LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

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Sara Sweeney

Position: Teacher, Board Member, Equity Committee Chair
School: DaVinci Academy of Arts + Science
School District: MN Association of Charter Schools
City, State: Ham Lake, MN

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Music that Describes Sara

Sara Sweeney was nominated by an anonymous colleague.

Ms. Sweeney is a rock star—not an actual rock star, but a rockstar of a teacher. And human. She is one of those people who truly cares about the people they come in contact with and wants to make a positive difference. She is a person who comes into your life and is hard to forget.

Ms. Sweeney is a LifeChanger because of her involvement in the school community, passion for equity, and dedication to growing her knowledge and skills related to the education profession.

"I have known Sara since the summer of 2021. She was a new teacher to our school and the profession in general, and she was a natural. Do you know those educators who have an innate ability to connect with others and truly care about helping them develop into healthy, functioning people with great character? That's Sara! Sara is very active in our school community," said the nominator.

In her first year, she quickly joined the Equity Committee. Due to her consistent involvement and passionate participation, she was asked to be a co-chair the following year. She is now in her third year of serving as Equity Co-Chair with no plans of slowing down. Ms. Sweeney is passionate about equity and inclusion, helping all voices be heard, respected, and invited to the table to share their ideas and input. In addition to her role as a 4th-grade teacher and Equity Leader in her K-8 charter school, DaVinci Academy of Arts and Science, she serves as a board member. On top of that, Ms. Sweeney is advancing her knowledge, skills, and training by completing her doctoral degree in education.

"I am so proud of Sara and the hard work that she does daily for her students, coworkers, and our school community," the nominator added.

Ms. Sweeney is a light of a person. You can hear her sharing her joy by singing songs at various points throughout the day. She is gifted at connecting with people and allowing them to feel seen, heard, and respected for the unique individuals they are.

"She is a gem of a person, and we are so incredibly fortunate and grateful to have her on staff at our school. Sara Sweeney has changed my life for the better, as well as the lives of so many other people who have come in contact with her," the nominator added. "She is one of those special people who others will remember long after they first interact with her. She deserves the LifeChanger of the Year Award for her involvement, passion, and dedication to a positive present and an even better future."

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Comments (3)

Jamie Uitermarkt Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Sweeney makes a huge impact every day in the lives of her students and is so deserving of this award! Whenever I see this, I always think of her because it’s so true: “You’ve grown into someone who would have protected you as a child. And that is the most powerful move you made”. Her loving and caring spirit makes her a teacher that students will remember for a lifetime!

Douglas Gorsuch Posted over a year ago

Sara is one of the most compassionate and caring individuals I know. When it comes to her students, she puts their best interest first. It is extremely important to her to ensure that each student is felt to know they are special, heard, seen, and safe. She works diligently to provide a kind, open, caring, and nurturing environment for her students, and colleagues. It is in all of our best interest to ensure children are provided the opportunity to learn, grow, and evolve into the best version of themselves possible and Sara is a person who strives daily to achieve that result. We should all strive to be as caring and nurturing toward our children as Sara.

Kandace Gorsuch Posted over a year ago

Sara is an amazing teacher and just an overall human. I have been able to witness the way she teaches and cares for her students. I’ve volunteered in her classroom. From the way she sets up her classroom in the beginning of the year to getting her 4th grade students excited about their state projects. Ms. Sweeney really ensures the children learn to love to read and feel her love to read when they have their snack time, she reads a book to them. She is also makes all students feel welcome and heard in her classroom. In the morning when they start their day, they sing a song about being accepted, kind, loving and it sets their day off in a positive manner. Ms. Sweeney is truly a wonderful teacher.