“Every year I am inspired by the hopes and dreams of my students, and I enjoy getting to help them on the path to accomplishing these dreams.” Ms. Yarian
Name: Sarah Yarian
School: Madrid Neighborhood School
District: Alhambra Elementary School
Grade(s) you teach: 5th grade ELA
How many students in your class(es) this academic year? On average, 25 per class (100 total students)
How long have you been a teacher? This is my 10th year as a teacher.
What made you get into the teaching profession?
I became a teacher because I believe it is the most impactful thing I could do as an individual to make the world a better place. Education creates opportunities, and it is so important to me that every child grows up with the knowledge and experiences they need to be successful in their future. Every year I am inspired by the hopes and dreams of my students, and I enjoy getting to help them on the path to accomplishing these dreams.
Who was your most inspirational teacher & why?
My high school English teacher Ms. Noonan was an inspiration to me. I usually got pretty good grades, but she was a teacher who truly pushed me to do better. I’ll never forget the day she handed back my essay with the words “You can do better than this!” written at the top. It showed me that she had high expectations for me, and she expected me to reach them. I strive to do the same for my students by always showing them what they are capable of.
What do you think are some of the biggest challenges teachers in Arizona face right now?
In Arizona, we have the opportunity to work with many students who are learning English for the first time. These students come to us with a variety of past school experiences, and it can be hard as a teacher to find ways to support them in both learning a new language and new content. Differentiating instruction to meet the needs of these English language learners is an important part of teaching, but it is also very challenging.
How do these issues affect your day to day?
I have gotten to learn about many different countries in the world through the eyes of my students! I am also always learning new ways to add in more language supports in my lessons. It can add some extra work as I need to provide these supports, but it also makes teaching even more rewarding to me.
What does the $250 tax deduction for school supplies for teachers mean to you?
I take advantage of the tax deduction each year to help pay for the various items I buy for my classroom, which are primarily organizational supplies like bins and shelves. This goes a long way to helping make my classroom a more inviting and relaxing place to be!
How are the expectations of becoming a teacher different from reality?
There are so many components that go into the work of a teacher, and many of them cannot be accomplished easily during a school day. We spend our day delivering lessons and working with our students, but before and after school are spent preparing for lessons, grading, communicating with parents, and a lot of other extra duties. It can be exhausting!
Why do you think teachers burn out so quickly?
Teaching requires a lot of engagement and energy each day. We are always “on” during our workday, but then we still have a lot of work to complete outside of teaching time. Especially in the first few years, it can be really hard to keep up. I’m not a new teacher, and I still struggle with getting it all done! It is an exhausting job.
Do you typically feel appreciated or recognized as a teacher?
I do! I feel very supported by my teammates, administrators, students, and their families.
What “fills your cup” when you’re running on empty?
I love receiving notes from my students! I keep a box of them at home with all my favorites from over the years, and when I’m feeling burnt out I go through and read them all. It helps me reconnect with my students and feel grateful for the opportunity to teach them.
What are some of the most thoughtful & effective ways parents & the community can show gratitude & appreciation?
I always appreciate hearing from parents. Kind words and messages of gratitude make me feel very appreciated.
What is your wish for your students, Arizona’s children?
My wish for all students is that they have the opportunities to be whatever they want to be in life. My goal is for them to all be academically prepared for the demands of college and the workforce, so that they have many choices open to them.
What additional support or supplies do you need in your classroom & who do people contact if they want to help out?
Many teachers on our campus use Donor’s Choose, so if individuals are interested in donating I would recommend using that site to find a project to support.
What is/are your FAVORITE/PREFERRED…
-College/University/Alma Mater? Boston University
-Color? Blue
-Food/restaurant? Any Mexican food!
-Music/group/artist? Beyonce
-Sport/athletics team? AZ Cardinals
-Snack & Beverage? Any salty food but especially Chex Mix, Diet Coke
-Pastime/hobby? Reading
-Do you have children/pets? 2 cats (Jack and Chloe) and 1 dog (Tinkerbell, chihuahua)
