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When teaching chooses you,
 it grabs all of you.

A Decade of National Teacher of the Year

I woke up early this morning, way before my alarm went off. I noticed the date on my phone and opened my email out of habit. Sitting at the top of the queue, was a note from my former superintendent who wrote, “one of the proudest times in my life was having the National Teacher of the Year in our Johnston Community School District. Happy 10th Anniversary!”

WELCOME
One of my favorite moments in literature comes from a Tennessee Williams’ play when a very ordinary character is briefly graced by a beautiful light and, for a moment, is extraordinary. Teachers strive every day to help others shine brightly, to believe in their extraordinary potential.

“Tackling the complexity of teaching with mindfulness and purpose.”

SBW MORE ABOUT ME
“The more space we take up, the less space they have to grow.”

My teaching story didn’t begin with a decision; rather, it was a realization of something I must have always known. I didn’t choose to be a teacher. I was meant to be one. Since the days of building neighborhood schools as a child or the countless hours I spent my mother’s fourth grade classroom, I have always been most myself when I’m teaching. 18 years of students have taught me more than I could ever hope to teach them, but most importantly they have continued to instill in me the belief that our most important work is human work. It’s to see in each student what she can’t see in herself, to give him what he needs before he knows he needs it.

It is with great passion and humility that I enter this work. Already, I’m looking forward to learning with you in this ever-growing classroom: Open Teaching.

DO YOU NEED A SPEAKER?

My keynote presentations are authentic and grounded in classroom practice. Whether it’s to an audience of 10 or 10,000 I customize each talk with a dedication to inspiring and empowering every group I work with.

DO YOU WANT A TEACHING & LEARNING EXPERIENCE?

My workshops are interactive experiences where I remind teachers what it means to be learners. Whether it’s a half-day or multi-day experience, whether it’s for classroom teachers, administrators, university faculty or service providers, we will learn because we constructed understanding together.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A CONSULTANT?

For as often as I’m doing the very visible work of speaking and teaching, I’m also doing the more invisible work of envisioning, developing, and implementing programming. So, if you’re looking for a designer, a curator, a writer or a listener, I may be helpful to your work.

DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA I HAVEN'T THOUGHT OF YET?

If nothing else, I’m a risk-taker who is willing to be vulnerable for the cause of innovation and learning. If you have a percolating idea, don’t hesitate to reach out and see if a collaboration is in the cards.

SBW, you have the most beautiful words that always touch my soul! You are gentle with words, and make room for improvements feel like encouragement!

Ask Sarah is a weekly advice column, where it’s teacher to teacher, learner to learner. Consider this a space where we value and tackle the messy questions, where we seek honest responses and try to cultivate some wisdom along the way.
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