Tara Stephens, Syracuse Arts Academy Junior High
Feb 28, 2026, 8:28 AM | Updated: Mar 3, 2026, 12:23 pm
“Tara Stephens doesn’t simply meet expectations—she shatters them.
True to our charter’s dedication to the arts, Tara transforms her classroom into a workshop of ideas and imagination.She weaves kinesthetic activities and art projects into her lessons, inviting students to learn not just with their minds, but with their hands and hearts. Through Socratic seminars and spirited debates, she pushes students beyond surface answers, challenging them to wrestle with ideas and sharpen their reasoning.
As a military veteran, Tara fosters patriotism in a way that allows for all voices to be heard. She anchors our commitment to military-connected students by overseeing our Purple Star School status with diligence and pride. As the founding faculty advisor for the Honor Guard, she leads students as they post the colors and open assemblies, games, and events with dignity—including ceremonies at the state capitol. Each year, she orchestrates a powerful, student-led Veterans Day assembly.
Tara leads with both vision and grit. As a former department chair, she strengthened her team and elevated expectations. She steers students toward writing competitions like the Patriot’s Pen contest, urging them to test their voices beyond the classroom walls. She has built and sustained a thriving debate program.
Yet her greatest impact may lie in the quiet, intentional ways she cares. At the start of each year, she sits down and handwrites a note to every student—small envelopes carrying big messages: You matter. I see you. I believe in you. This care extends to her fellow teachers and staff members.
Tara also mentors with generosity and grace. She reaches for new teachers before they have to ask, offering practical guidance, steady reassurance, and the kind of encouragement that turns uncertainty into confidence.
Clearly, Tara Stephens doesn’t just fulfill her job description—she stretches beyond it, expands it, and redefines it.”
-Gwen O Merrill
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