Sarah Damato
Position: Special Education Teacher
School: Springfield High School
School District: Springfield School District
City, State: Springfield, PA
Support Sarah
Leave a comment
Music that Describes Sarah
Sarah Damato was nominated by her spouse, Tyler Damato.
"When I saw an opportunity for a teacher to be nominated for the award, Sarah was the first person that came to mind. To me, no one was more deserving and worthy of this award than Sarah. There are many reasons why I nominated Sarah for the award," said Tyler.
"When you think of an educator, you think of someone who is committed and brings happiness, laughter, discipline, mentorship, inclusivity, and most importantly, learning to the classroom. But it is unmatched when I think of Sarah and what she brings to a classroom, especially her classroom. Sarah has been a special education teacher for 11 years and at Springfield High School in Delaware County for six years. The amount of effort, love, and passion she gives to her students, as well as the countless one-on-ones and student TAs that help within her classroom every day, is unlike anything I've seen or heard of. From the countless community-based outings Sarah has taken her class on throughout her years of teaching at Springfield High School, the memorable and laughable teaching moments, and the highs and lows Sarah has endured, I know there was never a dull teaching moment. I've been fortunate enough to work with some of Sarah's students. Sarah started a non-profit called Support a Sport, which gives children with disabilities and of all ages the opportunity to participate in sports just as every other child could. At least half of her students have participated in this program. So, I know the smiles I see on the kids' faces and the effort they put into playing the sports they participate in are no different than in Sarah's high school classroom. By creating SAS, Sarah's outreach to students with special needs goes beyond the classroom and into the community," said Tyler.
"Sarah is the advisor for the Springfield Buddies Club, which brings general education students and students with special needs together to do things outside of school. Sarah organizes events and spends countless hours outside of school doing different things with her students so that they can enjoy high school with their peers. Sarah has over 200 students in this club who actively participate. Sarah is also the head coach for the Unified Bocce club. The team originally consisted of only students with disabilities and a few kids in the general education population. This year, the bocce team had 36 athletes participate. She already has a waiting list for next year," said Tyler.
Something else that goes hand-in-hand with Sarah's teaching abilities and may not always be noticed is her student-to-teacher relationships with her countless teacher assistants. Teacher assistants are general education students who can request to help in a teacher's classroom. This year alone, Sarah had 16 TAs. Because Sarah is that teacher, when there is an opportunity for a student to fill the need to be a TA in her class, the spots are only open for a short time. This also fits in with her being a coach at the HS in lacrosse and field hockey and the head unified bocce coach for the students in her classroom. You can define Sarah as what a teacher should be: someone who is caring, supportive, a hard worker, and, in another sense, a mother figure to the students within her classroom. I know Sarah's TAs look forward to coming into her class day in and day out and, at the same time, taking pride in helping to make a difference with her students and giving them the support necessary to succeed in a classroom and social setting. As well as to show everyone that her students are just like everyone else no matter their disability or what someone may look like," said Tyler.
"Something I say to Sarah regularly and hold to myself is that if you want to make a difference or if you want to see change, then you need to be that difference. Do what others can't or what others are unwilling to do. The amount of change Sarah has made throughout her classroom, around her school, and in the community is unlike anything I have heard of. When you see some of the most popular kids and athletes in school who TA in Sarah's class, interacting with and eating their lunches together with Sarah's students as if they've always been friends, all the while sitting amongst their peers, it speaks volumes to the changes and difference that Sarah has already made. And for these same students to treat their fellow peers who have a disability just as if they didn't have one and if they could do everything they can shows that the changes keep on coming. Ultimately, the differences Sarah has made for her students and her teaching assistants and to make something that was once considered weird, uncool, or different seem normal show everyone that their way of thinking towards people with special needs was wrong all along. And it demonstrates that anything is possible; all you have to do is put in a little effort and have a caring attitude towards the people around you who may not seem like everyone else," said Tyler.
