Staff Spotlight: Meet the UVA School of Education and Human Development’s Margaret Tamayo

At the University of Virginia’s School of Education and Human Development, Project Associate Margaret Tamayo is helping foster strong, positive relationships between teachers and students. Working at the Center for Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning (CASTL), she leads research projects, manages a team of undergraduate researchers, and keeps the behind-the-scenes operations running smoothly. We sat down with Margaret to hear about her path to UVA, the research that inspires her, and why mentoring students is one of the favorite parts of her work.

Q: Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and your role at UVA?

A: My name is Margaret Tamayo, and I am a Project Associate at the University of Virginia School of Education and Human Development, specifically for the Center for Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning (CASTL). I am currently overseeing a project called Teacher-student Relationships in Elementary Classrooms (TREC). I largely oversee the recruitment, data collection, and managing our data collector team which is comprised of undergraduate students. I manage the timelines, communications, everything you could think of from the behind-the-scenes work, everything short of analyzing the data and writing the papers.

Q: What has been your path to higher education and UVA?

A: My journey with UVA is pretty unique. I started working here in 2017 as a Data Collector for one of several research studies under CASTL. I found research really interesting, and when I first took the role, my plan was to work in research for a year, then teach for a year, and eventually go back to school for speech pathology. Speech pathology didn’t work out, and I think it’s better that it didn’t because I really do love my job. After a few years of working in data collection and making connections with other projects within CASTL, I eventually found a full-time role as a Project Coordinator and started to climb the metaphorical ladder. It wasn’t something I ever planned, but I’m happy to be here.

Q: Are there any projects or research that you’re working on that you’re most excited about?

A: I don’t even know where to start, because excited is definitely one word I’d use to describe how I feel about the study I’m working on now because there’s a lot of emotional investment in it. The project has been going on for four years now. At a high level, what the study is about is we’re looking at how well a strategy called Banking Time helps build strong and positive relationships between teachers and their students. We already know that the teacher–student relationship is one of the most influential factors in a student’s academic career. That one factor is so important that it creates a domino effect of student outcomes down the road. I’m excited about it because so many people use technology now, it’s not just adults, it’s children too, but I still see that relationships really matter between people, and age doesn’t matter in that regard. Seeing teachers and young learners discover that for themselves is such a beautiful thing. I get excited hearing the anecdotes from our participants about how well it’s been working to build those stronger relationships with students. The ideal student profile to use this with are those little ones with externalized behaviors, or even the ones who are more withdrawn in the classroom. Seeing those little ones come out of their shell and seeing the strategy work makes me really happy.

Q: What do you find the most rewarding about being a part of the UVA community?

A: I find working with undergraduate students and getting a chance to mentor them to be very rewarding. Reflecting on my own undergraduate experience, I’m a first-generation American college student. There was a lot that I didn’t know and didn’t feel prepared for in undergrad, or even in the world beyond that. Something I’ve learned about UVA undergraduate students is that they’re incredibly high-achieving, mature, and curious. Maybe that’s just part of how they come into their roles as undergraduate research students – they naturally have that curiosity and a willingness to learn. For me, it feels fulfilling to be part of their journey, to guide them as they figure out their careers, and to remind them that the world is much bigger than undergraduate life. Undergraduate life can feel like a trial period, but that isn’t completely what adulting will look like.

Q: What is a fun fact that your students or colleagues might not know about you?

A: I am an avid crocheter. It’s such an addicting hobby because I always need to be doing something with my hands. It’s the perfect thing to do while I listen to an audiobook or multitask, and then it turns into something like this cardigan I’m wearing.

Q: Have you visited the UVA Northern Virginia Fairfax campus? If so, what is your favorite thing about UVA Northern Virginia?

A: I love visiting and working from there when I can. I’ve tried to come at least once a week. One of my favorite things about it is that it’s such a clean, neat, beautiful, and organized space to get work done as a remote employee. I have my work setup at home, and I’ve gotten very used to how comfortable it is because I’m at home, but being in the office makes me feel a bit more productive. I’ve been telling my friends on grounds in Charlottesville about the UVA Northern Virginia campus and letting them know that if they have meetings up here, they can work from here too!