Sarah Volk

Fargo, ND | 7-12, Mathematics, 2023

What motivates you to contribute to excellence in STEM teaching?

My motivation to contribute to excellence in STEM teaching is rooted in student success. I strive to equip all students with a strong mathematical foundation that will support their future goals. I aim to foster grit, independence, and collaborative problem-solving skills in every learner. To support this vision, I actively participate in professional learning and serve the broader mathematics community. I hope my contributions inspire others and help broaden my impact.

What has been the most transformative moment that affirmed your impact on STEM education?

The most transformative moments that have affirmed my impact on STEM education have come through fellow educators reaching out to collaborate. These moments have included sharing ideas, observing and reflecting on instruction, and participating in joint projects. I strive to be a resource for others as much as I seek to learn from them. While I anticipate taking on different levels of impact throughout my career, I value most the connections I build with colleagues. I am grateful to be an educator others want to co-labor with.

Biography

Sarah Volk has taught high school mathematics for the last 15 years at Fargo North High School. She spent the previous five years of her 20-year teaching career at Oak Grove Lutheran School. Sarah currently teaches Advanced Placement Calculus AB and BC and Algebra 1 to students in grades 9-12. During her career, Sarah has taught most high school course offerings as well as some middle school mathematics courses. Sarah is passionate about contributing to the mathematics education community at the local, state, and national level. She has hosted student teachers and mentored new teachers. Sarah has led and organized professional development in her school district and planned conferences for K-12 mathematics educators across the state of North Dakota. Sarah serves on the board of the North Dakota Council of Teachers of Mathematics, most recently as president. She has presented at state and national professional conferences on the topic of flipped classroom and is a reader for AP calculus exams. Sarah believes that good ideas should be shared and that we all do better when we all do better. Sarah’s core belief is that all students can learn mathematics. Her goal with students is to help them build capacity within themselves to be mathematicians and have the confidence to reach their goals after high school. She is dedicated to a growth mindset in her teaching and models this philosophy for her students. Sarah is a National Board Certified Teacher. She earned her B.A. in secondary mathematics education from Concordia College and her M.A.T. in mathematics from Minot State University. Sarah is certified to teach secondary mathematics grades 7-12.

High-resolution version of the teacher profile photograph

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