"And finally, I know for a fact that Sarah is more than worthy of this award because of what she has accomplished and what she will continue to do within the walls of her classroom and around the high school in which she teaches and in her community. Sarah's attitude, love, and passion for her students will never change. I am truly honored to be able to give a little bit of insight into what type of teacher and, most importantly, person Sarah is and what her capabilities are within her profession. She will never stop trying to make a difference and always do what is in her students' best interest. She truly makes this world an inclusive environment for her students and the whole community," said Tyler.
Way to go Mrs. Damato one of the best teachers at Springfield High School. Well deserved!
Mrs. Damato works with students with severe disabilities. The most amazing thing about her is how she treats her students just like everyone else. She advocates for them and supports them in their own life. Sarah has 3 young daughters of her own and you can see how she is impacting their life in working with students with disabilities. Way to go Mrs. D!
Way to go Mrs. Damato! The community is behind you!
Mrs. Damato volunteers countless hours to her students and those with disabilities inside and out of school. She is a great role model for every student and Springfield High School. She is Swamy’s fighting for what she believes is right and is a huge advocate for her students.
I know people who move into this district so that their child can have Sarah as a teacher. Her reputation in the community is one that goes a long way. Sarah understands what it is like to have a family member with a disability. I know for our family her heart and honesty has been a saving grace. I hope she never leaves so our son can have her as a teacher!
Mrs. Damato has the best sense of humor, a kind heart, and is willing to work with any child. She is so down to earth and relatable. She never makes students feel unwanted and is always there to lend a helping hand.
Lucky to have such a bright light in our Springfield Community. Thanks for everything you do for SSD!
Seeing students work with Mrs. Damato is something that everyone needs to see. The way these kids learn with her as their teacher and the relationship that they have with her is one that most people can’t say they have. Sarah is one of the most hardworking individuals I know as she pours her heart and soul into her students and their success.
Go Mrs. Damato! We have been lucky to know and learn from you.
Damato is a wife, mother, sister, daughter, Coach, teacher and mentor. To know her is to love her! She has impacted so many students loves especially in Philadelphia it can’t go unnoticed. We were sad to see her go but we know how amazing she is doing at Springfield High School!! Bring a teacher in West Philly isn’t always easy but Sarah sure made it like it was. Her compassion toward every student and family didn’t go unnoticed. She was always trying to make herself better and always trying to educate everyone else about her students. I really hope she gets the grand prize because she really is the best.
I don’t think people understand the value of a teacher like Mrs. Damato is. She has personal experiences of working with kids and adults with disabilities. She loves what she does and it shows when she is working with others children. One of the things that stands out about Sarah is that she is honest. This is why parents trust her. I know she always says that she loves being a teacher and that administration is not her thing but any district would be so lucky to have her. She is easy to talk to and actually listens to parents concerns.
Sarah is humble and kind. She goes above and beyond for her students and continues to strive to improve not only her classroom but the people around her. She is invested in inclusion and educating those on inclusion.
Sarah is a pillar in the community. I have never met someone so passionate in what they do. Sarah true Ky cares for her students and the athletes she coaches. She is an amazing role model for not only the students but her own children.
A teacher who is a true hero to all students who get the opportunity to know her. She is funny, positive, kind, patient. She is an advocate for her students and also her sister who has intellectual disability. Sarah is always trying to make thing fun at school. She is always positive even when things aren’t going well. The best saying that I often here from her is “it’s all good”
Mrs. D without a doubt deserve this award. Talk about a teacher who cares about her students and their families.
I have never met someone who has volunteered and dedicated so much of their time the way Sarah does. Sarah started a nonprofit called Support a Sport so that her students and those around the county could play sports that they love in an inclusive environment. They way that Sarah not only influenced her students but her volunteers is remarkable. She could get 100 students to volunteer tomorrow if she asked them to. This is because they respect her, they value her, they learn from her and they know she cares about them.
Sarah is the best and deserves this recognition!
