Why We Do What We Do: Finding Clarity, Connection, and Courage with LFA Lead Instructor Tarah Foster

In the overwhelming complexity of the global climate crisis, finding one's place—a place of meaningful action and purpose—can feel like navigating a storm. Yet, at Terra.do, the Learning for Action (LFA) Climate Fellowship is expertly charting a course for hundreds of climate leaders around the globe. Guiding this transformative journey is Lead Instructor Tarah Foster (she/her), a veteran educator who brings heart, curiosity, and rigor to every learning space.

Based in Virginia Beach, Tarah serves not only as a mentor to fellows but also expands Terra.do’s reach through partnerships and engaging events. Her work is rooted in a fundamental belief: that information only becomes powerful when it is understood, internalized, and acted upon. For Tarah, empowering learners means simplifying complex climate concepts and connecting personal purpose with systemic impact.

The Transformative Philosophy: Beyond Knowledge Transfer

While the LFA fellowship covers foundational climate science and the incredible solutions available, Tarah emphasizes that the program is "so much more than that". It is a journey invested in the actions fellows take and the paths they pursue.

Tarah is motivated by a simple, profound truth: "I believe learning is most powerful when it sparks action. A strong community builds strong impact, and I’m here to make both happen".

This focus on transformation rather than mere content delivery is key to her approach. She brings a natural gift for building community and making complex topics feel approachable, ensuring that everyone feels seen, heard, and empowered in the learning environment.

As a Lead Instructor, Tarah wears many hats—mentoring fellows, coordinating international virtual events, and shaping transformative learning experiences. Whether she is facilitating a “kitchen table” climate conversation or leading a high-impact lab session, she excels at turning knowledge into action.

Crucially, the learning process under Tarah's guidance integrates reflection and vulnerability. This inner work is essential because, as she facilitates, she intentionally invites learners to explore their personal potential. Fellows have shared that Tarah creates a space where they "feel seen," where vulnerability is welcome, and where they feel empowered to show up fully. That emotional safety allows for deeper self-reflection, which is a critical step in aligning personal values with professional direction.

From Climate Chaos to Clarity: Finding One's Unique Role

Many individuals come to the LFA fellowship feeling overwhelmed by the scale of the crisis. Tarah’s unique strength lies in helping fellows move past this initial paralysis and find their specific place in the climate movement.

"I help fellows navigate the climate crisis by grounding them in both science and self," Tarah explains. "We start with systems thinking and a shared understanding of climate realities, but we also spend time identifying what uniquely lights them up—because action rooted in alignment is sustainable".

Her method involves creating three critical components: clarity, connection, and confidence. Fellows often describe her as someone who “brings clarity where chaos could prevail,” a responsibility she takes seriously. She achieves this by organizing copious insights from labs into cohesive takeaways that bridge the gap between individual understanding and systems-level thinking. By helping learners “connect the dots,” she enables them to recognize where they uniquely fit in the broader climate ecosystem.

A significant turning point often occurs when fellows realize that working on climate is not necessarily a separate “career pivot,” but rather something they can integrate into their existing skills, networks, and lives. This shift allows someone who once felt overwhelmed to start naming their next steps with precision—whether that means launching a climate-aligned initiative, making sustainable lifestyle changes, or sparking change within their current organization.

For Tarah, this personal transformation is the "gateway to systemic action". When fellows feel clear, connected, and supported, they begin to ask not just “what can I do?” but the more powerful question: “what am I uniquely positioned to do?”—and that question, she notes, changes everything.

The Journey of an Instructor: Shaped by Empathy

Tarah’s ability to guide others through the often-disorienting process of finding a climate role is deeply informed by her own professional path. With nine years in health and human services and an M.S. in Biological Sciences from The University of Tulsa, she successfully transitioned into the climate space.

She readily shares that her path was "non-traditional," which gives her profound insight into the challenges faced by new fellows. "My own journey into the climate space came from a deep desire to work at the intersection of people, purpose, and planet," she states. "Finding my role within the climate movement was non-traditional, so I understand how disorienting this journey can be. That’s shaped how I show up: with empathy, encouragement, and a deep belief that there is a place for everyone in this work".

