Tami has shown an avid interest in contributing to the 10,000+ students in the Wayzata schools.   She and her teammate, Joel Martin, have been asked to speak at District School Board Meetings, District Team Level Meetings, and School Staff Meetings about their successes in integrating technology into the classroom.    Joel and Tami created and co-taught an Academy course to teachers from seven Wayzata schools and across seven grades relating writing to building community within a classroom. The District Technology site showcases “Sound Production” and “Moodles and Blogs” by Tami’s students.  The Director of Technology, media specialists and teachers at Universities have shared her experiences in technology with others.  Among the many committees Tami has served on, she was also appointed as the only elementary school teacher to be on the Sabbatical Decision Making Committee and was selected to be on the District Language Arts Committee to pilot and contribute to the new Language Arts program.

Because of the deep connections Tami makes with students and their families, they continue to be an important part of her life even after they leave fifth grade. She has been honored at the Wayzata Trojan Football Faculty Appreciation Night, had former students come back as part of the Youth Extended Services program at the high school, and continued working with students on academics throughout high school.

Tami integrates her personal passions and interests into her teaching.   She uses her love of language and travel to communicate with Spanish speaking parents, to teach deeper concepts of vocabulary using American Sign Language, to share the excitement of writing  through technology,  and to encourage children in the dramatic arts through plays performed for the entire school, parents and grandparents.