Tamara is the Chief Executive Officer of Quality Education Academy (QEA), the premier public charter school on the east coast, leading the state of NC in service and culturally-responsive education. While teaching Pre-K through 12th grade for twenty-two years and becoming a school principal for 15 years, Mrs. Turner mentored the youth social activist group “TRUTH Movement.”  In this group she encourages young people to become empowered through civic engagement and community uplift.  

 

After teaching from 1999 to 2005 in Guilford Country and Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools, Tamara  obtained a bachelors in elementary education, and a masters in School Administration from NC Agricultural and Technical State University. From 2005 to 2018 she taught middle and high school English while being an NC licensed school principal. In 2019, Dr. Turner launched QEA’s Community Engagement Team as the Chief Development Officer. As the Chief Development Officer, Dr. Turner helped QEA secure sizable grants and increase enrollment. Tamara earned her doctorate in Organizational Development and Change from Fielding Graduate University. Besides advising “TRUTH Movement” Dr. Turner is most buoyed by such social justice work as being a contributor to the 2017 Dikaiosune Social Justice Symposium, NC Triad Think Tank Facilitator, and contributor to the Carl Spain Center on Race Studies and Spiritual Action.

 

Tamara enjoys reading, studying history and how it relates to present-day social issues, writing poetry, songs, raps, blogs, essays, making music, and spending time with her husband of 23 years, Robert. Dr. Turner is a teen and women’s bible teacher for the past 25 years at Sharpe Road church of Christ. She is a proud member of the gospel group Soul Purposed with whom she has ministered in song for over 30 years. Tamara has authored one book, Still Green, a rap EP “Freshman Year,” and many gospel songs. 

 

If you have ever talked to Dr. Turner for more than three minutes, you have discovered that she is super passionate about helping our scholars become proud of their indigenous culture. The model of QEA is built on this idea that pride in one’s culture provides a foundation for academic and emotional growth. QEA is leading the way in culturally-responsive education and social-emotional learning!

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Want to learn a little more about CEO Tamara Turner? Read about her research on QEA: https://www.proquest.com/docview/2437511297?pq-origsite=gscholar&fromopenview=true

 

Enjoy an editorial article about her experience teaching ELA at QEA:

“Black Kids Made Me Quit Teaching” https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/black-kids-made-me-quit-teaching-english-tamara-turner-tamara-turner