LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Sarah Sampson was nominated by Maria Teresa G. Pedroche, a member of the community.

Ms. Sampson began her education journey building an elementary school theatre program in 2016. The intention of the program was to educate kindergarten through fourth grade students in social skills, emotional intelligence, and healthy self-expression through the practices of theatre. In two years, she taught over 700 students, directed 8 shows, and assisted with developing a communication program, The Keller Shake.

The Keller Shake is now a district wide competition for fourth graders who learn to initiate and hold adult conversations, including introductions, handshakes, eye contact, posturing, and appropriate questions and topics. These skills are evaluated in a yearly event judged by local officials, news reporters, and athletes.

In her classroom teaching role, Ms. Sampson began discovering the high need for students in the modern world to become more confident communicators. Despite her work with students on her campus, Ms. Sampson noticed that as more technology entered the classroom, her children appeared less socially connected. Additionally, with the high pressures and demands of academics and extra-curriculars, her students struggled with emotional regulation and stress management.

Ms. Sampson sought education in stress management practices through the University of California at San Diego and developed trainings to share with teachers district-wide and across the state at educational conferences. Though her heart was in the classroom, Ms. Sampson was interested in making a larger impact, so when Keller ISD announced they would be creating a position concerned with the social-emotional learning of all 34,000 students and 43 campuses, she jumped at the opportunity.

Social-emotional learning is defined by five core competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social-awareness, responsible decision making, and relationship building skills. Ms. Sampson began the new position in August and has once again been charged with starting a program from the ground up. In her current role, she will be implementing (SEL) social-emotional learning practices for students and trainings for staff in each Keller ISD school. She will also be consulting with the administration to create an SEL plan for each campus, with a goal of all 43 schools receiving individualized support by 2020.

Although she has received lots of support from her district with beginning the initiative, she is currently running the program without a budget. She has been creative with implementing free programs and recruiting volunteers, but she also has a vision to provide resources and supports to her district that would require monetary support. In addition to supporting her district full time, Ms. Sampson also teaches yoga and mindfulness children's classes in her community, mentors local youth, and volunteers for local educational non-profits.

"Not only is Sarah a life changer, but she would utilize the funds from this recognition to continue to change the lives the many students in her district," said Pedroche. "I truly cannot think of another educator with who is more deserving of such an honor, and who will use the honor to continue to better the lives of the young people she touches."