One of the things that makes Sarah so deserving of this award is that she not only impacts her students lives but the lives of her teacher assistants. At SHS students can ask to be a TA for a teachers class. They usually help with little things like making copies or cutting things out. In Sarah’s class if you are a TA you are advocating, learning about different disabilities, and assisting the students with severe needs. Sarah is teaching our youth that it is ok to be different. She is teaching them what some families/students go through. I know that she is changing those TAs lives and she does this to make the world a better place. Sarah deserves this award and we are grateful for her!
Sarah was an amazing colleague to work with. She is accepting of everyone she meets and is one of those people who gets along with everyone. We miss her so much in Philly and I know the school she is at loves her too. She is an educator that cares for her students and the people she works with. She is someone who demonstrates all the qualities of this award!
Sarah Damato deserves this award and I know the community would agree. What she has done for the special needs community is unbelievable. She is a mother, wife, teacher, coach, advocate and mentor to so many students of all ages. I know that parents are excited for their children to get to the high school to have her. For our son she has involved him in her nonprofit Support a Sport which her and her husband founded. He has made so much progress socially, and physically because of their organization. This is something they do on their free time and volunteer. They even have their young daughters involved volunteering which will only add value to their peers with special needs. They mentor so many students and are positive role models in the community.
When you have a child with disabilities you are scared to death on what their future will look like. When our son got Mrs. Damato as a teacher that eased our minds. She is so relatable and has been with us every step of the way. Even though she is at another school she still checks in on our son and family. Sarah has always done more than she needs to and is a wonderful teacher. She absolutely deserves this award!
The Support a Sport program and Sarah, who runs the program our changing lives one kid at a time . This program allows kids with physical and intellectual disabilities have access to sports programs that they otherwise wouldn’t. This Program is offered in such a way that The kids just get out on the field and have fun, most don’t realize that they are also building skills and lifelong friendships.
I can’t think of a more deserving person to receive the life-changing award.
The Support a Sport program Sarah founded is wonderful and our kids have enjoyed. One of the many things that impressed us was the amount of student volunteers who are clearly inspired by Sarah and are choosing to spend their free time having fun and playing with our son and other athletes with special needs. Well deserved nomination!
We are so grateful for all that Sarah does to provide accessible and inclusive recreation for children and adults with developmental disabilities. She sacrifices so much of her time to support our children!
The best around in so many ways. Being one of Sarah’s TA’s when I was at Springfield was one of the most fulfilling and rewarding experiences. Getting to know all the kids, making everlasting connections and just seeing their smiles everyday is what it’s all about and I wouldn’t be able to get that experience without Sarah! The world needs more people like her!
Sarah Damato is one of the biggest advocates for her students. I don’t know how she fits in everything she does every day while still making sure our kids have every opportunity available to them, amazing experiences in and out of school, and treating our kids as if they were one of her own with their needs always being put first. She is truly an amazing mom, coach, teacher, and advocate.
I have never seen someone so passionate about teaching life skills and students with severe disabilities than Sarah. She always says that she loves what’s she does and you can tell. She goes above and beyond for her students in and out of the classroom. She has student assistants who request to be in her classroom to help with her students. She has made an inclusive environment for the school and the community. Great job Sarah!
Great write up. You are all that and more. You should be very proud of yourself!
This is no surprise to me and well deserved!!! You are a gift to our community and I love you!xoxo
Sarah Damato rocks! She embodies everything you want in a special education teacher. I wish that her school could celebrate her like she deserves. We miss her at Mastery in Philly and appreciate everything she built and created for our school. Damato you are da best girl! Congrats and you deserve it!
Mrs. Damato cares for her students and for others around her. She works so hard to help her students understand the real world and prepare them for it. She also works with her teacher assistants in her room so they can learn about special education. She is the reason a lot of her TAs want to go into the field.
Mrs. Damato is the best and is kind and caring to everyone. when we worked in Philly together, everyone gravitated to Sarah. She is not just a great educator but a great colleague. She always knows what to say and wants people to be in education. She really cares for her students no matter who they are. She has taught me so much weather she knows it or not. I hope I can be half as good as she is as a teacher! Way to go mato!
Mrs. Damato volunteers her time all the time at her school, at other schools, and in the community. That is a person who is committed to making a difference. She is always working with kids and adults with disabilities and their families which is amazing in itself. If you could come and see her you would see how amazing she is.
