March 9, 2024 • 26 mins
Embark on an educational odyssey with Sarah Morris, whose life story twists like a riveting novel, from PR to pedagogy, across oceans to the heart of Europe, and finally back to American soil here in the Olean City Schools. In this episode, Sarah discussed the soul of education through her eyes, recounting a 17-year career highlighted by a transformative Czech sojourn. Her narrative isn't just about teaching and working on climate and culture for our staff- it's a heartwarming tale of finding love and nurturing a vision of educational leadership. Sarah's experiences exemplify the profound ways our professional journeys can deeply affect our personal lives and vice versa.
We also unravel the tapestry of mentorship and its vital stitches in the educational fabric in the Olean City Schools. Discover how a promising mentorship program is coming to life in our district, complete with a handbook crafted to elevate teaching assistants' expertise. Our 'power hour' event, a recent phenomenon, is an illuminating chapter on how we're guiding new hires into the fold, encouraging valuable connections and community within our district. The episode envisions a mural of signatures, each a pledge from our staff to belong and unite in a school that's more than buildings and books—it would be a living, breathing community where every individual's story is the cornerstone of a collective narrative. Join us for this inspiring dialogue that paints a clearer picture of Sarah's impactful work here in Olean!
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
Welcome to our next episode of the Husky Huddle, and
I am so pleased to have with meSarah Morris, who's going to
tell us so much about thewonderful work that she's doing
here in Oakland.
Why don't you tell us?
Speaker 2 (00:19):
about yourself.
Okay, to start off, I have beenin the district for six years,
but this is actually my 17thyear of teaching.
I have gone kind of a differentpathway.
My undergrad is not in this,it's actually PR and marketing.
And I have to say just a sidenote, I'm super excited to be on
the air again, because Ihaven't been on the air since
college.
So this was also very excitingto be able to do this with you
(00:44):
today and kind of bring thatback into full swing.
Besides that, though, the 17years I taught in central New
York, in central square andwhere's that?
It's outside of Syracuse, upnear it's up north, heading on
up 81, heading towards Canada,that direction, so way up, and
(01:05):
then from there, they actuallywere able to give me a two-year
sabbatical, and I took asabbatical and taught overseas
at an international school inthe Czech Republic, which was
really cool.
Talk about learning yourself ina completely different way and
having to restructure your wholeeducational thought process,
because these were multilinguallearners, they were from all
(01:26):
over the world, they wereambassador students, they were
their children, they were justso full of knowledge and wealth
in different capacities, and itwas just a really unique.
I went to an internationalschool so awesome.
It was a super fun experienceand I lived with two women both
(01:47):
years that became my sisters ofPrague.
The three of us are still inconstant contact and I'm
actually still very muchinvolved with some of the people
that I taught over there withand still follow them on social
media and have seen the changesand and growth that they have
made at the international schoolsince I was there.
I was there in from 2014 to ohexcuse, yes 2014 to 2016.
(02:15):
So, yeah, awesome, it wasreally cool.
I went to my superintendent atthe time and I said to him look
like, here I am.
I've just gotten into my 30s.
I'm at that juncture in mycareer that I'm like I don't
necessarily have anything that'sholding me back, but I really
want to be able to expand out.
Would this be something thatcould be put into like a system
(02:35):
in place type thing?
And he was like yes, I thinkthat this is great.
It was, it was really awesome.
And then, from there, the thegreatest part about it was when
I was still in year one, I guess.
He went to our representativefor our union and was like Sarah
staying another year, and whileI was over there.
I was doing a lot ofcross-curricular stuff with the
(02:57):
district back stateside, whichwas really cool too.
We did a monster matchup, wedid a food integration thing
between both, so my kids wereable to see the kids stateside
and I was able to have thatlinkage with the district that
had given me such such anoutstanding first like go round
of something so unique.
And then when I came back, theywere so great to me that they
(03:21):
put me back with a principlethat I had started with and he'd
even moved buildings andthey're like we've got you all
lined up, and so from there Imet the love of my life and well
, yeah, he's, he's, he's awesome, and I never thought that I
would leave that area, but hewas who brought me down here and
I've become a bonus mom to twobeautiful girls.
(03:42):
Yes, yes, um, everythinghappens for a reason.
It was a random night that Imet him.
It was not so I wasn't even inthat thought process, but
obviously it's worked out.
The craziest part about it wasthe summer that I came down to
kind of just test the water, soto speak.
A opening happened to be atWashington West and it was in
(04:04):
second grade, and second andthird are my niches.
And I went and said you know,is this something that of that
you would be interested in meeven looking into, and so forth?
And I put myself out there andI remember the interview process
going really well and at theend they kind of left it with
this and I just reallydistinctly remember this.
(04:25):
They asked like is thereanything else that you would
like to say?
And I just remember saying tothem at the time I'm one.
You're probably wondering whysomeone with 11 years experience
is walking through your doorand it's really that, all of
that, I met the love of my lifeand I'm supposed to be here and
this is the next avenue.
And here I am six years laterand he has been so such a huge
(04:46):
part of my growth in education.
He sat down with me two yearsago we have the same birthday, I
know right, like and it wasliterally the first thing.
It was like hey, he looked at Itattooed on my arm.
He's like oh, are you one ofthose astrological girls?
No, and it came out that oh, mygoodness, that's my birthday.
(05:08):
What do you mean?
That's mine.
So from there he sat down.
Two years ago we were out forour birthday and he said you
know, sarah, like I know thatthis is, you've always wanted to
go administrative, you'vealways wanted to go leadership,
and guess what, like I'm here tosay you have done so much.
Now I want you to be able tocontinue your dreams and
(05:30):
adventure and it has been sogreat so far.
So I applied to Bonnas and hereI am, halfway through.
Oh wonderful, yes.
