Sarah Irby
Position: Fourth Grade Teacher
School: Harvest Elementary School
School District: Delano Union School District
City, State: Delano, CA
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Music that Describes Sarah
Sarah Irby was nominated by her colleague, Bob Williams.
Mrs. Irby made sure her fourth graders continued to learn when her school closed in March. She continued to use Google Classroom to provide instruction and assign projects for her students to complete. Her students were able to complete California Mission projects over Google Classroom, as well. Mrs. Irby communicated daily with parents and students, and she provided them with easy, accessible links to resources. She made sure students understood the assignments and were able to complete the work with little difficulty. She even took the time to film YouTube lessons so the students could see the lesson multiple times. Mrs. Irby was also a champion when it came to parent contact. If a student did not attend a ZOOM meeting, Mrs. Irby was on her cell phone to make sure that student attended next time. Remote learning made it possible for the fourth graders in Mrs. Irby's classroom to continue to get an education and be ready for fifth grade.
Sarah is extremely innovative and exceptionally tech savvy. She assists colleagues in learning technology, so they too can be effective for their students as well. She has worn multiple hats as an educator. She has been grade level chair, ASB advisor, and has supervised beginning teachers new to the district. She is always one of the top requested 4th grade teachers in her school. I have met parents outside of the school who have told me that their students go to Harvest, and they can’t wait for their children to be in her class. She always has her teacher hat on. Often she is planning lessons in the middle of the night. During distance learning she even held small group reading instruction with only TWO students. That is above and beyond what was required, but that statement is the epitome of who Sarah is.
I have had the pleasure to work with Sarah for about 4 years now. I have gotten to know her as a teacher and friend. I was lucky enough to be there when she was recognized as Teacher of the year for all she has done in her profession.
Sarah is not just an educator but a leader in the school she works at. She takes on so many roles, such as, Grade Level Chair, ASB Adviser, BTSA mentor to new teachers, unofficially she has become Harvest Elementary song writer and rapper for our many school events, creates, presents and runs rallies for school activities amongst other amazing contributions. Furthermore, matter how busy her personal life may get, or if she gets ill she shows up to work not only because of the many responsibilities she has but for her students.
As a teacher, Sarah makes a daily impact on her students not only academically but emotionally. It amazes me how involved she gets with her students every year and how her focus is their academic growth, but also their emotional state! She truly invests in her students by making sure they not only come to school, but to a fun, safe and caring environment where they can be themselves, learn, laugh, he silly and know that they have someone they can trust and know Ms. Irby will be there for whatever need they may have.
Her students are encouraged by her to push one another and learn how to give constructive criticism, and they understand that in her classroom they are a family.
Sarah goes out of her way to provide her students with school materials, personal items, and gifts for rewards and encouragement. All this comes out of her own pocket. I see how every year she spends her own money to make sure her students have all they need to be successful.
I have seen Sarah show up to work before anyone is on campus and stay past working hours to make sure her students have the best instruction she can give. She incorporates group, individual, and whole class assignments that require her students to explore and cognitively push themselves to solve problems and write expository and persuasive papers to explain their reasoning for their work.
Sarah definitely touches her students lives in meaningful ways. I have witnessed parents thank and appreciate all she does for their children. I have also witness students go on to middle school, high school and still return to visit her and thank her for being the amazing teacher that they remember propelled them to be the best they could be.
Sarah Irby deserves to be recognized for all her incredible work as an educator.
Sarah is a phenomenal educator! She is a blessing to all and works tirelessly to ensure that all students have what they need. The students are beyond blessed to have her as their champion.
Growing up I was blessed to have a majority of awesome teachers, especially in my elementary school days.
Sarah reminds me of those teachers in her demeanor, personality, and her teaching characteristics that I’ve observed. I am so glad that someone else noticed her excellence and gave honor where honor is assuredly due. She is also an “excellent” mom and does considerably well with her son, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if we call him “Mr President” one day.
Go Sarah you deserve all you receive and then some. God has truly smiled on you.
Sarah has always strived to keep her students engaged. I have visited her class and the sense of community is undeniable. She challenges them for sure but she is there to support them every step of the way!
Sarah is a God fearing woman. She's a devoted mother and a compassionate person.
Sarah is one of the best teachers I know...love her!!
