Sarah grew up in Oregon in the United States and always knew she wanted to be a teacher. She has taught students from preschool through fifth grade in the United States, Japan, and South Korea. Sarah joined the Dwight School Seoul community from Dwight New York two years ago.
What is your role at Dwight School Seoul?
I am a fifth grade homeroom teacher and the Literacy Learning Leader. I get to work with my own fifth grade class and partner with teachers to support our students with reading, writing, and word study.
What made you decide to work in an education setting? And what is your philosophy?
I’ve always wanted to be a teacher, perhaps because I grew up seeing how much my mom loved being an art teacher. I love working with kids to help them have those “Aha!” moments where something that was challenging clicks and they surprise themselves with what they can achieve. I believe people learn best through inquiry and collaboration that allows them to study areas of interest, make connections, and challenge themselves. I work to foster a classroom community that allows kids to feel safe trying things they find challenging.
What do you like the most about working at DSS?
One thing I love about working at DSS is that we are a supportive community that rallies around our students and fellow staff members to help them reach their individual goals.
What are your interests and or hobbies?
I love scrapbooking, reading, baking, and exploring new parts of the world with my family and friends.
Who inspires you and how?
Honestly, my students inspire me with their empathy, curiosity, and creativity.
What is the best book or production that you have read, watched, or listened to lately?
I really enjoyed watching “In The Heights.” I used to live in the Inwood/Washington Heights area of New York City and seeing the vibrant community celebrated on the screen was exciting! Recently I’ve been reading the “Aru Shah” series and “Out of My Heart,” (the sequel to “Out of My Mind”) which I would recommend to students and families. I love books that teach me about different cultures and life experiences.
What global challenge would you like to see tackled and how do you see yourself contributing to the positive change that you desire?
I try to contribute to open-mindedness and enthusiasm for learning about the wide variety of people in our world by ensuring students have mirrors of their own cultures and windows into other cultures in our curriculum. Our students are people who use their voices to stand up for one another and treat each other with kindness and respect. Their curiosity about one another’s cultures and open-minded nature towards celebrating what makes all of us unique is something I think we need more of in our world.
What is one fun fact about you that others may not know or may surprise them?
If you’ve met me you are two links from Kevin Bacon.
Why would you tell a prospective family to choose DSS?
I would tell a prospective family to choose DSS because our community is a supportive environment that aims to help each student grow and explore their passions to become people who take action to make the world a better place.