So that's like, I guess, alittle bit of a snippet of where
I've come full circle as far as, like my personal life and in
education.
So here I am, 17 years in,still loving what I do.
Speaker 1 (05:49):
That is fantastic.
And the young ladies thatyou're the Bronis Mom for I love
their shoe gang.
Their shoes are amazing.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Yes, they were so cute.
And the fact that like theytuned into yours that night too
with one of the boardies like Ilove her shoes, Tell Dr Moore is
that.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
I still have to tell everybody about the shoes.
They were the cutest sneakers,oh my gosh.
So yes.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
Well, I'm glad that.
Compliments, I'm glad that.
So I will make sure to let themknow.
Hey, guess what Dr Moore isstill is loving on your shoe.
Bye.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
Bye, ladies.
Yeah, absolutely Well.
Thank you for that, and nowtell us about the work that
you're doing with yourinternship, because this is so
exciting.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
Yes, I am so thankful and so excited about everything
that I've been able to do andbe a part of and I have to say
it really stemmed from ourconversation a year ago, I mean,
and I'd had a conversation withyou and Jenny Blotta about,
like, what was most important tome and the things that I valued
.
You really tuned into that, sothat was huge for me.
(06:57):
As you know, my passion is withthe mentoring, with the, with
student teachers, with trying tomake sure that those who come
into the profession really arefeeling that Comfortability and
accessibility to those aroundthem and feeling like they're a
part of something, and I justreally, really appreciate the
fact that you're like you knowwhat.
(07:17):
We really have some things thatwe need to look into, dive
further into things that haven'tbeen looked at in a while, and
that was making a TA handbookand really finding things that
would work best for them.
And today I'm actually meetingup with our OTA president and Dr
Gears-Ary to go further intowhat.
Where I'm at right now.
It's 27 pages in the length,yeah, and it's come really far
(07:41):
since the get go in the fall.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
We talked about.
It was just conceptual.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
No, no, I actually have like a full blown example
in my bag and I was like it'samazing, yeah, so it's really
come to life and it's it's.
It's been great.
I've been able to talk to theTAs about things that they need
there, the things that they arelooking for and feeling like
they still are curious aboutwondering about professional
development and really takingtheir ideas and thought out in a
(08:10):
couple of different meetingsthat we had and working with Dr
Gears-Ary so closely and beingable to bring that to life and
what does that look like.
And doing a lot of research onNew York state's requirements,
what other districts are doingto kind of make sure that their
TAs are really feeling of valueand are being seen and used, you
(08:30):
know, in the best possible ways.
So I'm excited to get that kindof in first edition format by
the end of the year.
It's definitely a goal of mineand I think it's one that can be
accomplished, of course.
Yes, so yes, and I think it'sgreat too, because you had you
would use the, the verbiage tohave a triangular kind of
(08:52):
uniform to look at it, where wehave a handbook for new to new
hires as far as T Teachers areconcerned and having a handbook
for new administrative peoplecoming into only and, and then
also having a handbook for thoseTAs that are starting to really
move up the ladder in their ownway and department, and I think
(09:12):
having that full triad will behuge going forward and to make
again the connectivity come toplay, and I really just value
that substantially.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
Yeah, and thank you for helping that come to life,
because I remember we talkedabout it conceptually and now
it's like wow, it's here, it's aproduct, it's a thing, it's
there to be used as a resource.
It's wonderful.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
And I really have loved that.
From that resource, mike and Ihave talked about like, well,
what can we do for new hires?
This year we had such a hugecohort and that was so wonderful
to kind of see such growth forthe district and also to see
that we are coming to life in abrand new way.
Yeah, and I think that there isa new avenue to be to go down
(09:59):
and kind of things to look atand and kind of value.
So he said he's like would youlike to try to set something up
with your OTA president to putin front of the new hires of the
year, whether they've hadseveral years experience or are
brand new?
And so back at the end ofJanuary we did a power hour,
rachel and I, and I was reallyimpressed because it was not a
(10:21):
mandate.
So I want to just stipulatethat, that it was not a mandate.
It was basically come if youwould like and if you would like
to kind of meet others and justkind of talk and have a round
table style discussion.
So there was 19 of them thatshowed and that was really
impressive because, like I said,it wasn't a mandate.
It wasn't, you know, do thisfor whatever reason it was, come
(10:44):
at your own free will, and Ithink that that showcases how
vested they are and that they'relooking to truly kind of find
their own way and meet others inthe same facet.
So what did you discuss Duringthat timeframe?
I kind of started off I'm a hugeCayenne Cooperative Learning
and I wanted to be able to embedthings that they could bring
(11:05):
back to their classrooms, butalso be able to be directly
correlated to them getting toknow one another and having very
open-handed conversations abouthow they were feeling whether
they were feeling like they werein a really good place or
they're questioning things orthey're just feeling completely
out of source wherever they wereand at that moment, to kind of
(11:28):
have those things.
We talked about things thatthey would need to know as far
as their teach accounts onlineand what 403B and getting
invested in that at an earlytimeframe in your career and not
necessarily waiting on thosethings, which is huge, right
that?
Speaker 1 (11:46):
is huge because I still learn things about what we
should and shouldn't be doingto prepare for that next stage
of our professional and personallife and I'm closer to the end
and I'm still learning stuff.
I mean, it's so invaluable thatyou guys are sitting down with
them now, at the beginning oftheir career, especially in
(12:06):
Olean, and saying, hey, you'restarting this.
Here are some ways to make surethat you're set for later.
That's good.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
It was just tips and tricks and we also just talked
about, we went into how theywere feeling as far as their
mentor program was concerned andthe mentorship.
Were they using the handbookthat we have provided for them?
Were they kind of?
How often were they meetingwith their counterparts and
their colleagues?
Were they feeling connected tothose people?
