Her Story
About Sarah
Sarah Said brings over two decades of dedication to education as an ESL English teacher and assistant flag football coach in the U46 school district. She is transferring to Streamwood High School while continuing her role coaching flag football, a sport she supports for its growing opportunities for girls. Sarah earned her bachelor's in English Education with an ESL endorsement, followed by a master's in Literacy, Language, and Culture from the University of Illinois Chicago in 2007 and a master's in Educational Leadership in 2013. She holds a 500RYT certification and is certified to teach Commit Dance Sculpt, and she teaches yoga at a local gym. Sarah attributes her success to patience and identifying as a lifelong learner, which she believes enhances her effectiveness as a teacher. She values flexibility in the classroom, leaning on colleagues for support, and learning from students, while prioritizing balance, justice, fairness, authenticity, and a growth mindset both professionally and personally.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sarah
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would say patience. Really, I also am a learner. And I think being a learner is a big part of being a teacher. There are always new things that we have to learn and grow with, and I think that when you identify yourself as a learner and a teacher, it makes you a better teacher.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Being flexible is very important in our field, and being able to roll with that, always knowing that it's not always going to go as you planned, but that's okay. You know, sometimes it may turn out better than you expected. I would also say, just really leaning on your colleagues for support, and learning from your colleagues, and being open to learn, and most importantly, being open to learn from your students.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Never take anything personally when it comes to students. Make sure you're organized. I think organization is key for teachers. And it's okay to not just plan, but over-plan, because you never know what you're going to encounter, and be willing to learn. Be willing to learn from students, be willing to learn from parents, be willing to learn from staff. And no, it's not just a job, it's a calling. You really have to want to do this.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
You have to be flexible. You never know what's gonna happen. No student's home life is perfect, and sometimes they come to the classroom, and you can see that home life reflected. That can be a challenge, because now you have to support that student with behavior. You always have to understand what the root causes of student behavior can be, and from there, work with the student to support that student. It's not about disciplining them, it's about supporting them. Working in a school is never boring.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
One of the things I had to learn the hard way was valuing balance. What I've learned is it's not hustle culture, because you're gonna burn yourself out. So I think that, you know, I've learned, really, that there is more to life than working, and really taking care of your mental health is critical. And having that time with family, because your kids are going to grow up quickly. While I'm at work, I would say justice and fairness and authenticity are big. Especially authenticity. Students know when you're being fake. Always know that it is okay to be yourself. When you make a mistake, students respect when you acknowledge your mistakes and grow from them, and I think a growth mindset in this field is also important.
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