Sara is the Dean for Dallas College’s School of Education and also the Founding Executive Director for the Center for Reigniting the Educator Workforce (CREW). In her role as dean she leads the School’s strategy for providing high-quality teacher education pathways that meet the region’s educator workforce needs. Sara spearheaded Texas’ first Department of Labor approved teacher apprenticeship and also led efforts to re-imagine the faculty role to focus on coaching and facilitating job-embedded, skills-based coursework. This work, especially the focus on infusing curriculum literacy in pre-service training, was commended by the Texas Education Agency in the innovation category in 2023. Dallas College boasts a four-year bachelor’s degree graduation rate of 69 percent, compared to a 30 percent average four-year bachelor’s degree graduation rate for public institutions in Texas.
In her role as the Founding Executive Director for CREW, Sara is spearheading a statewide effort to support school systems and institutions of higher education to develop and launch teacher apprenticeships. Prior to joining Dallas College, Sara served as the Executive Director for Educator Workforce with the Louisiana Department of Education, where she led key policy and teacher workforce initiatives. This included developing Louisiana's nationally recognized teacher preparation accountability system and spearheading a fellowship for human capital leaders. Sara also worked in the non-profit sector leading cultural and professional exchange programs in partnership with the Republics of Germany and Korea, U.S. Congress, and fortune 500 companies. She holds a bachelor’s in political science and german from The University of Michigan, a master’s of science in teaching from PACE University, a master’s in business administration from NYU, and a master’s in educational leadership from the Broad Center.
Sara also serves as an educator preparation program expert for CCSSO. Sara loves to row, cycle, and spend time with her family.
Why did you decide to join DFI’s board?
I am highly invested in DFI's mission, I have a great deal of respect for DFI's team members, and I am excited to leverage my experience and insight to support DFI's critical work.
What is one pivotal moment in your career that helped shape how you view your own role in supporting instructional quality?
It is incumbent upon leaders to pay attention to, and solve around, the structures that impede instructional quality. This belief was solidified for me in the work I led to change the structure of faculty roles so that faculty members are able to focus on what matters most - building relationships with students, coaching them, modeling effective teaching practices, and supporting them to develop their instructional skills.
Describe a teacher or student who made a lasting impact in your life.
I am a first-generation college student and began my post-secondary studies, full of nerves and short on confidence, at my local community college. My speech coach, "Coach Bear", challenged me to find my voice and step up to the plate. I will be forever grateful for his support during that pivotal time.
What most excites you about the work of transforming educator preparation?
Investing in educator preparation is like investing in your health today - taking those walks and eating your vegetables - so that your future-self thrives. Transforming teacher preparation is how we proactively support the next generation of teachers so that their students flourish from the very beginning. It is profoundly hopeful work.