Tara Vellinga

Partner of Instructional Assessment
Cherry Creek School District, CO

Tara Vellinga is a partner of instructional assessment with the Cherry Creek School District. With a passion for promoting excellence in education, she has dedicated her career to ensuring students receive high-quality instruction and equity-informed practices that support their academic growth.

Having served in various educational roles throughout her career, Vellinga brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her position. As a partner of instructional assessment, she plays a pivotal role in supporting educators' use of the district's comprehensive aligned assessment system and development of both assessment and data literacy. She collaborates with teachers and administrators to develop effective assessment practices that align with educational goals and standards. Vellinga also plays a central role in the development of the district’s MTSS Framework.

Her commitment to educational excellence extends beyond her role as a partner of instructional assessment. She actively engages with educators, providing professional development opportunities and support in educational equity and culturally responsive education. Her collaborative approach fosters a culture of continuous improvement, empowering educators to be deeply reflective and to be responsive to their students.

Vellinga has a master’s degree in elementary education from Regis University with endorsements in educational leader, culturally & linguistically diverse education, and elementary education K–6. She is the mother of three active children. She enjoys travel, cuisine, and cultural arts.