OUR BEGINNINGS WERE HUMBLE
Tara is an elementary school teacher and business owner, Cam was a police officer for 31 years and is now manager of the K9 unit for Metrolinx.. They were married in 2005 and had their 1st child in 2007, 2nd in 2009 and 3rd in 2011. Tara knew that once she became a mother, she wanted to be able to always be home for her children. Having one child with special needs, it meant that she had many mid-day appointments through the years. Being called at 6:00am to supply teach became very stressful, especially because daycare usually needed more than a day of notice. Therefore, Tara was open to opportunities to contribute to the household income.
In 2009 when her 2nd child, Jack was just 6 months old, she said yes to a home based business that she was quite closed to at first because it was a network marketing business (and many of us know how that business can sometimes be perceived or experienced when we have people who do the business in a way that is out of integrity). However, this time Tara decided to lead by example, to build an organization that was based on respect and inclusion. This business was the exact place where she learned about her potential and she began her journey towards self love and self respect. It wasn't all roses either...she realized that she had a lot of personal growth to accomplish (this never ends) and it was up to her to set boundaries so that she didn't end up being manipulated and to feel controlled again like she sometimes felt in her other careers (yes she worked a few other places for 5 years or more before and during the time she was an elementary school teacher). She was noticing a pattern, anytime she was an employee, she often felt under-appreciated and unfulfilled. She knew it was up to her to change inside before anything outside of her would change.
In the process of her shifting and growing herself, her oldest daughter was in grade 2 (2014) and was going through some of her own "fitting in" challenges. She began thinking she had to change who she was to "fit in" in order to please friends and Tara saw this immediately as her own mirror for what she was doing her best to break free from, herself. She knew that if she didn't begin teaching what she was learning to her own children, that her children could easily go down the same path of people pleasing, saying yes to things that are not aligned (just to fit in), to possibly eventually burn out at the expense of trying to be someone they are not.
This was when Moral Compass Kids was born!
As a family we discussed morals, values, ethics and beliefs. We discussed and created strategies together for believing in ourselves, trusting ourselves and looking within for answers rather than from outside sources. We learned how to use our voices (because they matter), we learned how to follow our heart and to respect ourselves and others for all of our differences. We spoke about self love, and so much more.
Today Tara and her children are still working on themselves while they now offer to support other children and teens (and adults) in their own journey to self awareness and strength.
This isn't a journey that happens overnight...it takes years - or maybe it never ends!
What we have to offer right now is only the scratch of the surface, but it is a wonderful start for anyone looking for clarity about themselves, understanding and respecting their own unique human being they see in the mirror daily. This is all about the INTERNAL work, not the external expectations or permissions. This concept of a healthy sense of self is woven into all work that Tara does with her students.
We are all so powerful within ourselves and we are capable of being anything we choose...and it all starts with some self awareness, self respect, belief in self, self love and following our own unique inner moral compass. Not only does Tara love helping children and teens to create a healthy sense of self, she also has a passion for helping struggling readers, with proven strategies that help them become successful readers. It is a fact (and there are multiple articles to support this) that when people struggle with literacy, it affects thier well being and self confidence. With mastery in literacy, we gain so much potential for our entire lifetime. Tara has been improving her skills through the Orton-Gillingham model for structured literacy. She obtained her level one training through an organization called Orton-Gillingham Online Academy in the fall of 2021 and in the spring of 2022 she will complete (level 2), intermediate training through an organization called IMSE (Institute for Multi-Sensory Education).
If you like what you experience with us, please share this forward.
Personal love and acceptance is just as important for life long learning and personal growth. Every human deserves this, not only adults where most personal growth/development courses are offered. Our children and youth deserve this too!
We look forward to growing with you and your child!
Tara
Hannah
Jack
Kate
In 2009 when her 2nd child, Jack was just 6 months old, she said yes to a home based business that she was quite closed to at first because it was a network marketing business (and many of us know how that business can sometimes be perceived or experienced when we have people who do the business in a way that is out of integrity). However, this time Tara decided to lead by example, to build an organization that was based on respect and inclusion. This business was the exact place where she learned about her potential and she began her journey towards self love and self respect. It wasn't all roses either...she realized that she had a lot of personal growth to accomplish (this never ends) and it was up to her to set boundaries so that she didn't end up being manipulated and to feel controlled again like she sometimes felt in her other careers (yes she worked a few other places for 5 years or more before and during the time she was an elementary school teacher). She was noticing a pattern, anytime she was an employee, she often felt under-appreciated and unfulfilled. She knew it was up to her to change inside before anything outside of her would change.
