Qualifications
Degrees & Certifications
Degrees
PhD in Education for Social Justice
University of San Diego, 2024 (expected)Masters of Fine Arts in Poetry
University of New Orleans, 2014Masters of Educational Leadership
Northern Arizona University, 2000Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Arizona State University, 1997Arizona State University, 1997Certifications
Arizona Department of Education
- Principal K-12
- English 6-12
- Special Education LD, ID, ED K-12
- ESL K-12
Future Ready Schools Certificate
EdTech Team, 2016Certificate of Educational Technologies
COETAIL SUNY Buffalo, 2013Google Apps for Education
Memberships & Affiliations
Leader of NESA Member Schools since 2005; served on Professional Development Advisory Committee (PDAC) 2014-2018
Academy of International School Heads
Member since 2016
Association for the Advancement of International Education
Member since 2019
Head of School at an ISS Managed School since 2018
Compassion Summit Co-Founder, 2016
Served on Digital Storytelling Network 2012-2017
COETAIL Graduate 2013; COETAIL Coach 2014 - 2018
Google EdTech& Future Ready Schools
2013-present
Commendations
from Colleagues...
I would like to thank you for creating an environment where we feel valued, empowered, and most importantly, we feel at home.
Thank you for the thoughtful note. It is also a pleasure to work with you. Your relentless quest for excellence is inspiring and pushes me to grow and learn. I look forward to another exciting year.
Thank you for taking the time to sit down and chat, I really appreciate your leadership. I have grown as an educator this year and I have RVIS to thank for that. Once again thank you kindly for all you've done.
I feel so safe when talking to you. I really appreciate you as person and We are lucky to have you as a leader. Thank you for all you do.
Thank you again for always recognizing what we do and showcasing. It is wonderful for morale!
Anytime ASKers remember the school, you're held in high regard. Tara, you've encouraged and taught so many educators. Be proud of your work!
Thank you for providing such a positive environment, teaching me that there is always scope for improvement and being such a great inspiration
I learn so much from you and find great value in our time together.
Thanks for everything! I hope you know how valuable you are to the entire ASK community! I appreciate being able to come in and speak with you, both as a parent and as a teacher. I always feel better after talking to you.
I just wanted to thank you for all your suggestions during today’s meeting. I have already revised my Honors English reading schedule for AQWF so that the students have to read larger chunks, but are given more time to do so. I can already tell that this method will make our in-class activities more engaging and more meaningful.
I really enjoy the weekly notes and news updates, I literally have my calendar next to me as I read and I find it really informative and helpful! Thanks for doing this so often.
Thanks for the suggestion about short time limits on the bellwork. All of my kids are in class 3 minutes before passing time is over. It’s like teacher heaven.
You've helped me grow as a teacher and leader.
Thank you so much for the kind note. I especially respect and value your feedback and how you have encouraged me to develop as a teacher and technology guru.
I just wanted to also mention that I have never, at any job in my life, felt as supported as I do here. It is a true blessing and I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate it.
A collection of poems written by ISG colleagues upon my departure; the collaborative work we engaged in across the system was phenomenal
from Students...
Dear my lovely high school mentor,
I could start this off formally with the hello's and the how are you's, BUT I'm not gonna cause I'm too excited. I MISS YOU. Like I really do, and I miss school so much I wish I could come back :( i'm loving it here though its so chill and my classes+my professors are great so its really cool how every things working out. Hows everything with you? hows mia? hows school? ms. ness? the secretaries? i know the email lacks grammar and punctuation and it might get on your nerves but i was debating whether to email you tonight or tmw because im so tired and i wanna sleep but i decided to email you today cause now youre gonna get it and read it in your office during school hours and your gonna be like "Oh!" Anyway, i just wanted to check in and say hi and let you know that i miss you
Dear Mrs. Waudby
I hope you remember me. I am now at Fishburne Military School in Virginia and i am graduating this year so that is good news. My grades here are really good. i just wanted to thank you for all the support and everything that you did for me. I would not have been where i am today if it was not for all of you .You , Mrs.Ness and Dr.Mitchell believed in me and i thank you all for that . I will be back in Kuwait next week and i will come and visit for sure. again , thank you for everything.
Dear Ms. Waudby,
I hope this email finds you well.
I was watching a movie with my girlfriend and they show a scene of the principle and I remembered you. Next thing I realize I get notified on my phone on something you tweeted on Twitter. Long life indeed. I just wanted to touch base and say hi, it’s been awhile and you were never forgotten for all your time, efforts and care you have put towards us during our time in ASK which contributed significantly on who we are today. Thank you very much for everything and I hope you are doing very well.
from Parents...
Thank you for your kind words and for allowing me to be a part of this great day! You are doing such a fantastic job running this amazing school!
Thank you for everything, for your efforts for leading the school's transformation. I cannot be more proud to be part of RVIS.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you very much for being the kind, gentle, loving and caring lady towards our children and ourselves. You kept us going through your messages during virtual school. You were always there to take a phone call or a question and for this and more we thank you. Thank you is not enough to convey to you our appreciation of the love, care, time, effort and energy that you put into everything that you do. We have thoroughly enjoyed this journey with you and look forward to carrying on our journey with you. Wishing you and your family a wonderful summer and hoping to see you very soon once COVID blows over!
I was very proud to see RVIS’s graduation all over the news yesterday. I wanted to congratulate you, Jo and everyone at RVIS for the wonderful work you have done for the school. 2020 was an unusual year, but the challenges were well managed at RVIS. Congratulations from the bottom of my heart and I wish you and everyone at RVIS the very best.
You have brought happiness and joy to our hearts, as parents, and to our students. Once again, thank you very much for your great efforts. I am proud to be a member of this great RVIS community.
I just had to send you a note letting you know how informative and welcoming my husband and I found this newsletter to be. As parents, we appreciate everything you do for our children and the other students at ASK. This email emphasizes how compassionate you are as educators. Thanks again for all you do! You are truly a superb administrator!
When my son arrived after school yesterday, the first thing he wanted to tell me about was your conversation with him. What you told him made a very positive impression. Thank you for taking the time to highlight his efforts to find the path to balance and success. Positive feedback from you meant a lot.
Thank you for your feedback. I wish that I had a teacher like you; our kids are is in safe hands.
I think you are a wonderful, caring person and we feel very fortunate having you take part in educating our three kids.