About Sarah Steiner
I grew up in Boise, Idaho, but have been in Goshen since 1994 when I came to Goshen College. I was the fourth generation in my family to attend Goshen College and never imagined myself going to school anywhere else! I taught in Goshen Schools from 1998-2003 and then took many years off when I had young children. I went back to the classroom in 2014 in Middlebury. I have taught fourth, second, first, kindergarten and reading intervention. I'm so glad I get to round out my teaching career with third graders at Bethany! I live north of Goshen with my husband, Rob, occasionally our son Jonah (a college student at Marquette University) and our son Eli (an 8th grader at Bethany). We have an 11 year old Miniature Golden-doodle, Nipper, who is now the most demanding member of our household. Our family enjoys traveling, basketball and board games. When I find myself with time to spare I like to quilt and read.
What is your philosophy of teaching?
In grades K-3 an educational foundation is laid that will last a lifetime. I believe that Lower School students deserve an experience at school that they want to return to, day after day. School is a huge part of a child's life! I believe that it is important to foster independence - never doing for a child something that they can do for themselves. I also am excited by new research coming out about how our brains learn. I think it's important to keep evolving as an educator. Curriculum changes based on student needs and interests and each class follows its own unique path. My students have taught me as much as I have taught them over the years, probably more!
What fuels your passion/drive to be an educator?
I truly believe that there is no profession more important than education. Our children deserve the best from all of us every day. It sounds cliche but we are truly shaping the future.
What type of classroom experience do you try to create?
Learning is an active process involving collaboration and hands-on materials to make new knowledge stick!
How do you keep students engaged in their learning experience?
With hands-on materials, lessons and experiences as well as engaging topics.
What qualities or life-skills do you wish to impart to your students?
I want my students to see themselves as lifelong learners who know that it is okay to make mistakes, to try again and to push themselves to learn new things. Anyone who is not learning is not growing!
What makes teaching at Bethany unique?
Bethany embraces a holistic view of teaching and learning that nurtures the whole student. The time spent learning outside of the classroom as well as inside is given priority and valued.
When you aren't teaching what can we find you doing?
I want to be quilting! But honestly I'm probably making dinner, walking my dog, playing a game with my son or catching up on things around the house! Unless it's summer in which case you'll find me poolside with a good book or traveling.
