Name: Sarah Ford
Occupation & School: Career Counselor for CTE Program Students, Pittsburgh Career and Tech Ed
Years In Education: 16.5 years
Years At Current Position/School: 6th
Previously, I … taught at …
Reizenstein Middle School: 1.5 Years
Perry High School: 8 Years
Manchester K-8: 1 year
PFT: What compelled you to become a teacher and/or to work in education?
SARAH: As long as I can remember, I wanted to be a teacher. School was my favorite place. I loved to learn, play, and try new things. Not only did I love school, but I was fortunate to have many amazing teachers, professors, and coaches that made me want to work in education.
PFT: What do you like best about your career choice and job?
SARAH: I have been fortunate to work with thousands of students over the years and the favorite part of my job is when students “get it.” Whether it’s getting a concept or figuring out what they want to do after high school or when I run in to them at Target and they have a family, career, and become wonderful citizens.
PFT: Where/what school(s) did you pursue higher education?
SARAH: The higher ed institutions that I attended are Robert Morris College and California University of PA for undergrad, Capella University for my Masters, and currently attending Geneva’s Center for Urban Biblical Ministry.
My undergrad work was in Secondary Communications Education, Masters in School Counseling pre-k to 12th grade, and a certification in Urban Ministry.
PFT: In your opinion, what are the greatest challenges faced by educators today? Students? School districts? Any challenges specific to your subject matter expertise?
SARAH: The biggest challenge of teachers today is the competition for attention. Students are pulled in so many different ways, sports, social, and peers; those things often supersede the need for time spent studying and becoming an excellent student of life.
PFT: When did you join the union? Do you participate in any committees or hold any leadership positions? Ever taken any coursework or continuing education?
SARAH: I have been a union member since I started in the district. I have participated in ER&D classes; both taking and teaching. This year, I am a part of the Teacher Leadership Program.
PFT: In your own words, why is having union representation important? What’s the best thing about being in a union, whether you are an active or more passive participant?
SARAH: The best thing about being a union member is knowing that you have advocates fighting for you.
PFT: Do you have a mentor that introduced you to the PFT/Union? Please share who—and what that person meant to you and to your member development.
SARAH: I do not have an official mentor, but Kellie Skweres and Julie Stewart were teachers in one of my first ER&D classes. They made me want to continue taking classes and staying active, even if passively, in the union.
FINAL NOTES and Lightning Round:
People are surprised to learn... that my dream job was to be an anchor on ESPN.
SARAH’s FAVORITE…
Movie: Hackers
Book: This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti
Author: Jessica Fletcher
Singer: Too many to choose just one
Song: Maverick City “A Man of Your Word”
Color: Black
Food: Meat (ask anyone who knows me, I love all the meats … except seafood.)
Time of year: Spring
FAVORITE “SHARE-ABLE” QUOTE:
“You are the villain in someone’s story.”
