When Tamara signed up to be a Reading Corps tutor, she didn’t imagine it would open the door to a new career. A stay-at-home mom for 15 years, she found purpose in raising her four children and teaching them at home. But as her kids grew more independent, she sought her next chapter. Tutoring led her there — and, ultimately, the Minnesota Grow Your Own Teacher (MNGOT) program gave her the tools to make teaching her profession.
This interview was conducted by our partners at ServeMinnesota.
Q: What first drew you toward tutoring and eventually toward teaching?
A: It started with my kids. I loved helping them learn to read — teaching decoding, practicing fluency, watching those “aha” moments. When they grew more independent, I missed that, and tutoring seemed like a natural fit. I started with Reading Corps at McKinley Elementary, right in my own community of Ham Lake. At first, I wasn’t even thinking about teaching. But the more time I spent with students, the more I realized how much they wanted to learn, and how much I loved helping them discover new things. That opened the door to considering teaching as a career.
Q: How did you learn about the MNGOT program?
A: I asked my Reading Corps coaching specialist for resources to help me improve as a tutor, and eventually she suggested I look into MNGOT. The idea of continuing to work in my school while earning my master’s and a license just blew my mind. It felt like such a big shift, but I knew it was right.
Q: What has been most valuable about your MNGOT experience?
A: The fieldwork has been amazing. I’ve spent more than 200 hours in classrooms, just observing, absorbing, and learning from incredible teachers. It’s like having a backstage pass to how schools really work. And because I’ve stayed at McKinley, I could build deeper relationships with staff, students, and families. That continuity gave me confidence.
Another key part of the program is the focus on self-care. Teaching is demanding, and MNGOT teaches us how to manage stress and avoid burnout. I’ve learned to speak kindly of myself, prioritize healthy routines, and let go of perfectionism. All of those skills make me not only a stronger teacher, but also a healthier person overall.
Q: What challenges have you faced going back to school after so many years?
A: Honestly, it was a big adjustment moving from being a full-time mom to balancing work, school, and family. The workload is heavy, especially in the summer, and I’ve had to accept that I can’t do everything perfectly. But I’ve also discovered that I’m capable of more than I thought. And that lesson — just doing the next thing instead of worrying about perfection — translates directly into teaching. Classrooms are unpredictable, and flexibility is everything!
Q: Can you share a story of a student who’s stayed with you?
A: There was a young student I tutored two years in a row. When we started, she was really struggling, but by the second year she was reading at grade level. Seeing her confidence grow, and realizing I had helped make that difference, was powerful. More recently, I worked with an outspoken student whose initial attitude about school was so negative that we were sure he would be a tough challenge — but he has become one of the hardest workers in class and was even given a special award by his teacher. Those moments remind me to always hold high expectations, because kids will rise to meet them when they know you believe in them.
Q: What would you say to someone who’s thinking about applying to MNGOT?
A: I’d say absolutely go for it! One of the best parts of MNGOT is that you can keep tutoring while earning your license, so you’re learning in a supportive environment you already know. The fieldwork gives you hands-on experience, the program prioritizes your well-being, and unlike most programs, you can earn a paycheck while student teaching. Plus, the program invites you to request a mentor teacher to work with, which makes the learning experience even more valuable.
Q: What’s ahead for you after you finish your master’s degree?
A: I’d love to be either a classroom teacher — ideally in one of the primary grades —or a reading interventionist. Both would let me keep doing what I love most: helping kids build confidence as readers and learners.
Q: Finally, why is literacy such a passion for you?
A: Because reading opens doors to everything else. Our world needs literacy more than ever, and I’m excited to help kids not only read well but also love it. There’s nothing better than watching their faces light up when they realize, “I understand this!” That’s why I’m here.