Sara's Science Story

My journey into science began on my family's large dairy farm in a very small rural community. I was surrounded by the wonders of nature, which sparked my lifelong love of science.I had a caring 5th and 6th grade teacher who nurtured my curiosity, and an inspiring high school science teacher who encouraged my passion. 

My path into science education was anything but straightforward. I started as a nursing major, shifted to biology/pre-med, fell in love with research, and eventually took a five-year break from school to start a family. During this time, I worked in retail management and retail banking, learning valuable skills but feeling unfulfilled.

After a car accident, I realized I needed a different direction. A chance meeting with my former 5th and 6th grade teacher changed everything. Despite my struggles as a student, she remembered something positive about me. Her ability to see the good, even in a challenging student, inspired me. I wanted to be a teacher like her—someone who could hold onto the light in every student, no matter how difficult the path. It wasn’t until I had my own classroom that I truly knew I had found my calling.

As the founder of Assidere, I focus on reimagining assessment as a caring practice. I see assessment as an opportunity to affirm identities, foster relationships, and inspire joy and belonging in every learner. Through Assidere, I collaborate with educators to build caring communities where every student feels valued, celebrated, and a true sense of belonging. My goal is to transform assessment into opportunities for connection and growth, ensuring each learner's brilliance is recognized and nurtured.

I recognize that my perspective is shaped by my own privileges and lived experiences as a white, cisgender woman in education. My work is a constant effort to challenge the inequities that exist in our educational systems and to use my position to elevate the voices and experiences of those who have historically been marginalized. I believe that through empathetic listening, asset-based thinking, and authentic co-design, we can create assessment practices that honor every learner's unique journey.

Outside of my work, I find joy in spending time with family, tending to the menagerie of animals that my call my home their home, and savoring moments of creativity—whether it’s through exploring new ideas for caring assessments or simply finding beauty in the everyday.

What is your science story?