Linda Waidler, Lead Teacher:   Linda has lived in Santa Fe for the past 25 years.  She raised two daughters who now are attending college and graduate school.  She attended the University of Northern Colorado and began her career in education in the Cherry Creek School District, teaching year-round school in the late 1970s.  Linda has developed many educational programs:  the first multi-age classroom in a Santa Fe Public School; an alternative school serving students 8-15 years old in multi-age classrooms; and a home school learning environment to serve two students with multiple learning challenges.  Linda joined the Tara School in the fall of 2008.

Linda creates a classroom in which choices are provided, allowing students to learn according to their unique learning style.  Children move from easier to more advanced material at their own pace.  Students respect each other’s differences.  Academic excellence is not compromised during this process, it is only enhanced, providing students unlimited learning opportunities.

Parents have asked, “but will my child learn to read . . .write . . . spell???  How?”

Linda believes that learning must take place through self-motivation and self-regulation.  Every child has a natural curiosity that allows him or her to develop abilities and talents and to pursue interests unique to that child.  Motivation will come from accomplishment itself; a self-motivated student has a desire to master whatever he is learning and will constantly check himself to see that the desire is being fulfilled.  She trusts that each student is the best judge of his own efforts.  The teacher therefore becomes a facilitator to provide information and support.  Learning then becomes a process the student does . . . not a process done to the student.  Learning, thinking, actively using one’s mind and one’s body, is the essence of being human. 

 
Tamara Mott, Educational Assistant:  Tamara earned a BFA from Montana State University in 1989 with a major in Fine Arts and a minor in Early Childhood/Elementary Education.  For the past twenty years, Tamara has worked with children in Montessori, Waldorf, and Reggio classrooms.  She has also been an aide for special needs children. At the Tara School, Tamara provides back-up to Linda four days per week and provides quiet support to the school in infinite ways.

Natalia "Natasha" Lagovskaya, after care, Spanish teacher:   Natasha was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia.  She graduated from the State Pedagogical University with a degree in Childhood Education and Psychology and a minor in Teaching Foreign Languages.  She moved to the United States in 1995.  Natasha was the manager and lead teacher at the Montessori Discovery School and a lead teacher at Reach the Children.  She has substituted in the public schools, worked as a private tutor and taught Russian at St. John's College.   On stints back to her native Russia, Natasha teaches education classes at the State Universities.  Besides bringing a great sense of fun to Tara’s aftercare program, Natasha teaches Spanish at the school and has made remarkable progress with our students.

Tara children are unique learners, and the best teachers of all.