(12:35):
Were they feeling like theycould go to them and have that
understanding and respect, thatthey were seen just as much as
someone who had been here for awhile and such?
They were very honest and whatI really loved is I had also
done a questionnaire that theycould do after the power hour
and today that's one of thethings that we're discussing is
kind of the data that came outof that.
(12:57):
What they need going forwardand what I thought was going to
be the case was really not.
They actually really loved thepower hour style.
They loved to be able to kind ofjust be in that facade where
they could kind of unwind,unravel and be seen and also be
like, oh, you're also having thesame thought processes or, oh,
(13:19):
you have the same questions.
I'm not alone, but a lot of them, I have to say they love their
mentors, they love therelationship that they have
built with them and feel thatsecurity there and at least
having one or two people thatyou feel connected to and also
just are able to go to withanything and have no holds bar
of what's going to be said andnot feel restricted in any way,
(13:41):
I think is really really a value, and I love the fact that Dr
Erozeri showed up we actuallyhad pizza and wings for them and
made it really a low key event.
We are planning, I think, to doanother one towards the end of
the year to kind of see how therest of the year has gone.
(14:02):
We've talked about types ofthings to put in for report
cards, things to tie in like howto tie in for even like
progress reports, stuff likethat, and then things that they
felt were kind of lacking and orthat they still had questions
on, to be very cognizant of themwhen we do new teacher
orientation this summer, like,okay, this is the stuff that
(14:22):
they honed in on.
Now we need to take thisinformation and really make sure
that we are cognizant of thatto put it in play for the future
of Olean and new hires that arecoming in, especially with all
the new changes with SPED.
Like seeing all of those youknow, those jobs coming down and
knowing that there is growththat's happening, I think this
(14:44):
is a huge time to have it kindof come into play.
Speaker 1 (14:46):
Yeah, yeah.
So did you guys do something atthe beginning of the year when
the new mentor mentee pairingswere made, or was this something
you guys did mid-year?
And if so, is this somethingthat you would suggest doing in
the future years?
Speaker 2 (15:03):
Okay, so, kind of going along with your questions,
what kind of happened is, as amentor, we sat down with Jenna
Toast and we had to discuss howto kind of go through the
handbook.
What was kind of?
Of need we met our mentor, wemet our mentor.
Of need we met our mentee atthe beginning of the year.
But as far as having anythingformalized where we started the
(15:25):
year off with them, that wasn'tnecessarily the case.
And when having very kind ofconversations with Mike about we
need to beef this up, we needto make them feel that they're a
part of this, we know that thisis something that we really
need to hone in on.
He's like, okay, well, let's atleast do a mid-year and from
there and from whatever data wecollect and and use that to be
(15:46):
able to maybe do this bi-monthly.
And I'd actually given him afull PowerPoint thought process
of going forward of like we doit for new teacher orientation,
we do one right around like theOctober-ish, november-ish era
timeframe, again in January andthen again in May, and having
those just couple of timesscaffolded throughout the year
(16:08):
to make it really a soundprogram so that people, both the
mentors and the mentees, arefeeling that.
The mentees liked to be able tohave that time alone, but they
also thought it would bebeneficial to have some times
where we are cohesive with thementors so that that open
conversation is taking placewith both sides.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
Yeah, yeah, that's a great idea and that also
provides that opportunity forthat relationship building
between all of these people andit helps them feel like, you
know, the Husky community istheir community and that's what
we want.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
Yes, and I said that I was like you know, we're a
pack, for a reason that we can'tdo this alone, and we know that
.
And to be able to excuse me, tobe a part of a pack you have to
be able to have ups and downsand room for growth.
And they were all like just sothankful and appreciative and
willing to do it again and Ithink that that just shows their
(17:06):
commitment and I appreciatedthat too, because you know, you
never know, especially ineducation, where people's
thought processes are after youknow, whatever their journey is
with education and kind ofseeing where they're going.
But they all had great thingsto say and I think today to kind
of dissect into the data willbe really beneficial as far as
(17:29):
what exactly the plan is for thenext power hour.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
Yeah, yeah, that's fantastic and that's amazing
work.
I mean it's never been donebefore, but it sounds like it
has that perfect effect on ournewest teachers, helping them
feel supported, helping them bewelcomed to the pack and helping
support them through the firstyear so that they'll be
successful going.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
And I love, yes, all of that, and I love the fact
that the newbies, like they,have that ability to have a
second year too.
And I would really love to beable to, especially with this
cohort, continue with them nextyear and just even if it's just
a like three times throughoutthe year, having that time with
them just to kind of say like,hey, now you're in year two,
(18:13):
you're halfway through to yourtenure point, what are the types
of things that you're really,you know, thinking about now
that you've had at first yearand you know, has there been any
changes to the grade level thatyou're teaching?
Those types of things that younever really know until, say,
the end of the school year, whatthose changes could be.
So I think that that will bebeneficial and I also kind of
(18:34):
see them as like a big it couldbe a big brother, big sister
program that they could alsolink up with potential new hires
and be like you know what I'monly in year two, but we're all
in this together.
I had said to to Dr Gehr's areaI'd love to find a spot
somewhere in the high schoolwhere they can all sign their
names and put class of 2024 orsomething to that effect, or we
(18:56):
join the pack in 2024 and beingable to have them sign it, just
so that they know regardlessthat they are.
They're fully committed andalso a part of the unity that is
the pack.
Speaker 1 (19:09):
so yeah, I think that's a wonderful idea.
I think that's great.
Um.
So yeah, I could completely seelike a big, huge husky and we
all sign our name.
