Siouxland Magazine - Volume 3 Issue 5

succeed
contribute
develop
TaRae Gardner
Educator with Sioux City Community Schools
(Unity Elementary)
Owner, Paris Gardner Trucking, LLC
Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant
What are you working on now?
Currently, I am a teacher in the Sioux City Community
Schools and actively involved on my schools Balance
Leadership Team, Teacher Leadership and Compensation
steering committee for Sioux City Schools, Intermediate
Director for Sioux City Education Association, Siouxland
Unit UniServe (SUU) President, and Iowa State Education
Association (ISEA) multicultural committee representative
for Siouxland. Also, I am currently a member of Sioux
City’s Eastern Star chapter, Harmony Chapter #22, Order
of the Eastern Stars, Jurisdiction of Iowa. These groups
provide wonderful opportunities to give back and improve
Siouxland in various ways. I have volunteered at many
non-profit organizations, given school supplies, Siouxland
Soldiers, “Holiday for Heroes,” working with youth at my
church, and mentoring Siouxland young educators.
What is your vision for the future?
My vision is to reach out into our community to increase
ethnic minority membership and leadership at all levels
and to improve educational and cultural opportunities for
ethnic and minorities.
What would you like to see happen in Siouxland?
I would like to see more organizations become more
diversified. At the same time, have a retention program
in place to improve Siouxland growth. Also, I would like
to see this program culture and nurture the relationship of
young professionals from their education journey to continue
throughout their career journey.
What are you doing to make that happen?
I am continuing to build partnerships with our neighborhood
businesses/organizations. Our school has partnered with our
neighborhood fire department. Also, I am a mentor to educators
for the Sioux City Community Schools. Plus, SUU mentors
educators in Siouxland. The ISEA Multicultural Committee has
created a Facebook page. Harmony Chapter #22, Order of the
Eastern Star gives out scholarships to college students. I am
devoted to religious, charitable, and educational purposes. I
strive for excellence through education, training, dedication,
and commitment.
How can people help you make that happen?
People can help by providing a platform and/or an avenue for
Siouxland business to come into schools to build a cultivating
relationship/partnership. Siouxland organizations have a
diversified program to bridge the gap between recruiting
college students and young professionals in the workforce.
Connections and relationships are very important to encourage
and show others we care about them.
What is the most important key to success?
The key to success is to have a growth mindset and be a lifelong
learner. Learning involves having an open mind, listening,
and exploring.
What is one challenging life experience that taught
you something you’ve been able to use to your benefit
or to the benefit of others?
Growing up, I never had to face any real challenges in life
until I became an adult. After graduating from college and
entering the workforce, I realized very quickly I have to work
harder in comparison to my colleagues. I noticed that being of
color in the workforce, I continuingly have to prove my worth
as a leader in my leadership roles. This taught me to be more
observant and have a clear vision of my goals.
Volunteer Organizations
Building Leadership Team
Teacher Leadership and Compensation steering committee
for Sioux City Schools
Intermediate Director for Sioux City Education Association
Siouxland Unit UniServe (SUU) President
Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) multicultural
committee representative for Siouxland
Member of Sioux City’s Eastern Star chapter, Harmony
Chapter #22, Order of the Eastern Stars, Jurisdiction of IA
Provide services to many non-profit organizations
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”