Tara Falasco
Tara Falasco has dedicated over 20 years to education, knowing from elementary school that she wanted to become a principal. Inspired by a principal who dressed up as Old Mother Hubbard to encourage reading, she set her sights early on educational leadership. Tara taught 4th and 5th grade for 11 years, cherishing the connection with elementary students, before serving as an assistant principal for over two years. Eight years ago, she stepped into her current role as Principal of Blue Point Elementary School in the Bayport-Blue Point Union Free School District, where she describes her work as “absolutely the best job in the world.” A hands-on leader, she spends much of her day visiting classrooms, connecting with students and teachers, and supporting social-emotional learning initiatives, particularly addressing the challenges students face in today’s post-COVID landscape.
A Nationally Certified Principal Mentor and active member of the NAESP Editorial Advisory Board, Tara shares her expertise nationally as a presenter and contributor. She has published research on student anxiety and the evolving needs of K–12 learners, including a feature in Principal magazine. As President of the Suffolk County Elementary Principals Association, she is also spearheading the first-ever elementary leadership conference on Long Island. Tara’s transformational and collaborative leadership style emphasizes partnership with teachers and staff, creating meaningful discussions around instructional and behavioral improvements while fostering a culture of shared responsibility and continuous growth.
Currently a doctoral candidate at Bethel University, Tara is defending her research on women in educational leadership in the coming weeks—a reflection of her passion for mentorship and advancing female leaders in K–12 education. She has dedicated her career to building strong school communities, elevating educators, and ensuring every student has the support they need to thrive. Through her work, she continues to influence both local and national conversations on leadership, instructional innovation, and social-emotional development, guided by the belief that great schools start with strong relationships and visionary leadership.
• Administration Certification
• Marist University - BS, Psych
• Dowling College - Master's degree, Literacy
• SCOPE Leadership Award
• National PTA School of Excellence Award
• National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP)
• NAESP Editorial Advisory Board
• President of Suffolk County Elementary Principals Association
• Long Island Affiliate of New York State Association of Women Administrators (NASAWA)
• Planning first-ever elementary school conference on Long Island (not-for-profit)
What do you attribute your success to?
I think in every step, I had somebody, a mentor, that really guided me into what I wanted. I have a very supportive mom who would tell me, like, Tara, you're being stupid, like, you can do this kind of thing. So really every step, like NAESP, I have support. In every aspect, I have someone I can go to, to help and guide me through any challenges in my career. My dissertation's actually on mentoring and sponsorship, and I thought it would be all about mentoring and having that mentor, but it actually ended up that sponsorship was more effective for women than mentorship, because we need those people talking about us in a room when we're not there positively. So finding somebody who you can trust to help you and to talk positively about you has been key to my success.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I think professionally, I was told a lot that I have a lot to give others, and not just students. I think that's what made me start going to conferences and present and write articles so that I can positively change trajectories of educators. And just, have faith in yourself, too. And again, that goes with that confidence thing, if I'm applying for a job, hearing that I can do it was a great piece of advice.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Go for it. You know, like, what's the worst that can happen kind of thing. But find that go-to person that, you know, can help you. My dissertation's actually on mentoring and sponsorship, and I thought it would be all about mentoring and having that mentor, but it actually ended up that sponsorship was more effective for women than mentorship, because we need those people talking about us in a room when we're not there positively. So, find somebody who you can trust to help you and to talk positively about you. That's not always something that women do. But go for it. I didn't think I was ready, but I just went for it.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think the biggest opportunity right now is, you know, do I want to move up to district office? You know, that's the next step, but I'm just not sure I want to right now. So that's a challenge as well. And then another challenge just in the job is just how kids are so different, and so much anxiety and dysregulation, and it's really, really helping them in the schools. This current fifth grade, they were in masks in kindergarten, 6 feet apart, so they really do not know how to socialize. They grew, you know, they were home for a year with their parents, and so it's a lot. Those skills that you take for granted, the teachers will say, like, well, they should know that. Yeah, I know they should know that, but they don't. I think in the older grades, technology is absolutely a factor. I think, you know, kids have cell phones way too early, and not being monitored, or not knowing how to navigate a cell phone, they're just kind of giving it to them. Parents are different, too. Education has certainly changed.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Definitely a work-life balance. Not always easy to do. I've definitely gotten better at that. But I think that balance is extremely important, so one, you don't burn out at work, but also that you still have that family time and that personal time. And that took me a long time to find out, too. I was single for a very, very long time because I was ambitious with my career, and not that I regret it, because I have a great guy now, but, you know, I definitely put that above my personal life. And, you know, that just wasn't the healthiest choice. And other values is really just trust. You know, I want people to trust me. But I want to find those, that tribe that I can trust, and just trusting the universe. That would be actually another piece of advice, too, is if you don't get a job, there's a reason why. You know, I was always so devastated when I didn't get a job, but you know, now I realize it was to end up where I am, which is, you know, a wonderful place.