Speaker 2 (19:18):
That would be fantastic and I think it would
be really good for them to feelthat, like every year going back
like you know, that was theyear that I started, or these
names that are up there arepeople that I can still go to
now, and that was something thatI don't know about for you, but
for me, like the women that Istarted with or are some of my
best friends to this day, andeven those who've gone into
administration already, who are,who are ventured in different
(19:40):
pathways and journeys um intheir careers, I still think of
them as that group of women thatwe started together and we grew
throughout our career path, andI think that that's so valuable
and I just am really, um, aproponent of wanting that for
other people, oh, yeah, yeah andI definitely.
Speaker 1 (19:59):
I definitely have my connection with my, my friends
and people, like you said, whostarted this with me and we're
still doing this.
I call them.
I'm like what would you do inthis situation?
What's a good way to approachthis?
Speaker 2 (20:13):
and it's just amazing because you know that they've
gone through the same amount oftime that you have and they have
a wealth of experience and theycan share that knowledge base
is huge and I just I I thankedRachel non-stop, our OTA
president, about just being umwith me on this journey, because
I think having somebody thatthey feel is connected to them
(20:34):
in the union and as a part ofthat pathway also is huge,
because they knew I was veryhonest with them, saying that I
was going through leadership butthat this was part of my
internship and my pathway.
But I also said to them I'mstill with you 100% because I'm
I'm still in the, you know, I'mstill in the classroom also and
I'm still in this journey, inthis section of my journey, and
(20:54):
my door is always open and Idon't ever want any of you to
feel that like, oh, I know she'sgoing this pathway.
No, this is truly somethingthat is 100% um, a part of where
I see myself, and knowing thatmentorship is so, so important
right, right.
Speaker 1 (21:10):
And that's important too, because I remember and I'm
sure you're having this verysame impact.
You have your mentor, you havemaybe the people that you work
through in the building, but youalways remember that person who
had that positive impact on youand you're having this positive
impact on all these people whoare going to be here and grow as
(21:32):
part of our um only impact.
So that's a great, greatexperience for them and for you,
and it just really sets us upfor success going forward.
Speaker 2 (21:41):
I truly agree with that and I just I, it's
something that is just so nearand dear to my heart and I I
just have said, like you know, Ithink back to the other mentees
that I've had over the yearsand you know, throughout the 17
years and I still am in contactwith them and the student
teachers that I've had the lastcouple years.
I just really want them to feelthat success also and and know
(22:02):
that they always have someonethat they can go to and and feel
that connection with and I justam, like I said, I'm very
thankful that we had thatconversation a year ago and just
really was like okay, we knowthat this is, these are things
that are on our docket, theseare things that we want to
enhance.
We want to bring that pack tobe even stronger and make a
(22:22):
unified front for everyone, andI can't wait to.
I've got some ideas for, um,things for new teacher
orientation that Mike and I areyeah.
So Mike and I've got some.
He's like you know, sarah, it'sfunny like I say something and
then you then you're like, well,what about this, this and this?
Or like you take it to life?
And I was like, well, but if itwasn't for you saying, hey, why
not try this, you know those,those ideas wouldn't even be
(22:45):
spawning.
So it's definitely a teameffort and I appreciate all of
that from everyone.
Um, my, my principle's beengreat, but I like I said, like
me emailing her yesterday beinglike hey, I'm going up to do the
podcast and this is why andshe's like, of course, like
everybody's just so great andjust shows that there is that
pack and to let the new hiresknow that it really is truly
(23:07):
there and how strong it canreally be yeah, yeah and how
rewarding it is and it's for ourkids and the end.
Speaker 1 (23:14):
And when people hear about that type of community
that we have here, then theywant to come here, they want to
bring their kids here, they wantto work here, they want to be
part of that community.
Speaker 2 (23:24):
So it really benefits our kids in the end it was just
it was a great power hour andagain it was it kind of just
flowed really well where we didkind of um to truce and a lie to
kind of make them feelcomfortable, and then it was
going into a jigsaw of like,where are you, like, where are
you in the scheme of feelingsand using?
(23:45):
I don't know if you're familiarwith, but it's one of it's
actually one of Dan's favoritemovies is Inside Out.
Speaker 1 (23:51):
Oh, yeah, Inside Out Right, right, right.
Speaker 2 (23:54):
I am excited that they're having a second one drop
.
Yes, and I love the fact thatanxieties bring brought into it.
I'm like, oh, give us a big S,like it's.
It's funny to me, I find ithumorous.
But anyway, we kind of justdiscussed like, even though
there's only four or fiveproponents in Inside, out of
traits, that and feelings, therewere so many more but kind of
(24:16):
letting them discuss withintheir small groups and turning
and talking to one another andhaving that outlet and time I
also had given them Be your OwnMagnolia, which is basically
like find your own pathway, andit's just a little excerpt that
came out several years ago nowand it's basically just saying
like you might find teachersthat are in these categories,
(24:38):
but be the person who alwaysshines through and finding that
light every day in the job thatis so important and valuable,
and think about the studentsthat you're with and making
those connections with othersthat are in the same range of
career path as you, as well asthose who are veteran teachers,
and then coming together againjust to kind of enhance that
(25:01):
that pack.
Speaker 1 (25:02):
Yeah, so yeah, that's fantastic.
I'm just so excited to talkabout this with you, sir.
Anything else that you wouldlove to talk about?
Speaker 2 (25:12):
Honestly, I think that that pretty much like sums
up where I'm at right now, but Iwould love to come back, maybe
Absolutely, and do some aftereven like the next go round or
after new like or before newteacher orientation, to kind of
pump that up, because I thinkthat just being able to even
have the new ones come in andlike, just do a hey, my name is,
and those types of things andjust getting them rolling in on
(25:35):
the right pathway would bewonderful.
Speaker 1 (25:36):
I would love that.
Please come back anytime youwant.
These microphones will be herewaiting, oh good.
Speaker 2 (25:43):
Good and again.
Like the DJ side of me is likethis is so fun to be able to use
this again and be a part of it.
