Alumni Spotlight: Sarah Rarick

In celebration of our 65th anniversary, we are highlighting Ohio University Lancaster alumni and students on our website and social media pages.

Sarah Rarick graduated from OHIO Lancaster’s early childhood education program in 2015. Rarick is now in her sixth year of teaching and currently teaches third grade for Lancaster City Schools.

Rarick said she had wonderful professors in the early childhood education program who were invested in her education. She appreciated that they work with her on areas of improvement and celebrate her successes.

“Ohio University Lancaster got me out in the field with teaching experiences sooner than other colleges were offering,” Rarick said. “The Lancaster campus had myself and my classmates in a classroom beginning my sophomore year. When it comes to teaching, experience is by far the best way to prepare.”

Why did you choose Ohio University Lancaster to pursue your degree?

I chose Ohio University Lancaster for a variety of reasons. Personally, I was helping care for a couple of my family members and Ohio University Lancaster was close enough in distance to them. The campus offered multiple of the same courses at different times which allowed me to plan my schooling around the times I needed to help my family.

Financially, I was a well rounded and balanced student, and through OHIO Lancaster and the Fairfield County Foundation, I was offered a full scholarship for three years. Understanding that I would get the same certification as any larger or private university and knowing that I wouldn't be in debt for the foreseeable future, it was the logical choice to pursue my degree at OHIO Lancaster.

Finally, I liked the idea of having smaller class sizes. I did not want to just be 1 out of 75 in a lecture hall. At OHIO Lancaster I was 1 of 25 in a class. I wanted to know that my professors were just as much invested in my education as I was invested with the mindset to be successful.

What made you decide you wanted to be an educator?

Honestly, I really wasn't sure I wanted to be an educator. However, I truly knew I wanted to be an educator during the first field experience I had at Como Elementary in Columbus. A fifth-grade class teacher got sick and had to leave for the day, so I was put in charge of a classroom (with other teacher/principal supervision). The students and I talked about what they wanted in a teacher then I taught the lessons that were left out. I loved it. From then on, I knew I wanted to teach.

Before that experience, I had other teaching opportunities. In the summer, I volunteered for the Lancaster Police Department's Safety Town program for upcoming Kindergarteners. I had volunteered since I was 11. Working through the ranks, I got to teach the main outdoor safety skills to the kids. I loved it. Now, I am a teacher for the program. During the summer, I also was a Girl Scout Day Camp Counselor. I worked with the high school students teaching them how to teach the younger girls different skills to work toward their badges. I loved that. Those experiences are what truly helped me decide to be an educator.

How did Ohio University Lancaster prepare you for your career?

Ohio University Lancaster got me out in the field with teaching experiences sooner than other colleges were offering. The program had myself and my classmates in a classroom beginning my sophomore year. When it comes to teaching, experience is by far the best way to prepare. Other colleges offered little to no field experience until junior or even senior year.

I had wonderful professors in the Early Childhood Education program who were invested in my education. They worked with me on areas of improvement and celebrated my successes. My professors would visit myself and my classmates in our field placements. They were dedicated, and ready to help support us when needed. I felt they did an excellent job preparing me for my career. 

What is your current role and where do you teach?

I teach third grade at Tarhe Trails in the Lancaster City Schools District. This is my sixth year teaching and my seventh year in the district. 

What do you enjoy most about teaching?

The "AHA" moment the kids get on their face when they have achieved something important to them! I love seeing the kids grow academically, socially, and emotionally. I also have a pretty amazing third grade teacher team. 

Do you have a favorite moment(s) or memory of your time on campus you can share with us?

During exams, one of the professors handed out the study guide for her test and then said "Do you think you need anything else to prepare you for this exam?". I said, "Some cookies would be great." She asked us what kind of cookies we wanted, and we proceeded to list out different cookies. On exam day, she had fresh baked homemade cookies of the different types we listed. She told us how she was delighted to make cookies for us since her own children were grown and moved away. It was such a simple and yet meaningful thing to do for our class, just done out of pure kindness.

What advice would you give to students pursuing their degree in early childhood and elementary education?

A career in education is incredibly rewarding. Teaching is never boring. It is a new adventure every day.

To learn more about the early childhood and elementary education program at OHIO Lancaster, please visit the program page.