Congratulations to Sara Wyffels, a Spanish language educator from Chandler, Arizona, who has been named her state’s 2021 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: AZ Big Media.

Congratulations to Sara Wyffels, a Spanish language educator from Chandler, Arizona, who has been named her state’s 2021 Teacher of the Year.

Sara was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest in Kent, Washington. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington, in 2002. Her studies there included a study abroad experience in Segovia, Spain. She earned her Master’s degree in Teaching from the University of Portland in 2004. In addition, she is a Nationally Board Certified Teacher. Her career as an educator has spanned 14 years.

Once she earned her degrees, Sara inaugurated her career as an educator at a middle school Spanish in West Linn, Oregon for two years before relocating to Arizona. Currently, Sara teaches high school Spanish Language Arts through the Chandler Online Academy associated with Chandler High School. The courses she teaches include Honors Spanish 3, International Baccalaureate Advanced Placement, and Spanish 4.

Sara says she doesn’t consider herself to be the person in the classroom who owns the knowledge. “I prefer to be into the curiosity with the students and to grow with them and to discover together, that it’s not just coming straight from me, but that collectively we’re building knowledge and learning skills together,” the honored educator explained.

In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Sara serves her school as the advisor for the Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica and the Gender Alliance Club. She is also the Chair for her school’s World Language Department.

Sara says she became a teacher to make a difference. “I choose to teach and I choose to remain a teacher. Being a teacher is one of the most fulfilling careers an individual can have because you’re changing lives,” asserts Sara. “As a Spanish  teacher, I see firsthand how the power of language  inspires human connection. Teaching language isn’t just about learning new vocabulary; it’s opening the eyes of my students to a world beyond themselves and teaching them how to be global citizens,” she concluded.

To read more about this exemplary educator, see this story about her published online by azcentral.com.