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Administrators
Dr. Monica Tatum is a proud product of Dallas Independent School District and a graduate of Bryan Adams High School. Go Cougars! She is a first-generation college graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Texas A& M University-Commerce with a Master of Education in Educational Administration, and Abilene Christian University with a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership. As a lifelong learner, Dr. Tatum strives to ensure that all students have equitable opportunities to discover the power of education while developing a genuine love for learning.
Dr. Tatum began her career in the Dallas Independent School District as a kindergarten teacher at Charles A. Gill Elementary in 2002 where she also taught second, fifth, and sixth grade. In 2006, she continued teaching at C.A. Tatum Jr. elementary where she developed a passion for first grade Reading as she believed in its ability to open the doors to all content areas for students. Her journey continued outside of the classroom in 2014 as a Reading Campus Instructional Coach at Margaret B. Henderson Elementary. During this time, Dr. Tatum discovered a deeper purpose in supporting and coaching teachers for success to further impact student learning and achievement. She was also able to further expand her knowledge of curriculum and instruction while helping lead Henderson to multiple state distinctions in Reading.
In 2018, Dr. Tatum began her leadership path in administration. She transitioned to Irving Independent School District to become an Assistant Principal at Lee Britain Elementary. Dr. Tatum played an integral role in leading Britain’s turnaround efforts as they improved from being an F rated campus to earning a B from the state. It was during her time in Irving ISD that Dr. Tatum witnessed the transformative power of equipping students with data and the intangible power of self-monitoring for growth. In 2022, she returned to Dallas ISD and continued the Assistant Principalship at Annie Webb Blanton Elementary, an ACE campus. At Blanton, Dr. Tatum continued to focus on her desire to develop student literacy while ensuring students were reading on grade level.
Now embarking on her 23rd year in education, Dr. Tatum stands on the principles of culturally responsive teaching as the focal point of student success, both academically and from the social emotional learning perspective. She truly believes, “Something very magical happens in those classrooms where skilled and caring adults who celebrate diversity are committed to truly inclusive teaching and learning.” According to Dr. Tatum, students’ cultures, languages, experiences, learning modalities, and differences should not be considered deficits, but as assets to the learning community with which she seeks to empower them for success, both within and beyond the walls of the classroom.
(972) 794-1708