Teacher of the Month ⼁ Introducing Sarah K.
At Pacific Preparatory, we are so lucky to work with the most thoughtful and inspiring instructors, all who bring lessons to life with engaging connections to student interests and their community. This month, we are pleased to celebrate Sarah, whose creativity and passion drives students to rise to the challenge of taking academic risks in a safe, welcoming environment.
Sarah (she/her/hers) graduated from Asbury University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. She has an expansive background as an elementary school educator, having worked in education since 1998. Sarah has worked extensively with students on the autistic spectrum and educated children with a variety of other learning differences. Sarah also has experience with children and adolescents in clinical mental health settings. Sarah believes that every child can learn and thrive when they are given a safe and positive learning environment. With Pacific Preparatory, Sarah teaches all elementary subjects and specializes in helping students with learning differences. When Sarah is not teaching, you’ll find her spending time walking her dog, reading, upcycling materials into pieces of art or furniture or simply enjoying the outdoors. She loves being with her family, connecting with friends and meeting new people. She lives in California with her husband, three children and very enthusiastic, passionately loving Bully Shepherd mix.
When did you start teaching and why?
I started teaching soon after graduating from college in 1997. Growing up, school was a difficult place for me to thrive and find my place due to many challenging circumstances in my family life, including multiple moves between multiple states. The teachers who made a meaningful impact on my life were those who saw that there was more to me than assignments or test scores. I knew the world needed more teachers to create safe spaces for kids to discover their strengths holistically so they could thrive emotionally, socially and academically without sacrificing one for the other.
What’s your favorite subject to teach and why?
I have to say that this is a tie between English and Language Arts and History because they both complement each other so well. I love teaching ELA because it gives me a chance to get kids excited about reading by tapping into their interests and introducing them to books they might never have picked up. I also enjoy helping kids grasp the complex mechanics of English and navigate all the rules (and exceptions to the rules) so they can then use reading, writing and speaking to learn about and engage the world. Teaching History excites me on so many levels. It is such an honor to be in a position to shine light on the past to broaden kids' understanding, empathy, and perspective about diverse people, cultures and events while creating a safe place to ask thoughtful questions about how the past affects the present and the future.
How did any misconceptions of virtual 1:1 learning compare to the reality?
I was initially quite intimidated by and unattracted to virtual 1:1 teaching and learning. I thought it would be impersonal and difficult to make real, meaningful connections with my students. But as I got the hang of the technical tools and resources, I learned that this was not the case at all. Teaching online has opened doors to authentic, fun and valuable interactions I did not imagine possible. I am thankful for the opportunities teaching online provides as I continue to learn and grow.
Sarah, we and your students are so lucky to have you on our team! Congratulations on being our Teacher of the Month!