In fact, Tarah was a fellow herself. “I was a fellow first, and that experience was transformative,” she recounts. “What inspired me to become an instructor was the realization that this journey doesn’t end with understanding—it continues through sharing”. Her goal upon becoming an instructor was to create the kind of supportive, engaging environment that helped her find her own footing.

The People and the Possibility: What Motivates Tarah

When asked what motivates her to work with Terra.do fellows, Tarah’s answer is immediate and centered on the community. “What motivates me to work with Terra.do fellows is simple: it’s the people,” she says.

She describes the fellows as “values-driven individuals navigating one of the most complex challenges of our time—and they’re doing it with curiosity, humility, and courage.” She learns so much with every cohort. What she loves most is witnessing the pivotal shift “when fellows move from a place of overwhelm to a place of knowing they are supported and equipped to take action. That shift is where confidence and clarity really shine – as fellows find their place in the climate movement”.

It is the power of shared learning and mutual respect that underpins her hope. She recalls a particularly resonant moment during a discussion about the role of empathy in climate action. A thoughtful question from a fellow prompted an “open, honest, and loving conversation among a diverse group of peers.” By the end, the fellow saw empathy in a new light—as something essential to meaningful and inclusive climate solutions. “That moment gave me hope. This is a community that learns with each other—and that’s where real change begins”.

Voices of the Community: Tarah’s Impact

Tarah’s dedication to thoughtful facilitation and emotional support resonates deeply with her fellows. The testimonials reflect her ability to manage diverse groups, maintain structure, and foster genuine connection:

• Juan Felipe Sehuanes highlighted the foundational role of her facilitation in the success of the LFA program: “I will simply quote what I just wrote to her on slack: ‘You did a fantastic job in always having a very well structured, yet flexible enough framework during our Tuesday lab meetings and I strongly believe this was the foundation on which the brilliant discussions we had could occur’”.
• Brianna Leatham described the essential role of the lab sessions she led: “Tarah is incredible. I looked forward to my weekly lab session the most each week. This part of the fellowship is where I gained the most knowledge and sense of real community”.
• Alok Ranjan Sing praised her ability to manage discussions: “The lab sessions were undoubtedly the highlight of the course. Tarah did a fabulous job at bringing out a wide range of perspectives in our discussions... At the same time, she would seamlessly amplify the voices of those who had substantive experiences in particular topics”.
• Libby Potter found essential emotional support in Tarah’s presence: “Tarah was the best. I needed her gentle spirit and kind interactions to keep me off the negative angry ledge I was balancing on. She did it as much as anyone could”.
• Thu Doan affirmed her empathetic nature: “Tarah is a genuinely caring instructor and an excellent communicator who is expert at facilitation and upholding the community value of mutual respect and openness”.
• Rudi Voller recognized the quality of the connections fostered: “Tarah did a great job at facilitating really meaningful connections and conversations between us - it made us think for ourselves and I actually gained so much knowledge from other fellows across the globe”.
• Steven Hood noted her clear communication and subject knowledge: “Tarah was an excellent facilitator, communicated clearly, and provided opportunities for our cohort members to connect and discuss topics with each other (both during labs and outside of formal group sessions). She was knowledgeable on the topics, participated in discussions, and ensured everyone who wanted to speak was given an opportunity to do so”.

A Complete Picture: Systems and Self

Tarah believes in a holistic picture of climate change education. The LFA curriculum is designed to not only cover climate science, impacts, and solutions, but also to dig into "the complexities of the human systems [and] the mental models... that the world is operating under," because understanding these complexities is vital to finding effective solutions.

This rigor, coupled with her warm, energetic, and empathetic nature, defines the LFA experience.

Outside of her crucial work guiding global fellows, leading instructors, and cultivating inclusive learning environments, Tarah finds balance and resilience in nature and community. She enjoys paddle boarding, hiking, listening to podcasts, and, simply, snuggling with her husband and cat.

Her commitment to fostering courageous climate action, whatever form that may take for the individual, is unwavering. She helps learners move from awareness to action, recognizing that this transformation begins within, supported by connection and care.

If you are a values-driven individual seeking to move from overwhelm to empowerment, and you desire a supportive community grounded in both cutting-edge climate science and deep self-reflection, the Learning for Action Climate Fellowship, guided by Tarah Foster, offers a clear path forward.

Curious to learn alongside Tarah and our other amazing instructors? Join the next Learning for Action cohort and start your journey from reflection to impact.