So thank you so much for today.
I've had a great time.
Speaker 1 (25:52):
Thank you for coming once again and I appreciate it,
and you are officially going tobe on the Husky Huddle.
I appreciate it, woohoo.
So thank you so much and I amgoing to hit stuff, woohoo.
I'd like to extend a veryspecial thank you to Sarah for
(26:18):
coming on to the Husky Huddleand I look forward to having her
again on the podcast.
I can't wait to share with youmore exciting work that we're
doing in our district via theHusky Huddle podcast, so I hope
that you'll tune in for our nextepisode.
Have a wonderful, wonderful day.
(26:40):
Music playing.
Welcome to our next episode of the Husky Huddle, and
I am so pleased to have with meSarah Morris, who's going to
tell us so much about thewonderful work that she's doing
here in Oakland.
Why don't you tell us?
Speaker 2 (00:19):
about yourself.
Okay, to start off, I have beenin the district for six years,
but this is actually my 17thyear of teaching.
I have gone kind of a differentpathway.
My undergrad is not in this,it's actually PR and marketing.
And I have to say just a sidenote, I'm super excited to be on
the air again, because Ihaven't been on the air since
college.
So this was also very excitingto be able to do this with you
(00:44):
today and kind of bring thatback into full swing.
Besides that, though, the 17years I taught in central New
York, in central square andwhere's that?
It's outside of Syracuse, upnear it's up north, heading on
up 81, heading towards Canada,that direction, so way up, and
(01:05):
then from there, they actuallywere able to give me a two-year
sabbatical, and I took asabbatical and taught overseas
at an international school inthe Czech Republic, which was
really cool.
Talk about learning yourself ina completely different way and
having to restructure your wholeeducational thought process,
because these were multilinguallearners, they were from all
(01:26):
over the world, they wereambassador students, they were
their children, they were justso full of knowledge and wealth
in different capacities, and itwas just a really unique.
I went to an internationalschool so awesome.
It was a super fun experienceand I lived with two women both
(01:47):
years that became my sisters ofPrague.
The three of us are still inconstant contact and I'm
actually still very muchinvolved with some of the people
that I taught over there withand still follow them on social
media and have seen the changesand and growth that they have
made at the international schoolsince I was there.
I was there in from 2014 to ohexcuse, yes 2014 to 2016.
(02:15):
So, yeah, awesome, it wasreally cool.
I went to my superintendent atthe time and I said to him look
like, here I am.
I've just gotten into my 30s.
I'm at that juncture in mycareer that I'm like I don't
necessarily have anything that'sholding me back, but I really
want to be able to expand out.
Would this be something thatcould be put into like a system
(02:35):
in place type thing?
And he was like yes, I thinkthat this is great.
It was, it was really awesome.
And then, from there, the thegreatest part about it was when
I was still in year one, I guess.
He went to our representativefor our union and was like Sarah
staying another year, and whileI was over there.
I was doing a lot ofcross-curricular stuff with the
(02:57):
district back stateside, whichwas really cool too.
We did a monster matchup, wedid a food integration thing
between both, so my kids wereable to see the kids stateside
and I was able to have thatlinkage with the district that
had given me such such anoutstanding first like go round
of something so unique.
And then when I came back, theywere so great to me that they
(03:21):
put me back with a principlethat I had started with and he'd
even moved buildings andthey're like we've got you all
lined up, and so from there Imet the love of my life and well
, yeah, he's, he's, he's awesome, and I never thought that I
would leave that area, but hewas who brought me down here and
I've become a bonus mom to twobeautiful girls.
(03:42):
Yes, yes, um, everythinghappens for a reason.
It was a random night that Imet him.
It was not so I wasn't even inthat thought process, but
obviously it's worked out.
The craziest part about it wasthe summer that I came down to
kind of just test the water, soto speak.
A opening happened to be atWashington West and it was in
(04:04):
second grade, and second andthird are my niches.
And I went and said you know,is this something that of that
you would be interested in meeven looking into, and so forth?
And I put myself out there andI remember the interview process
going really well and at theend they kind of left it with
this and I just reallydistinctly remember this.
(04:25):
They asked like is thereanything else that you would
like to say?
And I just remember saying tothem at the time I'm one.
You're probably wondering whysomeone with 11 years experience
is walking through your doorand it's really that, all of
that, I met the love of my lifeand I'm supposed to be here and
this is the next avenue.
And here I am six years laterand he has been so such a huge
(04:46):
part of my growth in education.
He sat down with me two yearsago we have the same birthday, I
know right, like and it wasliterally the first thing.
It was like hey, he looked at Itattooed on my arm.
He's like oh, are you one ofthose astrological girls?
No, and it came out that oh, mygoodness, that's my birthday.
(05:08):
What do you mean?
That's mine.
So from there he sat down.
Two years ago we were out forour birthday and he said you
know, sarah, like I know thatthis is, you've always wanted to
go administrative, you'vealways wanted to go leadership,
and guess what, like I'm here tosay you have done so much.
Now I want you to be able tocontinue your dreams and
(05:30):
adventure and it has been sogreat so far.
So I applied to Bonnas and hereI am, halfway through.
Oh wonderful, yes.
So that's like, I guess, alittle bit of a snippet of where
I've come full circle as far as, like my personal life and in
education.
So here I am, 17 years in,still loving what I do.
Speaker 1 (05:49):
That is fantastic.
And the young ladies thatyou're the Bronis Mom for I love
their shoe gang.
Their shoes are amazing.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Yes, they were so cute.
And the fact that like theytuned into yours that night too
with one of the boardies like Ilove her shoes, Tell Dr Moore is
that.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
I still have to tell everybody about the shoes.
They were the cutest sneakers,oh my gosh.
So yes.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
Well, I'm glad that.
Compliments, I'm glad that.
