Influential Woman · Education

Sarah DiMaria

PBL Mathematics Teacher, Cedars International Next Generation High School

1Award received

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Bachelor's in Mathematics Degree Michigan State University Degree 2012 Degree Master's in Curriculum and Instruction Degree 2016 Member Knoll Teacher Initiative Member National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Member Texas Council of Teachers of Mathematics (TCTM)

Her Story

About Sarah

Sarah DiMaria has dedicated 13 years to STEM education, where her expertise lies at the intersection of advanced mathematics instruction and teacher development. As both a teacher and instructional coach, she teaches AP Calculus while simultaneously supporting all high school teachers at her school, providing guidance and assistance in areas where they need support, with a particular emphasis on project-based learning. Her commitment to excellence in mathematics and science education has been recognized at the highest level through the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching. Sarah holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics and a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction, both from Michigan State University, completing her bachelor's in 2012 and her master's around 2016. She remains actively engaged in the professional education community through her memberships in the Knoll Teacher Initiative, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), and the Texas Council of Teachers of Mathematics (TCTM). A lifelong learner herself, Sarah believes strongly that no one succeeds alone and attributes much of her success to the people she has been able to surround herself with and learn from throughout her career.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Sarah

01What do you attribute your success to?

I think being a lifelong learner and being able to learn and collaborate from others has been key to my success. I feel like a lot of my success is because of people that I have been able to surround myself with and learn from. I'm a pretty big believer that no one succeeds alone, and so there's all these influences in your life that support you to make you where you're at when you do get recognition.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

I think the best career advice I've received is to know your strengths and be able to put your strengths forward and name your boundaries around that. It's about understanding what you're good at and being clear about your limits while leveraging those strengths effectively.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I think it's important to believe in yourself and know your worth, and be able to name your boundaries early. At the same time, you need to be open to learn from those around you. It's about finding that balance between standing firm in your value while remaining receptive to the knowledge and experience others can share with you.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

I think there's a lot of challenge around financial funding in education right now, and there are ever-changing policies and expectations around educators. The key is being able to navigate the current status and work with others to kind of move through it in order to still be able to support students. Despite these challenges, we have to find ways to collaborate and adapt so that we can continue providing the support our students need.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

I think being honest and present in the work that you're doing is really important to me. I also value being a reliable and knowledgeable source for others. These values guide both my professional work as an educator and coach, and how I approach my personal relationships and commitments.

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