What inspired me to go into teaching?

Working with the youth to be an enthusiastic vehicle for knowledge, cultivator of curiosity, and a passionate advocate for my subjects. I also realized that teaching was my dharma from aged 9, inspired by my dad and teachers in the family.

Hardly anybody knows that

I’ve made 28 round trips across the Atlantic. Even I’m amazed.

My Favorite Food

My mother’s Irish Stew – there’s nothing like it. Oh, and Rebecca Bellonci’s baking, especially her cupcakes, muffins, and banana bread.

If I had to choose I’d be a ninja/superhero/pirate

Superhero. Doing good is more evolutionary that being a pirate – even a half good one. And anyway, teaching is a bit like saving lives.

Favorite Place in Fairfield

“Revelations” – love being surrounded by all those books, the ambiance and service staff! Pity about their short opening hours. “Cafe Paradiso” comes a close second.

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The book, movie, work of art, or piece of music I cannot imagine life without

my 300 movies and many books that delight, enchant and enrich my heart–no violence!

What inspired me to go into teaching

the enjoyment I derive from watching people grow in confidence and a sense of empowerment through gaining knowledge and developing skills. Education should be a lifelong process.

If I had to brag

it would be that I was raised by parents who never tolerated prejudice in any form.

My teaching style is

to meet each student at his/her own level of strengths and weaknesses.

My Favorite Food

If it’s Mexican, I’ll eat it, except menudo!

If I had to choose I’d be a ninja/superhero/pirate

If I had to choose, I’d be myself. My internal dialogue keeps me constantly amused.

Favorite job perk

being part an incredible, dynamic, caring, and fun team of students, faculty, and administrators who live by the motto “the world is my family” and mean it!

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What Inspired Me to Go Into Teaching

The success I had in high school tutoring math students.

I am proud that

My husband and I are founding faculty (1981) of this school where we met and married in 1982.

Favorite Job Perk

A schedule that allows me to do group practice of the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi program and living in this special community.

If I had to brag

I climbed Mount Whitney at 53 years. My sisters and I took six days to walk the last 120 kilometers of El Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Spain, 2015.

I know I’ve been successful as a teacher when

My students come back to visit me to let me know how much they have appreciated my high expectations and rigor, which prepared them for college.

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What Inspired Me to Go Into Teaching

My parents were teachers; I love being around young people and provoking thought and empathy through literature and writing.

The book, movie, work of art, or piece of music I cannot imagine life without

Robert Schumann’s Rhenish Symphony and Elton John’s “Your Song,” both equally important.

I know I’ve been successful as a teacher when

A student finds their voice

If I had to brag

It would be about my daughters. They are wonderful women!

Hardly anybody knows that

I am pretty open; someone somewhere knows everything about me!

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If I had to choose, I would be a ninja/pirate/superhero

I would like to be a nice pirate, as Glenda the Good Witch of the North is to witches, or Robin Hood is to thieves. Per pre-arranged staging and choreography, I would board cruise ships and give chests of doubloons to all the newlyweds, and smaller bags of pieces-of-eight to all the guests, captain and crew. I like to give of what I have, as I give of my time to all my students today. I also envy the expanded vision pirates enjoy: they always know what’s happening and where.

Favorite Place in Fairfield

Long before I learned about meditation, I seemed to have an affinity for the transcendent. My boa constrictor’s name was Waldo, after Ralph Waldo Emerson. It was Thoreau’s Walden that inspired me to move into my Plains Indian teepee and seek a transcendental experience in nature. In 1973 I found TM and began fathoming the transcendental depths with effortless regularity. In this light, my favorite place in Fairfield is the transcendent, and my favorite place to be in the transcendent is Fairfield.

The book I cannot imagine my life without

Scaramouche by Raphael Sabatini 

Hardly anyone knows that

I was Secret Santa in 1998, and I made my acting debut and finale in 2000 as Samuel Chase, the Representative from Maryland in the play, 1776.

