Tara Claeys
Founder and Creative Director
Favorite Charity:
It’s hard to pick just one! I support many organizations that work to make the world a better place.
As a college readiness mentor for AHC, I volunteer to help students navigate the college admissions process.
I love the mission and work of Aspire! (also a client with a new website coming in early 2023!), which provides afterschool learning and reading support to underserved communities in my hometown of Arlington, Virginia. Another local client AFAC, provides dignified access to free groceries, which allows families to devote their limited financial resources to obligations such as housing, utilities, medication, and other basic needs.
I also love to support organizations that are fighting for racial justice, such as the 1954 Project, Dream.org, and Color of Change.
Memorable Teacher:
My High School History Teacher, Mr. McGrath, changed my life! He made learning fun, and respected his students. I was selected from his class to attend a seminar in Washington, DC in my junior year, and fell in love with the city … which is why I live here now!
- Morning Person
- Consummate Productivity Geek
- Netflix Binger (or Amazon, Hulu or HBO)
- Loves Jelly Beans
- Enneagram 1: The Perfectionist
- Co-host Mindful School Marketing Podcast
Tara Claeys of Design TLC is a nonprofit and school website designer, developer, marketer, nonprofit and educational champion and WordPress wizard with over 25 years of experience. She and her team provide custom website and graphic design services with a focus on creating effective, customized, user-friendly communication platforms for small schools, camps, and nonprofits.
She prides herself on listening deeply to her clients, crafting their digital identities with care and creating designs and website solutions that fit her clients brands and organizational personalities.
Her love of WordPress websites runs deep because the platform allows her clients to focus on running their organizations, instead of spending hours creating a website that doesn’t end up looking good and functioning well.
Tara is a proud recipient of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce “Best Technology Business Award,” and she sits on the Board of Aspire Afterschool, which provides reading and after school services for underserved students in Arlington, Virginia. She has also been a mentor to high school students through the AHC College & Career Readiness program for the last 5 years, helping with college the college application process. She knows that making a difference for one person begins to reshape the world, and she applies that knowledge to making websites for organizations that want to aim higher, inspire others, and lead the way to a better tomorrow.
Outside of agency time, Tara enjoys cycling, running, hiking, volunteering, and spending time with friends and family.
“I am passionate about education. Being a mom has been my most important job. Now that my kids are adults, I love maintaining my connection to educational organizations through my website agency as a school website designer. Sharing my expertise helps organizations improve their online presence to better serve families looking for enriching opportunities for their children.”