So I will make sure to let themknow.
Hey, guess what Dr Moore isstill is loving on your shoe.
Bye.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
Bye, ladies.
Yeah, absolutely Well.
Thank you for that, and nowtell us about the work that
you're doing with yourinternship, because this is so
exciting.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
Yes, I am so thankful and so excited about everything
that I've been able to do andbe a part of and I have to say
it really stemmed from ourconversation a year ago, I mean,
and I'd had a conversation withyou and Jenny Blotta about,
like, what was most important tome and the things that I valued
.
You really tuned into that, sothat was huge for me.
(06:57):
As you know, my passion is withthe mentoring, with the, with
student teachers, with trying tomake sure that those who come
into the profession really arefeeling that Comfortability and
accessibility to those aroundthem and feeling like they're a
part of something, and I justreally, really appreciate the
fact that you're like you knowwhat.
(07:17):
We really have some things thatwe need to look into, dive
further into things that haven'tbeen looked at in a while, and
that was making a TA handbookand really finding things that
would work best for them.
And today I'm actually meetingup with our OTA president and Dr
Gears-Ary to go further intowhat.
Where I'm at right now.
It's 27 pages in the length,yeah, and it's come really far
(07:41):
since the get go in the fall.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
We talked about.
It was just conceptual.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
No, no, I actually have like a full blown example
in my bag and I was like it'samazing, yeah, so it's really
come to life and it's it's.
It's been great.
I've been able to talk to theTAs about things that they need
there, the things that they arelooking for and feeling like
they still are curious aboutwondering about professional
development and really takingtheir ideas and thought out in a
(08:10):
couple of different meetingsthat we had and working with Dr
Gears-Ary so closely and beingable to bring that to life and
what does that look like.
And doing a lot of research onNew York state's requirements,
what other districts are doingto kind of make sure that their
TAs are really feeling of valueand are being seen and used, you
(08:30):
know, in the best possible ways.
So I'm excited to get that kindof in first edition format by
the end of the year.
It's definitely a goal of mineand I think it's one that can be
accomplished, of course.
Yes, so yes, and I think it'sgreat too, because you had you
would use the, the verbiage tohave a triangular kind of
(08:52):
uniform to look at it, where wehave a handbook for new to new
hires as far as T Teachers areconcerned and having a handbook
for new administrative peoplecoming into only and, and then
also having a handbook for thoseTAs that are starting to really
move up the ladder in their ownway and department, and I think
(09:12):
having that full triad will behuge going forward and to make
again the connectivity come toplay, and I really just value
that substantially.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
Yeah, and thank you for helping that come to life,
because I remember we talkedabout it conceptually and now
it's like wow, it's here, it's aproduct, it's a thing, it's
there to be used as a resource.
It's wonderful.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
And I really have loved that.
From that resource, mike and Ihave talked about like, well,
what can we do for new hires?
This year we had such a hugecohort and that was so wonderful
to kind of see such growth forthe district and also to see
that we are coming to life in abrand new way.
Yeah, and I think that there isa new avenue to be to go down
(09:59):
and kind of things to look atand and kind of value.
So he said he's like would youlike to try to set something up
with your OTA president to putin front of the new hires of the
year, whether they've hadseveral years experience or are
brand new?
And so back at the end ofJanuary we did a power hour,
rachel and I, and I was reallyimpressed because it was not a
(10:21):
mandate.
So I want to just stipulatethat, that it was not a mandate.
It was basically come if youwould like and if you would like
to kind of meet others and justkind of talk and have a round
table style discussion.
So there was 19 of them thatshowed and that was really
impressive because, like I said,it wasn't a mandate.
It wasn't, you know, do thisfor whatever reason it was, come
(10:44):
at your own free will, and Ithink that that showcases how
vested they are and that they'relooking to truly kind of find
their own way and meet others inthe same facet.
So what did you discuss Duringthat timeframe?
I kind of started off I'm a hugeCayenne Cooperative Learning
and I wanted to be able to embedthings that they could bring
(11:05):
back to their classrooms, butalso be able to be directly
correlated to them getting toknow one another and having very
open-handed conversations abouthow they were feeling whether
they were feeling like they werein a really good place or
they're questioning things orthey're just feeling completely
out of source wherever they wereand at that moment, to kind of
(11:28):
have those things.
We talked about things thatthey would need to know as far
as their teach accounts onlineand what 403B and getting
invested in that at an earlytimeframe in your career and not
necessarily waiting on thosethings, which is huge, right
that?
Speaker 1 (11:46):
is huge because I still learn things about what we
should and shouldn't be doingto prepare for that next stage
of our professional and personallife and I'm closer to the end
and I'm still learning stuff.
I mean, it's so invaluable thatyou guys are sitting down with
them now, at the beginning oftheir career, especially in
(12:06):
Olean, and saying, hey, you'restarting this.
Here are some ways to make surethat you're set for later.
That's good.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
It was just tips and tricks and we also just talked
about, we went into how theywere feeling as far as their
mentor program was concerned andthe mentorship.
Were they using the handbookthat we have provided for them?
Were they kind of?
How often were they meetingwith their counterparts and
their colleagues?
Were they feeling connected tothose people?
(12:35):
Were they feeling like theycould go to them and have that
understanding and respect, thatthey were seen just as much as
someone who had been here for awhile and such?
They were very honest and whatI really loved is I had also
done a questionnaire that theycould do after the power hour
and today that's one of thethings that we're discussing is
kind of the data that came outof that.
(12:57):
What they need going forwardand what I thought was going to
be the case was really not.
They actually really loved thepower hour style.
They loved to be able to kind ofjust be in that facade where
they could kind of unwind,unravel and be seen and also be
like, oh, you're also having thesame thought processes or, oh,
(13:19):
you have the same questions.