How I would describe myself in high school (e.g., nerd, jock, brown-noser, rebel, performer, other)

I was all of the above except a brown-noser. I had friends in the smart bunch, cut classes (not too many) with the pre-dropouts, ran track, cross country, and was in the Monogram Club, learned to play guitar from wild thespians, enjoyed hanging out with my fellow hunters and bass fishers, and had very understanding, trusting parents. Furthermore, I had a super fun English roadster with wire wheels and an unlimited gas allowance. In short, those were remarkably happy years.

If I had to brag

I soloed a sailplane (glider) at 14, earned my private license for sailplanes at 16, and soloed a Cessna on my 16^th birthday. I still draw on my knowledge of flying during physics discussions.

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If I had to choose, I would be a ninja/pirate/superhero

None.  I would just be who I am.

I know I’ve been successful as a teacher when

When I see that “Aha” look on a child’s face.

What inspired me to go into teaching

Kids, especially middle school kids.  I felt I had something to offer in the making of good human beings.

Hardly anybody knows that

I have a degree in Gemology.

If I had to brag

Always about the kids.

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Favorite Job Perk

The joy and excitement that children bring.

Hardly anyone knows

I know how to crochet.

I know I’ve been successful as a teacher when

My students are enjoying their time learning.

Favorite place in Fairfield

The Farmers’ Market.

Favorite Food

Fruit, almost any kind.

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Hardly anyone knows

I was a spelling bee champion as a child.

How I would describe myself from high school

Eclectic and shy.

Favorite place in Fairfield

Maharishi School

What inspired me to start teaching

the education offered at Maharishi School.

Favorite food

Salmon and rice

Favorite job perk

being in the same building as my own children every day!

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If I had to choose, I would be a Ninja/Pirate/Superhero. (Choose one). Why?

A superhero with healing abilities so that I could heal the world!

Favorite place in Fairfield

I love to read at revelations Café!

What inspired me to go into teaching

My love for children! I love being fun and innocent with them!

Hardly anyone knows that

I love to collect crystals and different types of antique tea sets from all over the world!

How would I describe yourself in High School

I was preppy and a social butterfly!

If I had to brag

I have won multiple dance competitions with my dance crew as a teenager.

The Book, Movie, Work of Art, or Piece of Music I cannot imagine life without

Harry Potter. Both the books and the movies!!

I know I’ve been a successful teacher when…

The students tell me that my class is their favorite class!

What my students call me

Miss Sarah or Miss Sooks!

When not in the classroom I can be found…

At the campus clinic or at the bookstore!

Favorite food

Spaghetti with red sauce, roasted broccoli and garlic bread

My teaching style

Free range, allowing the students to tell me what they are comfortable with in terms of dance.

Favorite job perk

The exercise I don’t typically get otherwise while dancing! HAHA!

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What inspired me to start teaching

I love children and I love how they think—simple and full of heart.

Hardly anyone knows

I worked on a #1 TV show on Nickelodeon called, “You Can’t Do That on TV”.

I know I’ve been successful as a teacher when

I know I’ve been successful when the children don’t want to leave the classroom!

Favorite place in Fairfield

The Library and Revelations Cafe are my favorite places because I love to read books.

If I had to brag

I am Canadian but plan to become an American citizen.

Favorite job perk

I get to come to school to be with my other family. But it’s really the students that are my favorite job perk!!

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The books I cannot imagine my life without

For 5-6^th graders: Small as an Elephant, Home of the Brave, Because of Winn-Dixie, Thief of Always. They are wonderful stories with deep life lessons like ‘life doesn’t have to be perfect for one to be happy’ or ‘there’s always someone available to help you beyond your parents.’

My teaching style

I consider myself more of a guide than an instructor: a guide with high standards.

I know I’ve been successful as a teacher when

students come to class happy; when they’re proud of what they do; when they’re confident; when they develop as self-starters and become independent learners.  Witnessing this fills my heart with joy and it’s so energizing.

When not in the classroom, I can be found

Knitting, being in nature, making art, travelling.

The part of teaching I love most

The foundation of my life is developing myself with the knowledge and experiences through Maharishi’s Vedic Sciences. I also love children and teaching. So teaching here is the perfect job for me.  It combines the things that I love most. I have the best job in the entire world. (There are, of course, times when I lose sight of this. I’m human.)

Favorite food

Anything delicious! I adore trying new foods from other cultures. Bring it on.

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