Tara has a B.A. in Women’s Studies with a minor in Education from the University of California at Santa Cruz. In 2000, she earned a M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from Baylor University as well as an Early Childhood Montessori Credential from Houston Montessori Center. She worked with children for over 15 years as a teacher, advocate, and consultant in Louisiana. Recently, she returned to graduate school to become a school psychologist and further invest in at-risk and special needs students. Tara is completing her Specialist Degree in School Psychology from Louisiana State University in Shreveport and is working here in Iowa. Tara lives in Ames, Iowa with her husband, child, and two cats.