I'm not alone, but a lot of them, I have to say they love their
mentors, they love therelationship that they have
built with them and feel thatsecurity there and at least
having one or two people thatyou feel connected to and also
just are able to go to withanything and have no holds bar
of what's going to be said andnot feel restricted in any way,
(13:41):
I think is really really a value, and I love the fact that Dr
Erozeri showed up we actuallyhad pizza and wings for them and
made it really a low key event.
We are planning, I think, to doanother one towards the end of
the year to kind of see how therest of the year has gone.
(14:02):
We've talked about types ofthings to put in for report
cards, things to tie in like howto tie in for even like
progress reports, stuff likethat, and then things that they
felt were kind of lacking and orthat they still had questions
on, to be very cognizant of themwhen we do new teacher
orientation this summer, like,okay, this is the stuff that
(14:22):
they honed in on.
Now we need to take thisinformation and really make sure
that we are cognizant of thatto put it in play for the future
of Olean and new hires that arecoming in, especially with all
the new changes with SPED.
Like seeing all of those youknow, those jobs coming down and
knowing that there is growththat's happening, I think this
(14:44):
is a huge time to have it kindof come into play.
Speaker 1 (14:46):
Yeah, yeah.
So did you guys do something atthe beginning of the year when
the new mentor mentee pairingswere made, or was this something
you guys did mid-year?
And if so, is this somethingthat you would suggest doing in
the future years?
Speaker 2 (15:03):
Okay, so, kind of going along with your questions,
what kind of happened is, as amentor, we sat down with Jenna
Toast and we had to discuss howto kind of go through the
handbook.
What was kind of?
Of need we met our mentor, wemet our mentor.
Of need we met our mentee atthe beginning of the year.
But as far as having anythingformalized where we started the
(15:25):
year off with them, that wasn'tnecessarily the case.
And when having very kind ofconversations with Mike about we
need to beef this up, we needto make them feel that they're a
part of this, we know that thisis something that we really
need to hone in on.
He's like, okay, well, let's atleast do a mid-year and from
there and from whatever data wecollect and and use that to be
(15:46):
able to maybe do this bi-monthly.
And I'd actually given him afull PowerPoint thought process
of going forward of like we doit for new teacher orientation,
we do one right around like theOctober-ish, november-ish era
timeframe, again in January andthen again in May, and having
those just couple of timesscaffolded throughout the year
(16:08):
to make it really a soundprogram so that people, both the
mentors and the mentees, arefeeling that.
The mentees liked to be able tohave that time alone, but they
also thought it would bebeneficial to have some times
where we are cohesive with thementors so that that open
conversation is taking placewith both sides.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
Yeah, yeah, that's a great idea and that also
provides that opportunity forthat relationship building
between all of these people andit helps them feel like, you
know, the Husky community istheir community and that's what
we want.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
Yes, and I said that I was like you know, we're a
pack, for a reason that we can'tdo this alone, and we know that
.
And to be able to excuse me, tobe a part of a pack you have to
be able to have ups and downsand room for growth.
And they were all like just sothankful and appreciative and
willing to do it again and Ithink that that just shows their
(17:06):
commitment and I appreciatedthat too, because you know, you
never know, especially ineducation, where people's
thought processes are after youknow, whatever their journey is
with education and kind ofseeing where they're going.
But they all had great thingsto say and I think today to kind
of dissect into the data willbe really beneficial as far as
(17:29):
what exactly the plan is for thenext power hour.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
Yeah, yeah, that's fantastic and that's amazing
work.
I mean it's never been donebefore, but it sounds like it
has that perfect effect on ournewest teachers, helping them
feel supported, helping them bewelcomed to the pack and helping
support them through the firstyear so that they'll be
successful going.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
And I love, yes, all of that, and I love the fact
that the newbies, like they,have that ability to have a
second year too.
And I would really love to beable to, especially with this
cohort, continue with them nextyear and just even if it's just
a like three times throughoutthe year, having that time with
them just to kind of say like,hey, now you're in year two,
(18:13):
you're halfway through to yourtenure point, what are the types
of things that you're really,you know, thinking about now
that you've had at first yearand you know, has there been any
changes to the grade level thatyou're teaching?
Those types of things that younever really know until, say,
the end of the school year, whatthose changes could be.
So I think that that will bebeneficial and I also kind of
(18:34):
see them as like a big it couldbe a big brother, big sister
program that they could alsolink up with potential new hires
and be like you know what I'monly in year two, but we're all
in this together.
I had said to to Dr Gehr's areaI'd love to find a spot
somewhere in the high schoolwhere they can all sign their
names and put class of 2024 orsomething to that effect, or we
(18:56):
join the pack in 2024 and beingable to have them sign it, just
so that they know regardlessthat they are.
They're fully committed andalso a part of the unity that is
the pack.
Speaker 1 (19:09):
so yeah, I think that's a wonderful idea.
I think that's great.
Um.
So yeah, I could completely seelike a big, huge husky and we
all sign our name.
Speaker 2 (19:18):
That would be fantastic and I think it would
be really good for them to feelthat, like every year going back
like you know, that was theyear that I started, or these
names that are up there arepeople that I can still go to
now, and that was something thatI don't know about for you, but
for me, like the women that Istarted with or are some of my
best friends to this day, andeven those who've gone into
administration already, who are,who are ventured in different
(19:40):
pathways and journeys um intheir careers, I still think of
them as that group of women thatwe started together and we grew
throughout our career path, andI think that that's so valuable
and I just am really, um, aproponent of wanting that for
other people, oh, yeah, yeah andI definitely.
Speaker 1 (19:59):
I definitely have my connection with my, my friends
and people, like you said, whostarted this with me and we're
still doing this.
I call them.
I'm like what would you do inthis situation?
What's a good way to approachthis?
