Congratulations to Mrs. Sarah Myers the JCPS Certified Employee of the Month for May 2025!
An educator with JCPS for six years, Mrs. Sarah Myers teaches mathematics at Choice Plus Academy and has been instrumental in helping develop the school from day one. In addition to teaching math, she also provides technology support to all staff and students.
Ms. Myers implements many tools in her classroom to help her students understand math concepts, problem solve, and stay engaged in their learning. She meets all students where they are academically and takes them to the next level by making learning interesting and fun. Many students have shared that they never understood math until they were in her class.
Ms. Myers is always the first to volunteer to assist someone, no matter the task. Choice Plus Academy could not operate on a day to day basis without her and she is very deserving of this recognition.
Thank you for all you do for the students of Johnston County Public Schools Ms. Sarah Myers, JCPS Certified Employee of the Month for May 2025!
Why did you choose the role of teaching?
I chose to be an educator because I wanted to share my love with people and teaching gave me a captive audience. Seriously, in my experience, no one likes math class. I wanted to be the teacher that made students want to learn math and get excited about it.
What has this profession taught you?
This profession has taught me to expect the unexpected! Math is such a clear cut subject with right and wrong answers. I tend to live in the black and white world of mathematics, gray is outside of my comfort zone. Teaching has allowed me to expand my view of the world, and to see things differently and through the perspective of students. I never know what my day is going to be like despite the structure I have in my classroom. It can be anxiety provoking but it is also beautiful to see when students learn and grow, not only as students but as human beings.
How do you create an environment for your students to feel successful as they learn?
I try to have a structured environment so the students know exactly what to expect. Our class routine is the same on the first day of the semester and on the last day of the semester. Students know that I have high expectations of them and will accept nothing less than their best effort. They also know what my response will be if they do what I expect or if they are goofing off.
My goal is not for them to be brilliant mathematicians but for them to be willing to stretch themselves, try something different, and be willing to make mistakes. Being able to predict the environment of the classroom and my responses to them as students gives them a feeling of safety to feel comfortable to ask questions and get out of their comfort zone, knowing that they will be treated with respect and fairness.
How do you plan to build on your award-winning strategies?
I plan to look more into what other school districts are doing with alternative schools that are successful. I would love to implement new strategies that will allow my students to grow and become successful learners.
As an educator, why is it important to build relationships with your students? How do you do that in your classroom?
Relationships build trust, and trust allows students to feel safe and comfortable. I take the time to get to know each of my students. Humor is a strategy that I use that makes them feel comfortable. Even though I was hired to teach math at Choice Plus, there are so many skills that students need to learn before they can begin to engage in the curriculum. I think relationship building is at the top of that list. If I can positively model that, then I have done my job.
As you continue as an educator, what are your future goals as they relate to education?
A far as my future in education, I want to continue teaching mathematics with a goal of teaching at the college-level one day.
What advice would you give to those thinking about a career in education, and, more specifically, a career with JCPS?
A career in education can be deeply rewarding but also comes with significant challenges. Teaching requires a special type of person and not everyone is equipped to deal with what teachers experience on a daily basis. They need to be prepared to not always feel valued and respected, but to search for the joy in the little things like seeing when something clicks with a student or getting a smile out of the shy child. Teaching is not for the weak.