Learning. Growing. Sharing. (Repeat)

Embarking on a journey of new learning inevitably brings forth cognitive dissonance, a natural but often uncomfortable state. The inclination to halt this discomfort is human, yet pushing beyond our comfort zones is the catalyst for profound growth. The essence lies in expanding both our knowledge and self-assurance.

In this transformative process, a learning coach serves as a steady guide. With 24 years immersed in the realm of education, encompassing 14 years as a high school English teacher and a decade as an instructional coach to educators, my wealth of experience is fortified by extensive training.

In moments of uncertainty, a gentle hand at your back can make all the difference. I am committed to providing unwavering support, drawing upon a reservoir of knowledge and insights accumulated over years of dedicated service. Together, we will navigate challenges and chart a course toward success.

As a steward of learning, my aspiration is to share wisdom, fostering growth in acquiring and applying new skills and confidence. The urgency of this mission underscores the pivotal role a coach plays in shaping your educational journey.

How may I assist you on your path to growth and achievement?

I got into teaching for two reasons: 1) I love literature and the humanities (I'm a huge nerd), and 2) I believe that the key to healthy societies is healthy, educated people. I believe in the power of education to transform people from the inside out. In a time when education is attacked and dismissed, I still carry a torch for public education because the alternative - if we give up on public education - leads to a a world I dare not define here (Dostoyevsky illustrates its dregs in Crime & Punishment). 

My love of literature led to me applying for and accepting a position teaching senior English at a public high school in 2000. Soon, I would discover my greatest reason for teaching in my students. My students taught me that being a teacher is more than knowing content. Being a teacher means being a shepherd for both learning and personal growth as well as remaining forever a student of learning and life. Being a guide for young human beings is an amazing responsibility and challenge. It is also the most rewarding thing I could have chosen to do with my life.

I taught for 14 years:

• English: freshman, sophomores, seniors (including Prep-AP and AP)
• Humanities (the greatest course any student can take for empowering their understanding of the world and why we are where we are now)
• Writing intervention for students writing on a 3rd to 5th grade level and who could not pass the state test
• Credit recovery with some tough customers
• I led teams as well as my department

I have coached for 10 years:

• Basically, being an instructional coach means being a teacher to teachers even though I still consider myself a teacher.
• I coach teachers in learning design and help teachers to learn how to teach in increasingly authentic ways. In addition to coaching, I have led many professional development trainings covering the essentials of project-based learning.
• I have led countless writing trainings as well as coached individual teachers and teams of teachers in writing instructions. As a coach, I have been successful in aligning writing in English departments across the secondary schools in my district.
• As a result of the success I have had with writing alignment, data is showing that the writing alignment and program is working. As a result, my district has decided to adopt my writing program, K-12 and across all disciplines as we make a push to write across the curriculum.
• Over the years, I delivered many professional development trainings covering topics like differentiation, support for struggling learners, rubric development, rigor in the classroom, learning as an experience, and more.
• In addition to coaching teachers, I coach students as a tutor and have been successful in helping many to accomplish their learning goals as well as required goals, including passing the state language arts test.
• As a coach, my position requires the fulfillment of other major tasks, such as conference planning and implementation, curriculum writing, supporting PLCs, new professional orientations, beginning of year training, summer learning planning, and whatever instruction and professional development related tasks pop up in between.

I have tutored for 25 years:

• For over two decades, I have worked one-on-one with individuals, from children to adults, to strengthen their writing as well as their confidence.
• Most of my tutoring work has been with students who have particular challenges when it comes to learning and processing. In every case thus far, we have been successful in growing their abilities in writing and critical thinking.
• Working one-on-one is a privilege and one of my greatest joys. I am always invested in my students’ growth of skills as well as helping them to feel good about their growth and abilities.
• I have also spent much time helping students who are applying to college with writing their college essays.

Accomplishments:

• Developed a method and philosophy for teaching writing that first aligned writing at the high school in our district and has now become the language of teaching writing in all of our middle schools. The philosophy is now making it into the elementaries.
• Produced and Co-Organized five, licensed TEDx Events; editing for video submissions.
• Worked with Vietnam Veterans on large-scale project involving students (multiple years).
• I have written and self-published a couple of books.
• I am currently learning screen writing.
• A legacy of students who have gone on to lead their lives full with opportunity to fulfill their potentials.

I bring into my teaching the range of what I have learned, including these highlights in my training:

• Authentic Leaning Experiences (through Advanced Learning Partnerships)
• PLC training (through Solution Tree)
• Coaching teams training (through Solution Tree)
• Dare to Lead (Train the Trainer; Brene Brown's conscious leadership training)
• Advanced Placement Summer Institute + years of AP conferences
• 7 SXSW EDU Conferences (countless sessions), presenting at one

Over the years, I have delivered training across a wide range of topics:

• Authentic Learning Experiences (teacher training, 2x per year for 6 years)
• Teaching Writing with TDEC (have taught teachers and teams for over 10 years)
• Transforming Writing with Process Revisions
• 3 Reads Reading Strategy
• Gauging Learning with Rubrics
• Upping the Learning: Portfolios and Projects Using Google Products
• Team Leadership
• Classroom Culture for New Teachers 

"Tara Banton is a writer, an educator and an artist. She is passionate about these crafts, and she continually hones them by analyzing her own work as well as the field of work in general, striving always to improve.

Ms. Banton writes and teaches writing in a structure that combines technicality with creativity. Through the analysis of many excellent writers, she discovered the elements of information that make writing good and the organization that makes it clear. She then teaches others how to teach writing well.

It is a trustworthy method of teaching writing because she has data to prove that her students improved significantly as she introduced this system of teaching. My own experience using her methods have been extremely successful. I taught writing for years using various popular methods, but I did not feel successful and did not see measurable growth. Over the last 3 years, I have used the TDEC method, and my students’ improvements are obvious, measurable and sustainable. I feel like a successful writing teacher now.

In essence Ms. Banton’s writing pedagogy is similar to her leadership style. She gives technical guidance, looking for data-driven growth in teachers and students while at the same time providing the space and individuality for an artistic interpretation and application in the classroom. She focuses on growth and personal improvement for every individual." 

— Cassie W.

“Tara possesses a warm and intuitive approach to teaching and coaching humanities, which resonates deeply with her students and teachers. Her attention to detail and ability to construct meaningful, real-world learning experiences make her an invaluable asset to our educational community. She excels in creating engaging discussions and projects that not only educate but also inspire our students. Tara's genuine connection with each student enhances their learning journey, making every lesson a memorable and impactful experience. Her successful methods and compassionate guidance have left a lasting impression on all who have the pleasure of working with her, and she leaves everyone better off for knowing her.”

— Dana B.

“When it comes to coaching, Tara takes the time to figure out what you and your instructional team needs. She works to learn what strengths each instructor brings to the classroom so that the coaching she provides works toward building and enhancing what teachers are already good at rather than implementing a coaching style that identifies weaknesses, which avoids positioning the teacher as an individual that needs to be fixed or corrected. She also brings a student-centered focus to her work, so while she may be coaching and working with teachers, the ultimate goal is to enhance student learning.”

— Austin F.