In the process of her shifting and growing herself, her oldest daughter was in grade 2 (2014) and was going through some of her own "fitting in" challenges. She began thinking she had to change who she was to "fit in" in order to please friends and Tara saw this immediately as her own mirror for what she was doing her best to break free from, herself. She knew that if she didn't begin teaching what she was learning to her own children, that her children could easily go down the same path of people pleasing, saying yes to things that are not aligned (just to fit in), to possibly eventually burn out at the expense of trying to be someone they are not.
This was when Moral Compass Kids was born!
As a family we discussed morals, values, ethics and beliefs. We discussed and created strategies together for believing in ourselves, trusting ourselves and looking within for answers rather than from outside sources. We learned how to use our voices (because they matter), we learned how to follow our heart and to respect ourselves and others for all of our differences. We spoke about self love, and so much more.
Today Tara and her children are still working on themselves while they now offer to support other children and teens (and adults) in their own journey to self awareness and strength.
This isn't a journey that happens overnight...it takes years - or maybe it never ends!
What we have to offer right now is only the scratch of the surface, but it is a wonderful start for anyone looking for clarity about themselves, understanding and respecting their own unique human being they see in the mirror daily. This is all about the INTERNAL work, not the external expectations or permissions. This concept of a healthy sense of self is woven into all work that Tara does with her students.
We are all so powerful within ourselves and we are capable of being anything we choose...and it all starts with some self awareness, self respect, belief in self, self love and following our own unique inner moral compass. Not only does Tara love helping children and teens to create a healthy sense of self, she also has a passion for helping struggling readers, with proven strategies that help them become successful readers. It is a fact (and there are multiple articles to support this) that when people struggle with literacy, it affects thier well being and self confidence. With mastery in literacy, we gain so much potential for our entire lifetime. Tara has been improving her skills through the Orton-Gillingham model for structured literacy. She obtained her level one training through an organization called Orton-Gillingham Online Academy in the fall of 2021 and in the spring of 2022 she will complete (level 2), intermediate training through an organization called IMSE (Institute for Multi-Sensory Education).
If you like what you experience with us, please share this forward.
Personal love and acceptance is just as important for life long learning and personal growth. Every human deserves this, not only adults where most personal growth/development courses are offered. Our children and youth deserve this too!
We look forward to growing with you and your child!
Tara
Hannah
Jack
Kate
MEET THE COOPERS - OUR CORE TEAM
Ms TaraFACILITATOR/TEACHER/OWNER
Tara has over 20 years of teaching experience. She is a mother of 3 and she has a BIG goal to help our children and youth become more self aware and confident with their potential.
Tara can also substitute for your class if you are a teacher in the SCDSB. Click here for more info. |
HannahYOUTH BUSINESS OWNER
Hannah is the reason we started MCK originally. She is hearing impaired and is determined to not let that stop her. She had her 1st business at the age of 9 and she started her 2nd business just before she turned 13. She also made a very adult decision on her own, at the age of 13 to go through with bilateral cochlear implant surgery, with confidence!
Click here for Banana's Beachy Bracelets Click here for Hannah Cares (pet sitting and babysitting) |
JackCREATIVE/DREAMER
Jack has been creative since he was able to hold a pencil or a paintbrush. He loves the idea of creating characters, naming them and figuring out their personality...he dreams of becoming an illustrator and creator for comics, books or movies someday.
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KateLEADER
Katelyn is the youngest of the Cooper Clan and she continues to teach us how to use our voice and stand up for what we believe in. She is a natural leader and she helps us understand the importance of honouring our differences...none of us are the exact same and this also means, we don't fit into a box. Never try to fit in, allow yourself to stand out and be yourself!
Soon to have her own business up and running - stay tuned. |
Tara has a psychology and business major for her BA, and B.Ed. for primary, junior, intermediate (kindergarten to grade 10)
She has additional qualifications in:
Additional training:
She has additional qualifications in:
- Reading Part 1 & 2 (Structured Literacy - Science of Reading)
- Computers in the Classroom (specialist)
- Librarianship/Teacher Librarian
- Special Education
- Family Studies (intermediate)
Additional training:
- Tara is also trained in the Orton-Gillingham Dyslexia reading, writing and spelling philosophy.
- Jack Canfield - The Success Principals online course (certification pending)
- Tony Robbins - Breakthroughs (self-paced courses about personal empowerment regarding business, relationships, personal success, personal responsibility etc. Tara will weave these philosophies into her Moral Compass Kids courses that she creates for students)