Sarah Jacobs

WHY DO I COACH?

Because at the end of each day I know my labors have gone towards helping great kids get into college. I am, at every lesson, impressed by my students’ diligence and determination in the crucible of demanding academics and extracurriculars. It is a joy to lessen the pressures they face as they apply to college and to help open doors previously shut to them.

BACKGROUND

I was born to learn and to instruct. In elementary school I coached younger students in math in return for comics-drawing lessons. In high school I mentored struggling middle school students and taught dance. Since college I have worked as an instructor with outdoor education nonprofit organizations.

I completed high school in three years and graduated with honors from the Elliott School of International Affairs at The George Washington University. Though I arrived at GW intent on a career in diplomacy for the State Department, I found myself consistently drawn away by my love of teaching. As a sophomore I was elected to the Executive Board of Balance--the GW Ballet group--as the chair in charge of all classes and teachers. In spring of my junior year, I completed a semester in the Rockies with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and learned valuable communication techniques that I use with students to this day.

After graduating from college, I worked as an instructor and coordinator with outdoor education nonprofit organizations in addition to coaching students across the gamut of standardized tests. Working with students highlighted the importance of both deep understanding of and technical proficiency with mathematical concepts, so I pursued and received a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Southern California and a California Single Subject Teaching Credential in Mathematics.

OTHER PURSUITS

When not tutoring, I can mostly be found in the mountains. If there's snow I'll have a snowboard; if there's not I'll have a backpack. I am actively involved with coordinating and leading the Worthington Field Studies summer trip.