Tatiana Poladko
Founder, TeenSHARP
Professional Overview
Tatiana Poladko is a seasoned education innovator and social impact leader with over 15 years of experience driving meaningful change in youth development programs. As the Founder of TeenSHARP, she leverages her deep expertise in program design, community engagement, and educational equity to empower underserved high school students to achieve their full academic and personal potential.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the Founder of TeenSHARP, Tatiana is responsible for the organization's overall strategic direction, program development, and stakeholder engagement. Under her leadership, TeenSHARP has grown to serve over 500 students annually, with a 95% college acceptance rate among participants. Tatiana's vision and tireless efforts have positioned TeenSHARP as a nationally recognized leader in closing the opportunity gap for minority and low-income youth.
Career Progression
Prior to founding TeenSHARP, Tatiana held various roles in the education and youth development sectors. As an Instructor in the Department of Sociology at Temple University, she conducted research and designed innovative curricula to promote social justice and community empowerment. Tatiana also served as the Manager of the Jumpstart Program at Rutgers University-Camden, where she oversaw the delivery of early childhood education services to underserved families. Earlier in her career, Tatiana held leadership positions at the European Youth Parliament in Ukraine and the United Nations Development Program, where she honed her skills in policy development, stakeholder engagement, and program management.
Academic Background
Tatiana holds a Master's degree in Sociology from Temple University, where she specialized in educational equity and community-based initiatives. Her academic achievements include several published research papers and presentations at national conferences, showcasing her deep understanding of the challenges facing underserved youth and effective strategies for driving systemic change.
Areas of Expertise
- Educational program design and implementation
- Youth development and mentorship
- Community engagement and stakeholder management
- Nonprofit leadership and organizational strategy
- Equity-focused research and policy analysis
Professional Impact
Under Tatiana's leadership, TeenSHARP has become a nationally recognized model for college access and success programs, with a proven track record of transforming the lives of hundreds of students. Through her work, Tatiana has been a vocal advocate for educational equity, regularly speaking at conferences and contributing to policy discussions at the local and national level. Her dedication and innovative approach have earned her numerous awards and accolades, including the prestigious Echoing Green Fellowship and the Delaware Community Foundation's "40 Under 40" recognition.
Conclusion
Tatiana Poladko is a visionary leader and passionate advocate for educational equity. With her deep expertise, strategic mindset, and unwavering commitment to empowering underserved youth, she is poised to continue driving transformative change in the education and youth development sectors.