Sarah is one of the best teachers I know...love her!!
Mrs. Irby it’s a great teacher she teach my son To accomplish His goal on reading On this difficult time that the campus is closed she made a way to keep on teaching my son and to do small groups I am glad that my son had her because she’s a really good teacher she focus on the kids to do good in school I’m so glad that she helped my son to achieve his goal on reading to accomplish two more levels on reading I’m so glad that she helped him so much that she put effort to help my son on reading She’s a really great teacher nice teacher thank God that they put her on my son’s way to help him learn she even signed him up for summer school without me telling her and that was awesome because she thought about my son annoying that it’s summer school she still is helping my son and I appreciate her for all the help that she’s giving my son I think her for all the help because she’s preparing myself for fifth grade
Thank you Mrs Irby ????????
Sarah is a very kind and caring person. She is always very supportive and a listening ear whenever someone needs her. Her bubbly personality always uplifts the people around her. She is an amazing mom , always encouraging her son to d the right thing by being polite, respectful, and a young man.
Sarah is simply amazing! Her positive energy and encouraging words make her a joy to be around. She is a wonderful mom, dedicated teacher and a blessing to have as a friend.
Ms. Irby is kind and caring she's friendly and care's about her students.
Out of all my family members that I've had any real contact with do you have the biggest heart
And I know you do what you do because you love it and you're called to it
Way to go Sarah D
Sarah Irby is one of the sweetest kindest, human being I know. She has been passionate with not only working with kids but within her church and family as well. She has supported me and advised me to seek out my own dreams and encouraged me to become a flight attendant and see the world. She makes herself avalible as an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on. Even a house to sleep in. My life is better because she is in it. Shining her light and wisdom on me daily. She deserves this and so much more....
Ms. Irby is an excellent teacher and perfectly embodies the spirit of the LifeChanger of the Year award through her work and involvement within the school system, inspiring and supporting her colleagues and students. As an example, she supported her peers by putting together teacher appreciation gift bags, hosted student rallies, and promoted the school spirit at Harvest by bringing a costumed mascot to the school, with other schools within the district soon following suit. She mentors and inspires new teachers through the Teacher Induction Program and serves on the curriculum facilitator team, which helps not only Harvest but students throughout the district.
Ms. Irby goes above and beyond regular teaching activities and collaborative support to her colleagues, actively educating and mentoring students within her classroom and in the school. From the time she first began teaching in the inner city, Ms. Irby provided hygiene backpacks to students who needed them; and during prep time, educated those students on proper use of kits to practice self-care. Ms. Irby also co-coached a cheer squad and hosted sister circles on Saturdays with a focus on positive self-image and self-care. Just this year, she helped one of her most struggling readers rise two grade levels.
Ms. Irby is a perfect example of an exceptional teacher. Her willingness to go beyond with her students. Making sure they understood the work at hand and going the extra mile making her own videos explaining each problem. Ms.Irby also had her students make a mission where each student was super excited to share with their fellow students. Heather was always looking forward to Ms. Irbys Zoom meetings. Lastly Ms. Irby's made it her mission to get her students ready for 5th grade.
This year Ms. Irby has supported her students in a number of ways. At the beginning of the school year, she remixed Will Smith's classic song "Welcome to Miami" and wrote a custom Welcome Back to School song for her school. When the ASB students she advises had their morning meeting time taken away, which drastically impacted their time to address the student body, she started a school newscast. In addition, when a student at her school got injured, she along with her ASB students decided to have a Kind Coins for Kids Fundraiser to start a fund that the students could use to support one another in times of need or catastrophe. These are just a few things she did this year. She always goes above and beyond not just for her students, but for all the students at Harvest.
Sarah is extremely innovative and exceptionally tech savvy. She assists colleagues in learning technology, so they too can be effective for their students as well. She has worn multiple hats as an educator. She has been grade level chair, ASB advisor, and has supervised beginning teachers new to the district. She is always one of the top requested 4th grade teachers in her school. I have met parents outside of the school who have told me that their students go to Harvest, and they can’t wait for their children to be in her class. She always has her teacher hat on. Often she is planning lessons in the middle of the night. During distance learning she even held small group reading instruction with only TWO students. That is above and beyond what was required, but that statement is the epitome of who Sarah is.
