After Brown County Junior High School science teacher Erich Nolan left the district midway through last semester, the junior high began a lengthy search to find his replacement.
On Dec. 19, the Brown County Schools Board of Trustees unanimously approved Sarah Hale to fill his spot. Jane Davis, a long-term substitute, had been covering classes in Nolan’s absence.
“Mr. Nolan’s departure was sort of unexpected, and that left us with a real dilemma,” BCJHS Principal Brian Garman said at the Dec. 19 meeting.
“We searched and we found Sarah. We’re super, super happy about that.”
Hale is from the Martinsville area. Superintendent Laura Hammack also interviewed her and said she was “very impressed” with her.
“She has an amazing background. She’s done quite a lot of work,” Garman said.
“I spoke to three different supervisors in Whiteland and they speak very, very highly. We’re just really happy to have her and feel fortunate to find somebody who is going to be a great science teacher for us.”
The Democrat sent a Q&A to Hale to introduce herself to the community.
Q: Where are you from, originally?
A: I grew up in Greenwood and attended Center Grove Schools, Class of 1997.
Q: Where did you work before coming here?
A: The same week I began my teaching program, I was hired as an instructional assistant at Clark Elementary within the Clark-Pleasant School District in Whiteland. After a couple of months, I was asked to cover a maternity leave in earth science at the high school. Following that, I covered the maternity leave for their chemistry and ICP teacher while simultaneously student-teaching, then finished up in earth science.
Q: What made you decide to be a teacher?
A: Growing up, I was painfully shy and uncomfortable speaking in front of people. While at Indiana University, I wanted to be a teacher, but the thought of student-teaching scared me. After receiving my undergraduate degree in anthropology, I got a job in Maryland as a counselor at an outdoor therapeutic camp for troubled boys aged 12 to 18. These kiddos were sent here by judges as a last chance before a juvenile detention center. The program was based on building and repairing relationships, discussing our feelings and working together as a group. We built our own tents from trees we cut down, chopped our own firewood and cooked our own food — even in the snow! This was the most difficult yet rewarding experience, and it taught me that life is too short to let our fears hold us back.
Q: What are you most looking forward to this year?
A: Having my own classroom! This past year I have bounced around from classroom to classroom and tried to learn over 800 names. I am excited for the opportunity to put down roots and grow lasting relationships with the students, parents, teachers and community members of Brown County.
Q: What is one thing you want your students to know about you?
A: I have a sense of humor and I plan to use it.
