Tam has almost 20 years of experience in education. For most of her career, she has not only taught in a range of subject areas, but has also led English and Social Science faculties. Over the past 15 years, her focus has been working with teachers and schools across New Zealand in curriculum design and technology in curriculum. This has involved working as a NZ Ministry of Education professional learning accredited facilitator, running workshops, presenting at conferences and providing lectures at university to beginning teachers.

Tam has a passion for teaching and learning, curriculum design and future-focused education.

Tam recently completed a doctorate in education from University of Canterbury where she focused on the roles of senior leadership in creating a future-focused education, designed a new pedagogical framework for curriculum integration known as the Connected Curriculum Learning Design (CCLD) Framework and researched how teachers collaborate to deliver the CCLD. As well as the doctoral research, Tam has co-authored articles based on Knowledge Building Pedagogy and created teacher resources for New Zealand teachers.

Tam is joined at UWC Changshu China by her youngest daughter Jade.