Tara Mathis

Background

About Tara Mathis

Authentic, genuine and purposeful.these are the words that best describe me! I received my Bachelor's Degree from Brandeis University with a major in Sociology and minors in African and African American Studies and Legal Studies. I received my Master’s Degree in Applied Psychology, with a concentration in School Counseling from New York University. I earned my permanent certification for school counseling in New York State in 2012. During my counseling tenure, I have served as a College Advisor/Guidance Counselor/College Counselor with several different New York City high schools and one charter high school. From 2015 to 2020, I served as the Postsecondary Planning Coordinator at Harvest Collegiate High school, a NYS consortium high school that graduated its first cohort of students in June 2016. I helped the school maintain 98% of each senior cohort applying to and matriculating into 2 and 4 year colleges. I also participated in various professional development opportunities with the DOE's Office of Post Secondary Readiness (OPSR). I have also served as an expert facilitator with the DOE's College Access for All Initiative (CA4A), supporting adult learning during summer institutes for school staff to implement change projects to increase college access and post-secondary planning at their respective high schools. For the 2018-2019 academic year, I participated in the College Access for All Leadership Fellowship for talented public-school educators who wish to develop their skills to lead a team as they engage in building a college and career going culture at their school. In September 2020, I transitioned into the role of Guidance Counselor at Brooklyn Technical High School. I have also served as the co-facilitator of the DOE's College and Career Council with the College and Career Planning Team. With this experience, I engaged in meaningful dialogue with inspirational, dynamic school leaders from various schools/networks within New York City and planned passion projects around mentorship, policy, and career development for NYC students. During the last few years, I have devoted time to practicing rest as resistance, and recently enrolled in a Somatic Healing certification course. I am redefining my happiness as it relates to mindfulness and mental well-being and celebrating "ME"!