Sara Anderson, who teaches advanced English at Ballard High School as a sophomore teacher, has had a fascinating journey that led her to the classroom. With 20 years of teaching experience, she’s confident, creative, and passionate about what she does. “Just because you might be the only one doing it doesn’t mean that it’s wrong,” she says, a motto that has guided her through life. Before coming to Ballard, Mrs. Anderson taught at Bullitt Central. She says one of the things she loves most about Ballard is the variety of people she gets to meet.
Her path to teaching wasn’t typical. Mrs. Anderson started out with a love of writing, earning a degree in print journalism. She even studied photojournalism in London, where she lived for six months next door to the French ambassador. While in London, she spent her time exploring the art scene, visiting galleries, and soaking up the city’s culture.
When she’s not teaching, Mrs. Anderson has plenty of hobbies that show off her creative side. She loves woodworking, a skill that combines craftsmanship and patience. Growing up, she spent her summers swimming in a lake and horseback riding, two things that remind her of simpler times. A big influence on her life was her childhood neighbor, a strong and independent widow. “She was a strong woman. When something really bad goes on in my life, I think, at least I didn’t lose a husband,” Mrs. Anderson says. That neighbor taught her how to face challenges head-on and inspired the resilience she carries with her today.
When asked how others might describe her, Mrs. Anderson says, “You know what, I’ll say one of a kind. I like to do what I do, and I’m pretty unapologetic when it comes to that.” Her close friend and colleague, Mrs. Starling agrees. She says that her first impression of Mrs. Anderson was that she was funny and kind. She also says that something she has learned from Mrs. Anderson is, “I think I have learned how to let some things go, honestly stress a little less” Although their classrooms aren’t close, the two have a strong bond. They’re both part of Ballard’s Arts Academy, and Mrs. Starling recalls that it was Mrs. Anderson who started their friendship.
Mrs. Anderson is happy to be at Ballard and proud of the work she does. She believes in celebrating effort and thinks there should be more ways to recognize hard work, making her a valued and memorable part of the Ballard community.