Open-door policy: Popular English teacher keeps safe, inclusive classroom
Manteca High English teacher Sarah Haskett works from the podium at the front of her classroom. Haskett prides herself on keeping a safe, inclusive classroom for students. (Hanna Palacio/The Tower)
By SIMAR MANN
The Tower
Sarah Haskett, an English and Women’s Studies teacher at Manteca High, is known for her spunky and upbeat attitude in class.
Manteca High English teacher Sarah Haskett reads from the monitor at the front of her class. Haskett prides herself on keeping a safe, inclusive classroom for students. (Hanna Palacio/The Tower)
She is a proud advocate for women and gay rights and is quite the fitness junkie outside of school.
Most students who have had Haskett are embraced by the warm and accepting atmosphere in her class. She has always supported her students’ true personalities, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or race.
“That’s why I put up so many flags, so as soon as they walk through that door, they know this is a safe space for them,” Haskett said.
Haskett recounts her childhood experiences and early role models and how they motivated her to become the adored and quirky teacher we all know and love.
Over time, she has become a teacher many students can openly express themselves to, and many students who struggle outside of class enter Haskett’s classroom and are immediately welcomed by the warm atmosphere.
Elyce Smith, the school’s teacher librarian and Haskett’s longtime colleague in the English department, describes Haskett as a highly devoted and caring teacher. Smith applauds the dedication and meticulous detail that Haskett always puts into her classes.
They have been friends since Haskett first began teaching at Manteca High School, and Smith applauds Haskett’s teaching style.
“She has never slowed down and always prepares for her students and classes without fail,” Smith said.
But how does she always appear to be so positive?
Haskett relies on the lessons she learned over the course of her life and fitness activities, such as running and riding her Peloton to maintain a happy and healthy lifestyle.
“I usually workout before school, which helps me be ready to go and pumped up with energy,” Haskett said. “Honestly, I just love how fitness makes me feel.”
Haskett slowed down just enough for The Tower to ask her questions about her greatest influences and her fitness and wellness journey.
The Tower: How do you always stay so upbeat and positive while teaching? Do you find it difficult to keep a happy mindset?
SH: In the movies you always see a high school teacher taking someone under their wing and I never had that type of teacher growing up and overall, I felt very lost in high school. Everyone carries around their own struggle or burdens, so I hope the time in my classroom is not only educational but also the happy part of someone’s day.
TT: Growing up, who were your most influential role models and/or mentors?
SH: My mom. She was an English teacher and read to me every night and I think that’s where I started to enjoy reading and writing. However, my biggest mentor was my college professor, Dr. Timahoni, and he taught me that I could be the kind of teacher I sought to be rather than the teachers we see everywhere who only lecture and have people take notes. I didn’t want to have a very authoritative way of teaching. So, he was the first person who really made me feel comfortable, knowing that I could bring something to teaching without changing my personality.
TT: Did your parents leave you with a lot of important life lessons?
SH: The idea that you are your own competition. I remember my mom always used to tell me: “There’s someone better than you, and there’s someone worse than you.” I don’t know why but that always just stuck to me. I think it’s because I was constantly comparing myself to other people. A lot of kids come into my creative writing class, and they’ll go “Ugh, I’ll never be as good as that one kid.” And you know what, it’s true. You won’t ever be like them because you have your own style. You need to write more like you is what I find myself telling them. That’s the main ideology I try to develop in all my subjects and it’s that don’t try to be more like someone else, be more like you. Speak your mind more.
TT: You really seem to enjoy fitness and hiking, what got you into that?
SH: In high school, I did cross country and softball for a few years. That’s when I really began to love running, so I was mainly an avid runner, but I shifted away from that towards road biking as I grew older. Then that slowly drew me towards Peloton. Now Peloton is three-quarters of my personality. I usually workout before school which helps me be ready to go and pumped up with energy. Honestly, I just love how fitness makes me feel and I think that’s what helps me stay optimistic.
TT: Growing up, were you always taught to not discriminate against people, or did you later come to be very supportive of women and gay rights?
SH: My parents taught me tolerance. However, I became more of a feminist in college. During that time, I commuted from home to save money and so I started working at this law firm. At the firm, I witnessed so much discrimination and inequality, and I believe that’s where my interest in human rights began to peak. Then later I had several friends who came out as gay to me, so that’s when I began to be more supportive of gay rights. I see so many LBT students suffering with their identity, so I wanted this class to be a space where they could fully be themselves.