Tara C. Dale is a Nationally Board Certified Teacher (NBCT), currently teaching high school science, and is an instructional coach. Previously, she has taught middle school science and social studies in addition to the following high school classes: biology, ecology, earth and space science, AP psychology, and AP environmental science. She earned her Bachelors of Science degrees in psychology and biology from Arizona State University. She earned her Master's in Secondary Education from University of Phoenix. In 2014, she was an Arizona Teacher of the Year Finalist and in 2011 was honored as a STEM Innovation Hero by Science Foundation Arizona. She sits on the Board of Directors for the Arizona NBCT Network and is on the Superintendent Teacher Advisor Team for Maricopa County, Arizona. Her field work includes the effects of deforestation on biodiversity in the rainforests of Ecuador and the diurnal movement of plankton in the surface of the ocean as it relates to water temperature.
Tara has facilitated professional development classes and presented at conferences throughout the United States, most notably with ACT, the National Network of State Teachers of the Year, Student Achievement Partners, and Collaborative for Student Success. She and Mandi White have contributed to Larry Ferlazzo's Education Week Teacher blog and his BAM! Classroom Q&A radio show.
Tara was in the financial industry for 14 years prior to becoming a public school teacher. She is married with two children.
Mandi S. White has worked in education for 13 years and is currently an academic and behavior specialist at Kyrene del Pueblo Middle School in Chandler, Arizona, where she works with students and teachers across all settings to improve student success in school. Mandi began her career as a middle school special education resource teacher and later moved into a middle school English language arts teaching position. Mandi also has experience teaching middle school social studies and math. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies and her first Master's of Education degree in Special Education from James Madison University. In 2017, she earned her second Master's of Education degree in Educational Leadership from Arizona State University. Additionally, Mandi has earned a graduate certificate in Positive Behavior Support from Northern Arizona University.
Mandi has worked with Tara Dale on presenting professional development to educators on teaching for understanding both through their school district and at an ACT conference in 2018. She has also contributed to Larry Ferlazzo's Education Week Teacher blog and his BAM! Classroom Q&A radio show.
Mandi currently resides in Chandler, Arizona.