Permanently Primary: About Me

Have you ever loved something so much that you were eager to wake up every day and get right to it? That's the way I feel about education. From the curriculum, to the challenges, to the research, to best practice, to discovering new ways to reach a child, to seeing the students grow and develop...it's what it's all about! There is no other career I would ever choose. If I had to do it all over again, I'd still be a teacher.

My name is Sarah Kirby and I'm just the girl next door. I'm the one who wakes up, hurries to get ready, rushes out the door, drops off the kids, drives to school, impacts students' learning for 6 hours, stays after to get ready for the next day, picks up my boys, comes home and eats dinner, plays with the boys, works on lesson plans and new activities to use with my students, goes to bed, and does it all over again. And again. And again. Those who know me know I LIVE for this. I live for the world of education.

I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was in kindergarten. It never changed. After I graduated high school, I went to the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) and received my Bachelor of Arts in Education, focusing on elementary education. I stayed an extra year to receive my Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. Then I began working for a small, rural district in central Ohio. I have taught 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade. I am currently in 1st grade. Over the past year I completed coursework through Ashland University to receive my Reading Endorsement (K-12). Recently, I was awarded our district's Teacher of the Year! I feel very honored and humbled to receive such an amazing achievement. This summer I will be presenting at the I Teach 1st! National SDE Conference in Las Vegas, NV. I simply cannot wait!

I married my sweet husband in 2007. We welcomed our first son, Rowan, in 2011. In November of 2013, we welcomed our second son, Sawyer! All three men are the complete love of my life. Life is so much sweeter because of them! We love to take trips to the zoo, go to church, travel, play outside, go to the pool, and just love on each other. When time permits, I love to work out, study the Bible, paint my nails, decorate my home, and clean house (yes...it's true!).