With a career spanning several continents and diverse educational settings, Mrs. Sara Douglas’s transition from a geology major to an education specialist exemplifies a remarkable journey. Inspired by a guest speaker in an English literature class, Mrs. Douglas realized the profound impact teachers can have on their communities. Initially pursuing geology and anthropology, she ultimately chose education, completing her degree with a minor in history.
Mrs. Douglas’s teaching experience includes working in a low-income school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, where she helped students struggling with reading, and a 12-year stint at a dual-language Spanish-English immersion school. “Every kid I’ve ever worked with [has the potential to learn and study],” Mrs. Douglas emphasizes. Her recent move to Japan aligns with her long-standing goal of teaching overseas, inspired by her husband’s previous experience living in the country.
In her new role at St. Mary’s, Mrs. Douglas aims to understand the unique needs of students and staff. She values creating a welcoming classroom environment through activities like the “get to know you” exercise, which helps students share personal interests. Mrs. Douglas is committed to engaging parents by hosting events and informing them about their children’s progress, believing that “making people feel comfortable” is essential to their educational experience.
