Stories Writer
• Project CATALYZE (2020 – 2022) – Consent and Observation Lead
• Qatar Talent Development Framework and Evaluation (2020 – 2022) – Researcher
• Wyoming Virtual Professional Learning for Educators (2021 – 2022) – Project Director
• National Association of Elementary School Principals, Leaders We Need Now (2021 – 2022) – Emergency Project Director
• Chicago Public Schools Elevate Implementation Study (2018 – 2021) – Project Director
• Florida Network for School Improvement (2019 – 2021) – Project Coordinator
• AIR’s COVID-19 Response (2020) – Coordinator and Workstream Manager
• State Support Network (2017 – 2020) – Facilitator , Quality Reviewer, and Site Administrator
• Great Lakes Comprehensive Center (2013 – 2019) – Researcher, Task Force Organizer, Toolkit Developer, Task Lead
• Center for Great Teachers and Leaders (2018) – Resource Adaptation Manager
• Texas Center for Educator Excellence Teacher Incentive Fund (TIF-4) (2018) – Literature Review Writer
• Midwest Comprehensive Center (2017 – 2018) – Survey Developer and Analyst
• Maine Schools for Excellence TIF-4 (2017) – Qualitative and quantitative researcher and analyst
• Center for Great Teachers and Leaders (2016 – 2017) – Technical Assistance Support
• Southeast Comprehensive Center (2016) – Protocol Developer and Facilitator
• Michigan Career and Technical Education System Scan – Qualitative and Quantitative Researcher and Analyst
• Illinois Center for School Improvement (2015 – 2016) – Co-interpretation Co-facilitator
• Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Study on Assessment Practices in Districts (2015) – Interviewer
• Intel Teachers Engage and Mobile Learning (2013 – 2015) – Social Media Manager and Researcher
• Study of Deeper Learning: Opportunities and Outcomes (2011 – 2014) – Survey Development Team Member and Site Liaison
• Profile and Performance Information Collection System (PPICS) (2012) – Analyst
• 21st Century Community Learning Centers Practitioner’s Guide (2012) – PPICS Analyst and Site Visitor
• State Training and Technical Assistance Center (2012 – 2013) – Interview Protocol Developer
• ASCD Whole Child Network (2012) – Qualitative Research Support
• SGA Promise Neighborhood Grant (2012) – Data Analyst and GIS Mapping
• Say Yes to Education: Syracuse (2012) – Site Visitor
• Schools of the Future (2012) – Writer
• National Charter School Resource Center (2011 – 2012) – Analyst
• Peoria District 150 Turnaround (2011 – 2012) – Interviewer and Analyst
• Olean City School District, Early Reading First (2011 – 2012) – Site Visitor and Analyst
• Illinois Action for Children (2011) – Site Visitor and Analyst
• Clark County Educational and Operational Efficiency Assessment (2011) – Interviewer and Writer
• New York External School Curriculum Audit Year 6 (2011) – Site visitor, Analyst, Writer