Inspiring Curiosity and Faith: A Day in Mrs. Tarkoff’s Middle School English Class

Stepping into an English Language Arts (ELA) classroom at Christ Lutheran School, you instantly feel a dynamic balance of joyful energy and thoughtful focus. At the heart of this environment is Mrs. Lisa Tarkoff, a National Board Certified Teacher and Fellow of the University of California – Irvine (UCI) Writing Project, whose teaching philosophy makes literature and writing come alive. Observing a typical lesson in her classroom offers a firsthand look at how dedicated instruction, strong structure, and unwavering faith combine to shape middle schoolers into confident, lifelong learners.

A Multi-Faceted Approach to Learning

Learning in Mrs. Tarkoff’s classroom is anything but passive. On any given day, students engage in a rich mix of interactive large-group debates, small-group breakouts, and deep dives into text. Mrs. Tarkoff uses a variety of narrative mediums and multimedia formats to ensure core writing and grammar concepts connect to daily life. Whether students are dissecting literary themes or exploring narrative structure, the goal is always clear: make language arts applicable to real-world scenarios.

Central to this academic success is structure. Middle school is a transformative time filled with rapid growth, curiosity, and questions. Recognizing that students in this age group thrive when they know what to expect, Mrs. Tarkoff intentionally builds routine into her daily schedule. This consistency gives students the freedom and confidence to take intellectual risks, explore complex ideas, and push beyond their comfort zones.

Faith and Encouragement at the Core

While academic rigor is a hallmark of her classroom, faith is the foundation. For Mrs. Tarkoff, who completed Bible Colloquy coursework through Concordia University, teaching in a Lutheran school is far more than a career; it is a calling and a ministry. She seamlessly weaves Gospel narratives and character traits like respect directly into the curriculum.

This faith-centered environment translates into a remarkably supportive student culture. During a recent classroom observation, a student was working through a particularly challenging concept at the board. Rather than sitting in quiet frustration, classmates chimed in with genuine encouragement: “You can do all things through Christ!” It was a spontaneous, beautiful reflection of how deeply scripture and mutual support are ingrained in the culture Mrs. Tarkoff fosters.

Empowering Students Through Habits of Mind

As a certified educator in Habits of Mind (Institute for Habits of Mind, n.d.), Mrs. Tarkoff uses the framework to establish a shared language for problem-solving, critical thinking, and empathy in her classroom. Rather than treating these behaviors as isolated skills, she models them daily to shape instructional practice and classroom expectations. Middle school is an ideal stage for this approach, as students are naturally developing higher-level reasoning and self-awareness. Mrs. Tarkoff leverages that developmental window to challenge students beyond a standard one-size-fits-all curriculum, guiding them to ask deeper questions and apply their God-given talents.

Her focus on continuous development applies to her professional life as well. Having served as a classroom teacher, mentor, educational consultant, and trainer for international schools, Mrs. Tarkoff consistently applies the same habits of reflection and lifelong learning that she expects from her students.

Preparing Learners for the Future

Ultimately, Mrs. Tarkoff’s vision for her classroom extends far beyond test scores or high school readiness, though her students are being well-prepared for both. She strives to set them up for long-term success by helping them realize they have a distinct purpose in God’s world.

Outside the classroom, whether she is traveling, attending the theater, reading, or spending time with her husband, two adult sons, and two cats, Mrs. Tarkoff leads by example as a lifelong learner. That same passion fuels her work at Christ Lutheran School every day, creating a space where every student feels known, encouraged, challenged, and excited to grow.

Institute for Habits of Mind. (n.d.). Educating for a more thoughtful world. Retrieved September 17, 2026, from https://habitsofmindinstitute.org/