Tara Hatami

How does PiE funding make a difference at your school? I believe it has made an enormous impact, especially considering that every family and child has different needs. Within the school setting, it has created a unique experience by providing students with access to support and resources that help them perform better—not just as students, but as whole individuals. The ability to address academic concerns through a whole-person lens is possible because we can offer mental health support and consider various external factors that influence learning.

This approach has also taught students that their well-being is valued. Additionally, it impacts the entire classroom. When there’s an environment that fosters differentiated teaching and learning, both students and teachers benefit by being able to participate more intentionally and productively. For students who require extra academic support—which is true for everyone in some form—we are able to offer tailored modalities that meet a wide range of learning styles.

Classrooms become spaces where hands-on learning and individualized attention build student confidence. Learners are encouraged to explore their passions and interests in various subjects, and, more importantly, they begin to understand how they learn best. The overarching message I believe PiE’s funding has delivered is that learning is not linear, and neither is life. Students develop a growth mindset and discover that when you are learning with passion—from someone who is passionate about teaching and supporting you—anything is possible. Opportunities become limitless.

At the elementary level, fostering this approach to learning is crucial for development. The milestones students are expected to reach are directly influenced by their environment, which shapes their psyche. Their minds are incredibly malleable and impressionable at this stage, so setting them up for success emotionally, academically, and socially is essential. PiE plays a significant role in helping students embrace and celebrate individuality in themselves and others, building confidence, encouraging healthy emotional expression, and promoting acceptance and creativity.

What I find most rewarding is that I have the ability to inspire—and to be inspired. My work is priceless; it has given me a deep sense of purpose. I’ve come to understand more than ever that while working with children impacts their development, their healthy development also profoundly influences my work. When I provide support to students, I’m giving them the freedom to learn more about themselves, and in doing so, we create a space that empowers them to grow into individuals capable of changing the world.