Stephanie Lynne Tatum

Stephanie Lynne Tatum is a native of Urbana, Illinois. Upon graduating from Urbana High School, she attended Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas and received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. She returned to Urbana-Champaign and attended the University of Illinois where she earned both a Master of Arts in Educational Policy Analysis and A Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology of Education.

Currently, Dr. Tatum is the Principal of Canaan Academy, a private Christian Elementary School, located in Urbana, Illinois. In addition to the daily administrative duties that she performs at the Academy, she ensures that the partnership between the home, the school, and the community is maintained; this collegial model has proven to be a vital part in effective educational outcomes. To this end, Canaan Academy has become a resource for families, local schools, universities, and community agencies in regard to the educational attainment for all students.

In addition to the work that Dr. Tatum does at Canaan Academy, she is a WrapAround Facilitator for the Champaign School District. As a facilitator, she consults with families, community agencies, building principals, teachers and other educators within the school district on strategies that they can utilize to assist in positive educational outcomes for all students. Dr. Tatum's research experience is within the Sociology of Education and Sociology of the Family. Dr. Tatum has received many honors and awards for her commitment to children, families, schools and community agencies.