Mrs. Damato has always been someone who started as a special education teacher for a reason which was her sister who has disabilities. She started her non profit because of her sister and because she wanted to give more people and families the opportunity to play sports. Mrs. Damato is very worthy of this award!
Mrs. Damato is always doing something positive in the community and at SHS. I met her through the nonprofit her and her husband started. She is so accepting and understanding of all people. I have two children with Autism and Mrs. Damato provided me with resources and answered a lot of questions I had. She is an unbelievable person and deserves this award. Even if she does not receive it we are lucky to know her. Thank you
Mrs. Damato is a leader and mentor to her students and the students that she doesn’t have. She embodies everything you want in a teacher and a person. The amount of positive stories that I continue to hear about Sarah is outstanding.
Sarah is so deserving of this award. She is a huge part of the community. She is a mentor and leader to not only her students but all of the athletes that she coaches. I don’t think people realize all that she does. She enjoys her job and her students! Thank you for all you do to make the world a better place.
Mrs. Damato shows people and especially kids how to accept everyone. She treats everyone the same and shows students that being different is ok. She always tells us that everyone has something going on that not everyone knows about. She is the best and deserves this award.
Mrs. Damato is so hard working and cares for all of her students that she teaches and works with. We were lucky to have Sarah as our child’s teacher.
Sarah is a kind and caring person that cares about everyone no matter who they are or what they bring to the table. She is so deserving of this award. She has always advocated for her students and their families.
Sarah is an unbelievable person. What she has don’t in just 6 years at SHS is remarkable. How she gets students to volunteer their time and follow her lead in different activities is amazing. She not only gets the students but she keeps them volunteering. They believe in her and her message. Most importantly they look up to her. I’m a grown adult and I look up to her! The world is a better place because of people like Sarah.
Mrs. Damato is the best teacher. Although she teaches the students with the most significant needs, she is someone that supports all students. I never had her but I was apart of the buddies club. She not only helped me when I need help in school but she really teaches you about life. She cares so much about her students and they love her too. I hope you choose Mrs Damato to win because she deserves everything!
Sarah puts her heart and soul into teaching. She is an amazing person. She has made Springfield high school and inclusive environment. Although she does not receive the recognition she deserves, the people in the Springfield community notice all that she does for our students. We are so proud of you. Thank you for everything you do!!
I have known Sarah since college. I remember when she got her first teaching job and was up for teacher of the year in VA. Sarah is hilarious and full of energy. She has a great sense of humor and is accepting of everyone. I knew her as Geary and she was always advocating for her students and trying to make a difference. She continues to make a difference in her community now and I love watching all that she does. Keep changing the world Geary!
Mrs. Damato was my sons teacher. She went above and beyond for him and our family. She truly cares about all of her students progress and how they are doing in and out of school. She is so worthy of this award. All of the time and effort she puts in and having a family of her own can’t be easy. We were so lucky and my son was so lucky to have her as a teacher. Thank you Mrs. D!
I am the parent of one of Sarah’s TAs, and I can not stress enough that this world needs WAY more Sarah’s in it!!! She has inspired my daughter to follow in her footsteps and study special education and provides as much time and support to her as she does her special needs students. The organization she founded is absolutely amazing. Support a Sport is an opportunity for all athletes to shine and the friendships that have been made between the athletes and volunteers make my heart so happy. I’ve said it before and I will say it again and again…Springfield School District and our entire community is better because we are blessed with the best, Sarah Damato.
Mr.s damato help me with working at school and math and reading. i like her a lot as my teacher. she takes us on a field trip and it is fun.
she helps me with my work. she is funny, nice to me, she give me hugs.
Mrs. Damato is kind. she helps me. She helps me learn. she makes me go to class on time. she lets me use the bathroom. She always helps me do my reading and writing. i like that she is my favorite teacher.
