On Monday, January 2, 2023, Chief Academic Officer and veteran faculty member Tamara Stamey passed away after 27 years of working in the Watauga County Schools system. Remembered for her incredible spirit and excellent leadership, Tamara Stamey's impact on her community is extraordinary.
Friends and colleagues of Tamara Stamey remember her incredible character, her love of students, and her passion for how she lived her life and all her work.
"She taught me so much about how children learn in Kindergarten through 3rd grade. She taught me a great deal about what the early years of a student's education should look like as they grow and develop," said Meredith Jones, the WCS Director of Middle Grades Education. "As I have had my children, those things she taught me have made me a better parent and helped me to navigate their early years of life."
Dr. Scott Elliott, the Superintendent of WCS, remembers Tamara for her love of students and how she was a reminder that hard things can be done with grace.
"I would like Ms. Stamey to be remembered for her love of students. No matter her roles throughout her career, she always preferred to be with students and always kept them at the center of her decision-making," said Elliott. "She was a reminder to me that we can do very hard things but still do them with grace. She also always encouraged me that she knew I had very hard decisions to make and that doing the right thing was always more important than being liked or accepted."
Meredith Jones further emphasized Tamara's love for students across Watauga County Schools.
"Her strongest contribution was a million moments, many of which most people never saw or heard about, where she did work behind the scenes to support teachers and students," said Jones. "It was in every conversation where someone needed her support. It was in her decisions that were always focused on what was best for students. It was in her visits to classrooms to spend time with school staff and students. It was in the way she removed barriers for people to make their work more streamlined, it was the sum total of how day in and day out. She showed up to make education in WCS better."
Beyond excelling in the various positions she held across WCS, from a teacher at Mabel School to the school district's Chief Academic Advisor, Tamara was a role model of professionalism.
"Mrs. Stamey was an example for everyone," said Dr. Stephen Martin, the Assistant Superintendent and Human Resources Director for WCS. "She started as a teacher at Mabel School and continued to advance through her career as an assistant principal at WHS, principal at Parkway, elementary school director, and eventually the Chief Academic Officer for the district. This demonstrates how no matter where you start in your career or life, you can achieve your goals and accomplish great things."
Tamara's selflessness was expansive and giving back to her community was something she did without hesitation. In remembrance of Tamara and her legacy, the Tamara Stamey Memorial Fund has raised over $18,205 for educators in WCS pursuing their National Board Certification.
"She earned her National Board Certification and then paid it forward multiple times, helping other teachers in Watauga accomplish that same goal," said Martin.
Tamara Stamey was a faithful friend, an example for everyone, and an outstanding educator and leader.
"She used to describe her role as Chief Academic Officer as to make sure that every student, teacher, and family has what they need to learn, every day," said Jones. "That is what she did every day."
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