Reflecting on 10 years of magic

2014. It was the pivotal year I was contemplating escaping education. I had lost my joy for a profession I once loved. A set of ipads and an edtech conference began a series of steps to rediscover my joy for teaching and unlock a magic I'd never experienced. Today as I take a moment to reflect on the past ten years, I am humbled and filled with gratitude for every person who has showered me with encouragement, provided me with opportunities, challenged me to take risks I never dreamed of, and believed in my full potential. The past 10 years have been magical, but I dare to dream that a new era of magical possibility is just beginning.

2014:
Ipads entered my culinary arts classroom.
Attended my first two edtech conferences
Discovered Teacher Twitter
2015:
Began disrupting what learning looked like in my classroom.
Wrote my first blog post.
Began co-hosting #XPLAP Twitter Chat with Michael Matera.
2016:
Began taking big leaps by embracing innovation and connecting with educators from around the world.
My gamified culinary adventures began.
Presented at my first edtech conference.
2017:
Fueled by a renewed joy and passion for education, I embraced the power of play in my classroom and committed to tell my story. Signed my first book contract with Dave Burgess Consulting.
GratitudeSnaps with Tara Martin was born.
Delivered my first conference keynote at Washington Family and Consumer Science Conference.
2018:
My first book, Make Learning Magical was born!!
Recipient of the Medford School District Golden Pear Secondary Educator Award
1st place winner of the Henry Ford Innovation Nation Educator Award
Began a new adventure as a district Tech Integration Specialist in the Medford School District.
2019:
The Make Learning Magical Podcast was born.
Celebrated 100 blog posts
2020:
Found Magic in the Midst of the Madness.
Interviewed many amazing guests on the Make Learning Magical podcast
2021:
Created new games for remote learning, Blended like Mary Poppins
Said goodbye to a magical educator and friend, KathiSue Summers
2022:
Began consulting for Canva for Education.
My son, Tommy Richmond, and I signed our first children’s book contract with Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc.
Co-founded Southern Oregon CUE with Lisa Yamashita
Earned my Principal license through Southern Oregon University
2023:
Moved fully into educational consulting.
Began the Spark Joy in EDU podcast with my friend and colleague, Elisabeth Bostwick.
Collaborated and published the EduProtocols Companion Guide, Book 1 with Jon Corippo and Marlena Hepbern through Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc.
Our children's book, Dragon Smart, is born!
2024:
The year of the dragon! I will be presenting with my son, Tommy, for the first time at IdeaCon 2024!
​Excited for a year of new opportunities and magical adventures!

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