Speaker 2 (20:13):
and it's just amazing because you know that they've
gone through the same amount oftime that you have and they have
a wealth of experience and theycan share that knowledge base
is huge and I just I I thankedRachel non-stop, our OTA
president, about just being umwith me on this journey, because
I think having somebody thatthey feel is connected to them
(20:34):
in the union and as a part ofthat pathway also is huge,
because they knew I was veryhonest with them, saying that I
was going through leadership butthat this was part of my
internship and my pathway.
But I also said to them I'mstill with you 100% because I'm
I'm still in the, you know, I'mstill in the classroom also and
I'm still in this journey, inthis section of my journey, and
(20:54):
my door is always open and Idon't ever want any of you to
feel that like, oh, I know she'sgoing this pathway.
No, this is truly somethingthat is 100% um, a part of where
I see myself, and knowing thatmentorship is so, so important
right, right.
Speaker 1 (21:10):
And that's important too, because I remember and I'm
sure you're having this verysame impact.
You have your mentor, you havemaybe the people that you work
through in the building, but youalways remember that person who
had that positive impact on youand you're having this positive
impact on all these people whoare going to be here and grow as
(21:32):
part of our um only impact.
So that's a great, greatexperience for them and for you,
and it just really sets us upfor success going forward.
Speaker 2 (21:41):
I truly agree with that and I just I, it's
something that is just so nearand dear to my heart and I I
just have said, like you know, Ithink back to the other mentees
that I've had over the yearsand you know, throughout the 17
years and I still am in contactwith them and the student
teachers that I've had the lastcouple years.
I just really want them to feelthat success also and and know
(22:02):
that they always have someonethat they can go to and and feel
that connection with and I justam, like I said, I'm very
thankful that we had thatconversation a year ago and just
really was like okay, we knowthat this is, these are things
that are on our docket, theseare things that we want to
enhance.
We want to bring that pack tobe even stronger and make a
(22:22):
unified front for everyone, andI can't wait to.
I've got some ideas for, um,things for new teacher
orientation that Mike and I areyeah.
So Mike and I've got some.
He's like you know, sarah, it'sfunny like I say something and
then you then you're like, well,what about this, this and this?
Or like you take it to life?
And I was like, well, but if itwasn't for you saying, hey, why
not try this, you know those,those ideas wouldn't even be
(22:45):
spawning.
So it's definitely a teameffort and I appreciate all of
that from everyone.
Um, my, my principle's beengreat, but I like I said, like
me emailing her yesterday beinglike hey, I'm going up to do the
podcast and this is why andshe's like, of course, like
everybody's just so great andjust shows that there is that
pack and to let the new hiresknow that it really is truly
(23:07):
there and how strong it canreally be yeah, yeah and how
rewarding it is and it's for ourkids and the end.
Speaker 1 (23:14):
And when people hear about that type of community
that we have here, then theywant to come here, they want to
bring their kids here, they wantto work here, they want to be
part of that community.
Speaker 2 (23:24):
So it really benefits our kids in the end it was just
it was a great power hour andagain it was it kind of just
flowed really well where we didkind of um to truce and a lie to
kind of make them feelcomfortable, and then it was
going into a jigsaw of like,where are you, like, where are
you in the scheme of feelingsand using?
(23:45):
I don't know if you're familiarwith, but it's one of it's
actually one of Dan's favoritemovies is Inside Out.
Speaker 1 (23:51):
Oh, yeah, Inside Out Right, right, right.
Speaker 2 (23:54):
I am excited that they're having a second one drop
.
Yes, and I love the fact thatanxieties bring brought into it.
I'm like, oh, give us a big S,like it's.
It's funny to me, I find ithumorous.
But anyway, we kind of justdiscussed like, even though
there's only four or fiveproponents in Inside, out of
traits, that and feelings, therewere so many more but kind of
(24:16):
letting them discuss withintheir small groups and turning
and talking to one another andhaving that outlet and time I
also had given them Be your OwnMagnolia, which is basically
like find your own pathway, andit's just a little excerpt that
came out several years ago nowand it's basically just saying
like you might find teachersthat are in these categories,
(24:38):
but be the person who alwaysshines through and finding that
light every day in the job thatis so important and valuable,
and think about the studentsthat you're with and making
those connections with othersthat are in the same range of
career path as you, as well asthose who are veteran teachers,
and then coming together againjust to kind of enhance that
(25:01):
that pack.
Speaker 1 (25:02):
Yeah, so yeah, that's fantastic.
I'm just so excited to talkabout this with you, sir.
Anything else that you wouldlove to talk about?
Speaker 2 (25:12):
Honestly, I think that that pretty much like sums
up where I'm at right now, but Iwould love to come back, maybe
Absolutely, and do some aftereven like the next go round or
after new like or before newteacher orientation, to kind of
pump that up, because I thinkthat just being able to even
have the new ones come in andlike, just do a hey, my name is,
and those types of things andjust getting them rolling in on
(25:35):
the right pathway would bewonderful.
Speaker 1 (25:36):
I would love that.
Please come back anytime youwant.
These microphones will be herewaiting, oh good.
Speaker 2 (25:43):
Good and again.
Like the DJ side of me is likethis is so fun to be able to use
this again and be a part of it.
So thank you so much for today.
I've had a great time.
Speaker 1 (25:52):
Thank you for coming once again and I appreciate it,
and you are officially going tobe on the Husky Huddle.
I appreciate it, woohoo.
So thank you so much and I amgoing to hit stuff, woohoo.
I'd like to extend a veryspecial thank you to Sarah for
(26:18):
coming on to the Husky Huddleand I look forward to having her
again on the podcast.
I can't wait to share with youmore exciting work that we're
doing in our district via theHusky Huddle podcast, so I hope
that you'll tune in for our nextepisode.
Have a wonderful, wonderful day.
(26:40):
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On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!