Mrs. Tarkington is beginning her 5th year at Valley View Jr. High, her 5th year at Valley View High School and her 10th year teaching. She is a proud alumni of the Valley View School District. While under Mrs. Tarkington's direction the VVJHS Choirs had a very successful 2019-2020, 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023 choir seasons, placing many students in the All Region Honor Choirs over the years. Under the direction of Mrs. Tarkington the Valley View Jr. High Choirs consistently make Superior and Excellent Ratings at the Northeast Arkansas Choral Performance Assessment. Mrs. Tarkington previously directed the choirs at Nettleton Jr. High where they competed annually at the Region 1 All-Region tryouts and clinic, consistently placing students in the All-Region Choir; and received Division I Superior Ratings in concert and sight-reading at Choral Performance Assessment. Mrs. Tarkington is also the Jr. High Musical Director at VVJHS as well as the Jr. High Thespian Troupe Director. Over the past 5 year, the VVJHS choir and theater programs teamed up to perform Frozen Jr. and Into the Woods Jr. and Newsies Jr.  which  were  great successes  thanks to our amazing students and hard working staff! 

Mrs. Tarkington was recently awarded the ArkCDA Region 1 Junior High Distinguished Director of the year for 2020-2021. This would not have been possible without our amazing students, administration and a very supportive district! 

 Born in Jonesboro AR; Mrs. Tarkington resided in Jonesboro for 19 years, where she graduated from Valley View High School and currently lives. Mrs. Tarkington's high school accomplishments include Arkansas All-State Choir (2 years), Recipient of the J&B Choral Excellence Award, Northeast Arkansas All-Region Choir (4 years), Valley View National Thespian, and Soprano section leader 2007-2008. 

 In the fall of 2013 Mrs. Tarkington  graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Vocal Music Education the University of Central Arkansas in Conway AR. During her studies at UCA, Mrs. Tarkington conducted, performed, and served as section leader with the University of Central Arkansas Chamber Singers, and Concert Choir. Mrs. Tarkington is a proud alumni of Sigma Alpha Iota Women’s Music Fraternity where she served as Vice President of Ritual, and President during her membership in Zeta Chi at the University of Central Arkansas!  

Mrs. Tarkington is married to her wonderful husband Xavier and  has one beautiful 8-year-old little girl, Danielle who will be in Third Grade at Valley View this year! Mrs. Tarkington is looking forward to getting the year started and working with our amazing students  at VVHS and  VVJHS! Go Blazers!