The biggest influencing factor on my identity would have to be my gender. Being a female allowed me to experience the most amazing gift: pregnancy and childbirth. My age, 43, has really helped me appreciate my role as a mom. Having given birth to my one and only child at the age of thirty-eight, after a very tumultuous journey, I did not think I was going to have children. So, the fact that I have my son is the single-most important part of my identity, right now

While I am of the “majority” culture, ethnically, I grew up in the very neighborhood where I first taught, so this put me in the unique position to not only understand what my students’ home lives were like but to better relate to them as individuals. I use my childhood as a bridge to build relationships with my students and their families.

I also come from a culturally diverse family. After my mom and biological father divorced, my mom remarried a Hispanic man, thus furthering my ability to relate to my Hispanic students. Growing up with my mom and my step-dad’s families, I enjoyed exposure to Southern-culture (particularly their love of music) and Mexican-traditions (such as making tamales from scratch).

Here is the “next generation” of my family…

Here’s our “little family”: me, my son, and our two dogs. Of course, we have a much larger extended family

Here’s my larger extended family, including sisters, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and parents.

A California native, I was born and raised in a small coastal town most people have never heard of: Port Hueneme (pronounced why-knee-me ). I have to say, it was a great upbringing. I have fond memories of trips to the beach and local parks with my Mom, Grandmother, and sisters. Going through my high school years with the same group of friends made the “best years of my life” even better. My favorite childhood memory is lying in bed on foggy evenings listening to the long, lonely cries of the foghorn warning ships that the shore was near.

I attended public school in a predominantly Hispanic school district from kindergarten to 8th grade. Being one of the only White kids in the district, I often felt like the outcast and had very few friends. I did have two best friends, though, one was Mexican and another was Black. We made quite the trio . Once I went to high school, I started hanging out with the “beach crowd”, which found me rebelling. I suppose I would have rebelled no matter who I hung around with, as that is the age it happens!

I attended community college for five years after graduating high school because I just couldn’t figure out what I wanted to do with my life. Once I got on the teacher track, though, I was hooked! I received my undergrad at Cal Poly in SLO. It was the most amazing experience, once I got over the culture shock of being around so many White people .

My two passions, aside from my son, my dogs, and education, are writing and gardening! I am an avid writer, in journals, on blogs, in academia. I simply love to write! And, I love working the land with my son to produce wholesome, organic fruits and veggies

My first name, Sara, was given me by my mother. I was named after a little ghost on her, then, favorite soap opera, Dark Shadows. She chose my middle name to be Renae because nothing else sounded good with Sara.

I’m not sure why but, growing up I was always referred to by my middle name. This led to problems for me when my class had a substitute, as the sub would always call out my first name, Sara. Since most of my classmates were not familiar with that name, teasing and ridicule always ensued. This is one reason I am very sensitive to my students’ names, nicknames, and pronunciations.

Aside from dressing up for Halloween, believing in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, one family tradition we have is “Un-Birthday Presents”. Whenever one of the kids in our family has a birthday, the siblings and/or cousins within age range receive a small but thoughtful “un-Birthday present”. I believe this started with my eldest sister’s children (and I think I am the guilty party that started it ). It continued with my younger sister’s children, and now my son and my grand-niece, who are very close in age, receive un-Birthday presents.

I’m not sure of any advice passed down from my ancestors, but I do come from a long line of strong, independent women. My grandmother raised nine children by herself, in the South, after her husband died. My mother was a single mother and sacrificed a lot for my older sister and me. My sisters and I are very strong, independent women, as well.

As a single mom to my son, I want him to be comfortable with and respect strong women, but I also want him to see my vulnerable, sensitive side. It is a delicate balancing act raising a son without his father.

I am very excited to be "here" with you all and look forward to getting to know each and every one of you as we embark on this “learning journey” together.

Dr. Sara