With over 23 years of experience in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System, Tana Allen has served as an accomplished teacher, literacy coach, administrator, parish champion middle school track coach, high school volleyball coach, and administrative dean.
As a parishioner and lector at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Tana remains deeply grounded in her faith. Her passions include staying physically active, making memories with family and friends, and exploring fashion.
She is also the proud owner of an authentic Baton Rouge Gazette newspaper from January 31, 1829, printed on its original linen. This historic newspaper, which includes news of the day along with ads for runaway slaves and slave sales, serves as a powerful discussion piece. She is passionate about sharing it with the community to highlight progress made and the ongoing need for advocacy and equal rights.
As a National Board Certified Teacher in Literacy, Tana actively supports educators by promoting best practices for high academic achievement. She mentors new teachers and collaborates with EBRPSS to train, grow, and retain educators using nationally recognized research-based strategies.
Tana’s community advocacy is centered around youth empowerment. She is:
- An official Big Buddy with The Big Buddy Program, providing mentorship to underserved youth
- A motivational speaker for teenage mothers
- A contributing educator for Humanities Amped
- A volunteer at the Baton Rouge Food Bank
- A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer, supporting abused and neglected children in the foster care system
A native of Lafayette, Louisiana, Tana credits her success to her unwavering parents, sister, and godmother. As a teenage mother at 16, they ensured she received a strong education to build a future for herself and her son. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Master’s in Administration from Southern University in Baton Rouge.
Tana lives by the philosophy of embracing life to the fullest, laughing often, and surrounding herself with those who bring out the magic, not the madness!