Prescott, Arizona (Dec. 11, 2025) – Yavapai Education Faculty Program Director and professor Dr. Tara O’Neill, who began as a part-time instructor in 2006 and upgraded to full-time in 2011, said that she is deeply fulfilled through her work in education. It shows. She previously taught for Tempe Elementary School District, Humboldt Unified, Chino Valley Unified, and Prescott Unified school districts.
Dr. O’Neill has taught Psychology, Early Childhood Education, English, GED, Education, and Student Success courses. She also served at Yavapai College’s Del E. Webb Family Enrichment Center lab school director.
Armed with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, and a PhD in Psychology, Dr. O’Neill said that she loves the autonomy and support that she’s received at Yavapai College.
“I have taught in-person, in districts, hybrid, and online,” Dr. O’Neill said. “I’ve used multiple learning management systems, managed and applied for grants, directed our lab school, and created and updated multiple open educational resources (OER) courses. I’ve had hundreds of students over the years and have enjoyed witnessing their successes. I’ve also been blessed to have a lot of wonderful coworkers. Every year is something new—new students, colleagues, initiatives, technologies, curriculum, conferences, ideas—I’m never bored.”
Dr. O’Neill said that child development and anything related to teaching children is going to impact everyone. Her students either have kids, will have kids, or will at some point in their lives interact with children. She said that understanding how kids develop and how to support their development is of critical importance.
A degree in education prepares students to work in certified classrooms— birth through grade 3 for Early Childhood Education, grades 6–12 for Secondary Education, K–8 for Elementary Education, said Dr. O’Neill. It also opens doors to roles such as a curriculum developer, coordinator, or trainer.
With further study, graduates can earn additional certifications in areas including special education, reading, speech therapy, school counseling, English language learning, social work, and administration. Dr. O’Neill said that many education majors go on to open charter schools or child-care centers, or pursue careers as educational consultants, literacy coaches, librarians, education policy analysts, researchers, advocates, higher-education instructors, professional development or corporate trainers, or specialized tutors.
“Studying education can be deeply nourishing, because it cultivates purpose and meaning, strengthens interpersonal skills, encourages lifelong learning, builds confidence and leadership, and broadens one’s worldview,” Dr. O’Neill said.
She explained that students in this area of study often feel a sense of contribution and impact helping other to learn and grow. Future educators learn patience, empathy, conflict resolution, and communication—skills that enrich both one’s professional and personal life.
Further, Dr. O’Neill said that Education programs expose students to psychology, pedagogy, sociology, and curriculum design, fostering intellectual curiosity. Leading a classroom or designing instruction helps people become strong leaders and problem-solvers. She said that working with learners from diverse backgrounds expands understanding, compassion, and cultural awareness.
In this way, a degree in education doesn’t just prepare people for jobs; it shapes how they think, interact, and contribute to the world.
“There’s always new research to try and implement regarding best practices, and I learn so much from and am challenged by my students each semester,” Dr. O’Neill said. “I’m always looking for ways to improve my practice in both the art and science of teaching. Instructing different courses, a variety of students, and multiple modalities is a fun challenge every semester.”
Yavapai College operates seven campuses and centers throughout Yavapai County and offers over 100 degrees and certificates, four baccalaureate degrees, student and community services, and cultural events and activities. To learn more about Yavapai College, visit www.yc.edu.