I love hanging out with my teacher Mrs. Damato. She is so funny and she's the best. She works with me one on one when I need help with my test. My favorite thing about Mrs. Damato is that she takes us on trips all over and we have fun.
ms. damato helps me with math. i like to write with her. She is a nice teacher. she lets me help her coach the field hockey team and i meet my friends there.
The love, care, and passion that Sarah puts into her teaching is remarkable. I admire her so much as a teacher and friend! She has made such a huge difference in our high school and in our community. She is so deserving of this award—she has had such a positive impact on the lives of so many!!
Sarah is the type of teacher who contacts the Philadelphia Mayors office to get the mayor to come to her classroom to read a story…. And he did. She is the teacher who gets the Philadelphia flyers to come to her classroom to read a book… and she did. She is the type of teacher who when students didn’t have enough money to celebrate thanksgiving, made her own thanksgiving feast for her students like they were her family members because she said they were. She is the type of teacher who made her mom and dad dress like Santa and Mrs. Claus and come to her classroom of students with autism and intellectual disabilities because she knows a lot of her student have a tough time taking a picture with Santa. She created a whole school fundraiser to celebrate autism awareness month when our community doesn’t know much about autism. She is an advocate for her students and really cares. I see people comment about missing her in Philadelphia and I am one of those teachers who do. Springfield is lucky to have her!
Sarah works with students with disabilities and has never made it seem like her job was hard or complained of the kids needs. That is the type of teacher you want teaching your children. Sarah treats all of her students with respect and compassion and care. I have never seen a teacher love their job like she does. We miss her here at Green Tree but know that she has made a lasting impact on our community and Philadelphia as a whole.
Mrs. Damato goes above in beyond in everything she does. She loves all of her students and truly loves what she does. I don’t think people realize what kind of person it takes to work with students with severe needs and disabilities. She is so patient and kind. She is always looking to make learning fun and engaging for her students. No matter where she goes she brings that same energy.
Sarah is the perfect candidate for this award! Not only is she a wonderful teacher, she is a wonderful spouse, mother, volunteer, coach and friend. Sarah stops at nothing and will spread her own personal time thin if it means helping her community. I often wonder where she finds the time to do so much. The impact she is making on children (and adults) of all ages and from all walks of life is admirable!
Sarah has dedicated her life to supporting kids, whether it’s in the classroom or on the field. She’s an inspiration and a great role model to many! Her volunteer work towards creating a community for inclusion through Buddies Club and her “Support a Sport” organization has opened up opportunities for students to dream big and get involved with extracurricular activities, meet friends, and create impactful childhood memories. Go, Sarah, Go! She’s just getting started.
Sarah is inspiring as a teacher and as a friend! She is an incredible part of her community and touches lives wherever she goes. Her students, family, and friends are lucky to have her.
Kind, support a sport, she makes me happy, she works hard
Ms.Damato is the best coach and teacher and she is my favorite person and teacher. She makes me do my best and she is the best coach and teacher I miss her so much go Ms damato go!
Sarah is the best!! She is so inspiring and truly embodies what it means to be inclusive. She is an amazing role model for all of her students.
The best so supportive and kind
I work at the Springfield High School as Sarah's Learning Assistant. Sarah is caring, patient, empathic and giving. I also work with Sarah in the Buddies Club and Bocce Club. She has grown these clubs into something special needs and general ed students want to be a part of. I have helped with the Support a Sport non profit she started and it is wonderful to see these kids enjoying the different sports they are taught and the time spent with the general ed students. Sarah is a wonderful person who makes everyone feel special and loved.
I have learned so many things from Sarah in the last three years and I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to get to know her and her family.
Mrs. Damato is my teacher. She is so cool and funny. She plans great trips. She makes me do my work.
Mrs. Damato was my daughters teacher in Philadelphia. She was always cheerful and cared for my daughter. She knows how to treat children with disabilities. She will always be our favorite teacher. Come back to Philly!
My son had Sarah years ago. He was in kindergarten and I was so nervous about him being accepted and understood. Sarah was so kind, understanding and loving. She was honest with me and really helped us work with our son at home. She is the most amazing teacher and even better person.
