Tamara is so excited to join Sarasota Rising, where she can utilize her entrepreneurial skills and background as a professional youth educator. Tamara’s has 20 years of experience as the business owner and Children’s Theatre Program Director with Drama Kids of Manasota. Tamara served over 350 students per year throughout Sarasota and Manatee Counties and earned the $150K Achievement Award multiple years in a row with Drama Kids International. In addition, Drama Kids of Manasota was voted Reader’s Choice for Best After-School Program by Florida Family Magazine. Tamara is also a local actress and resource teacher who loves working with young people. She has additional experience as a Thespians Adjudicator, “Embracing our Differences” volunteer, and was Fruitville Elementary’s PTO Volunteer Coordinator. Finally, Tamara enjoyed being an active Big Sister of Big Brothers/ Big Sisters for seven years, and a volunteer “Big Buddy” for The Mark Wandall Foundation. Prior to moving to Sarasota, Tamara worked as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Cameroon, West Africa, where she met her husband, Mike. She looks forward to bringing her knowledge of the arts, youth organizations and the education community together at Sarasota Rising.