TESTIMONIALS

“Sarah Cole is one of the most impactful educators I have worked with in my almost thirty years of working in schools. She thinks like a revolutionary - asking why systems are the way that they are and who those systems are working in favor of. She thinks like an administrator - asking what resources does our community have in order to build a more equitable and positive community. She thinks like a teacher in helping to create powerful systems, structures, and learning experiences that will help to build that community. But, most importantly, she thinks like a young person who may have experienced trauma and inequity in their life experiences and who needs to have the space to step into their power and the people to believe in them. What makes Sarah exceptional is that she sees communities from all of these perspectives: weaving together experiences for all stakeholders to get buy-in and experiences to push the culture forward together.”

OUR IMPACT

“Sarah’s deep knowledge of literacy curriculum and expeditionary learning is rivaled only by her unfailing commitment to centering students in the work. As an instructional leader, she led the ELA department to implement learning expeditions aligned with both our literacy curriculum and school mission - an impressive feat on its own. But beyond the what, it’s the how of the way Sarah works that is truly transformational: every move she makes as a leader and coach keeps students at the forefront so that instruction and curriculum truly serve students.”
“Sarah excels at engaging families in the educational journey, fostering a strong sense of community. Her meticulous organization of expeditions [long-term projects] and celebrations of learning consistently creates opportunities for families to actively participate and contribute. Through her efforts, Sarah ensures that families are not just spectators but integral partners in the impactful learning experiences of their children.”
“I’ve worked with Sarah over the past 3 years on advocating to make DC schools more equitable and just for students and teachers. Working with Sarah is a masterclass in understanding how history and current systems all work together in our schools. She has a unique ability in holding difficult truths and keeping an abundance mindset with justice, grace and love directing how she leads. The result being an environment where those around her feel seen and uplifted in doing difficult change-making work.”
“Sarah’s coaching style is incredibly effective, always focusing on being constructive rather than punitive. Her guidance is timely and well-organized, consistently tailored to leverage each teacher’s strengths while equipping them with the necessary tools to overcome challenges. Sarah’s exceptional leadership and coaching skills have not only enhanced our educational environment but also inspired a sense of empowerment and growth among the staff. She is truly a phenomenal leader and coach.”
“Bottom line is Sarah leads with her values no matter what - she does not compromise integrity, equity, justice, or love. This kind of leadership is both inspiring and stabilizing.”
“Sarah and I worked closely on a team to help lead our school in moving towards a more restorative approach to discipline and building culture. It quickly became apparent that Sarah's goal was larger than just creating a more just school community. She saw this work as critical to create a more just and equitable world. Sarah led the team in taking inventory of what some teachers were already doing individually and collected them in our own ‘best practices’ playbook to help spread some of these practices. And, she led us in creating highly detailed yet flexible lesson plans for teachers to utilize in making these shifts possible.”
“Sarah's work surrounding restorative and transformative justice has been both visionary and impactful, creating meaningful change within the Social Justice School community. Her commitment to an abolitionist approach to Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) challenges conventional no excuses methods, promoting inclusivity and equity. Her passion and dedication helped us to launch our first ever Celebration of Learning & Social Justice centered learning expeditions.”
“Sarah was an asset to our young school as we grappled with what restorative justice practices should and could look like, especially as they pertained to holding students accountable for harm caused. Sarah was proactive, thoughtful, and intentional as she facilitated transformative conversations among students, staff, and families. Sarah was particularly impressive in her design and implementation of assignments that called on students to truly learn from their mistakes and transform the harm caused into an opportunity for personal and relational growth. Sarah’s generosity in modeling important practices, in sharing her own liberatory ideology, and in gently pushing mindsets, leaves a lasting impact as we move toward a school culture truly rooted in social justice.”
“Sarah Cole’s dedication and expertise were invaluable as we navigated complex topics, such as plastic pollution and gun violence. Sarah's efforts in connecting us with organizations, like the TRIGGER Project and the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, have been transformative. Her ability to foster these important partnerships allowed us to engage in meaningful learning and design effective strategies to address gun violence in DC. Sarah's guidance and commitment have made a profound difference in our educational journey, and I am deeply appreciative of her support.”
“Sarah’s dedication to fostering a positive and enriching environment has transformed my experience as a teacher, making it not only manageable but deeply enjoyable. Her ability to ground and inspire me has been instrumental in my growth as an educator and leader. Her genuine care and exceptional leadership have nurtured my development and encouraged me to excel. She is a remarkable individual whose unique qualities and contributions cannot be replicated.”
“Sarah’s approach to school culture merges an unapologetic centralization of the whole person with culturally-affirming mindsets, actions, and evaluation. As a long-standing educational leader, Sarah embodies directive, supportive, coaching, and delegative modalities of leadership in an era that calls to action a need for liberatory reform in schools across a diverse platform of educational landscapes. Above everything, Sarah’s character continues to inspire students, families, staff, and community partners to continuously learn and grow. As a principal, I hold the highest regard for Sarah and her approach to school culture - and would not be the school leader I am today without her.”