Teacher Profile: Sarah Anderson

Year(s) and Subject(s) Taught

English Language Arts: 7th - 12th Grade

How long have you been teaching? 

8 years

Why did you become a teacher? Why did you choose teaching as a profession?

I started college as an English major with the intention of eventually becoming a professor of Victorian literature. During my first year of study, I did some volunteer work with teenagers and realized that my love of literature might be better used as a teacher. Throughout my senior year, I had so many great experiences working with high school students during a year-long student teaching internship; by the end of that year, I couldn’t imagine being anything except a teacher.  

Tell us about your own education journey.

I completed all of my education in the United States. For my undergraduate degrees, I graduated with dual degrees in English and Secondary Education from The Schreyer Honors College at the Pennsylvania State University. For my graduate studies, I am almost finished with a master’s in instructional media from Wilkes University. 

What is the most memorable moment in your teaching career so far?

Last year, I had a student from Syria who arrived with major deficiencies in her understanding of the English language. Throughout the year, this student worked hard and spent countless hours to improve her English. At the end of the year, we held an international fair where students presented projects that they had been working on for months. This student wrote a poem about Damascus in response to the work of Syrian poet, Nizar Qabbani. After she had presented her poem on the night of the international fair, an audience full of people from different countries had tears in their eyes. This success along with seeing her improvement throughout the year was wonderful, but it was even better to know that she realized that she needed to work hard in school if she wanted to be able to positively impact the world. 

What do you like most about teaching?

English language arts class gives my students and I the opportunity to share stories with each other about our lives. When students tell or write a story, their personalities shine through the story. Whether the story is true or fictional, I learn about their hopes and dreams, their fears, and their interests. I enjoy getting to know my students through their stories. 

What is the best thing about teaching at your school?

The best thing about teaching at an Oasis school is having the opportunity to work with talented students from all over the world. 

Who or what inspires you?

I am inspired by the thought of what my students can do if they reach their full potential. 

Describe the ‘perfect’ student.

Oasis schools strive to instill in each student a passion for truth, a commitment to excellence, and an appreciation for diversity while creating an educational environment that cultivates character, embraces leadership, and inspires innovation. I encourage students to take advantage of the opportunities offered at OIS to develop these qualities.