Room 233

Hi, I'm Tara Poole, and I am so excited to be joining the Odyssey Charter School family as a 5th-grade teacher! I am thrilled to be a part of this wonderful community and cannot wait to get to know all of our amazing Voyagers. My goal is to create a classroom that feels like a family—a warm, supportive space where every child feels safe, loved, seen, and valued. Together, we will use our SAIL values daily to grow as both strong learners and kind people.

I'm a graduate of Western Governors University with my Bachelor's in Elementary Education. I am passionate about using structured, explicit instruction alongside hands-on activities to help students make meaningful connections. Before stepping into my own classroom, I spent six rewarding years as a paraprofessional within the charter school system. This experience taught me so much about the power of building strong relationships and meeting students exactly where they are.

Prior to finding my calling in education, I spent 18 years as a flight attendant traveling the world. That chapter of my life taught me a lot about adaptability, communication, and connecting with people from all walks of life—skills I love bringing into my teaching!

Outside of the classroom, I love spending quality time with my family, especially cheering them on at their baseball games or watching the Houston Astros and Texans. I am also an avid adventurer who loves traveling anywhere with a beach; hiking; backpacking; kayaking; and anything Disney—so much so that our family's beloved black lab is named Disney!

I truly believe that a strong partnership between home and school is the ultimate foundation for student success. I can’t wait for a fantastic year ahead full of learning, laughter, teamwork, and growth!