MA: German 1991, Arizona State Univerity Tempe, AZ.

Certifications: Arizona Secondary and Community College

Classes taught at Hamiltion H.S.: --German 1 --French 1 --German 2 --German 3-4 --AP German

Total Years Teaching Experience: WIth CUSD since 1996

Years at Hamilton: Since its inception

About Me and My Philosopohy: I've been married since 1987 and I am now old enough to be my students' mother! People ask me if I have chidren and I always respond that I have 150 kids.

My son, Hylan, was born in April of 2004. Through him I have gained profound respect for the parents' challenge today.This respect is further deepened as I get to know those young men and women who come into my classroom each day. I thank my students for teaching me; I have learned more about myself and living life by observing my students. They inspire me and I can only humbly hope to inspire them.

I entered the teaching profession relatively late compared to many teachers. I chose to first complete my Master's Degree in German Language and Culture which I received with honors from ASU in 1991.

I taught German for the first time as a graduate assistant at ASU. After completing my Master's, I remained an additional year at ASU to teach as a faculty associate. It was during this time I discovered my love for teaching.

I moved on to teach German at Mesa Community College for several years parttime where my classroom experiences reinforced this passion. I realized I wanted to teach German and French, my second love, fulltime.

In 1994, I was awarded the grant of my dreams; A full scholarship from the Austrian Ministry of Education to pursue my research at Karl-Franzens Universitaet in Graz. And so, my husband, Mark, and I liquidated our household (with the exception of our 2 cats) and moved to Graz, Austria prepared to stay for an indefinite period of time and willing to embrace the unknown.

Needless to say, Our time in Austria was a rewarding and invaluable experience beyond compare. For both of us, it was, at times, extremely trying and challenging. Certain adjustments in living style proved more difficult at the age of 31 than they were at 21 as an exchange student residing in Regensburg, Germany.

Mark, first time in Europe with no previous knowledge of German, proved to be a catalyst for drawing unique individuals and enriching encounters to us while abroad. Given his gregarious, fearless, and adventurous spirit, I found myself placed in an interpretatory role in numerous colorful, unusual, and at times frightening situations that stretched and tested my language skills to the maximum. I am indebted to him for helping me to broaden my linguistic-communicative realm beyond typical. I am grateful to him further for poviding countless cultural insights, and for expanding the breadth of my experience in the "Germanic realm" through our numerous adventures I would not have otherwise experienced.

Mark ultimately left for Uganda to climb Mt. Kenya. He returned to Austria over 3 months later. During that time, I remained in Graz to focus on my research dealing with the Austrian identity and attended university classes on their methods of teaching German to foreigners. We returned to the States over a year later.

After our return, I dedicated myself to obtaining teaching credentials that I received from Ottowa University. The rest is history as I joined Chandler Unified shortly therafter!

Teaching young people is one of the most rewarding, equally challenging experiences of my life. I wonder sometimes whether I can possibly rise to the level required to successfully address those challenges. For me there has been nothing more difficult nor fulfilling than teaching; nothing more discouraging, exhilirating, exhausting, nor inspiring.

My purpose, my personal aspiration,lofty it may be, is to help a young person realize his or her potential and personal significance in this world.

I thank you for the opportunity to teach your son and daughter. It is my honor.I can only hope to be worthy of this awesome responsibility entrusted in me; I will strive everday to provide my students, your children, with the best possible instruction, compassion, care and concern I possess within me; they deserve no less.

P.S. Yes, I do have a life! I am a weight trainer and a fitness enthusiast. I was once a gymnast and am enjoying rediscovering that side of myself.

Warm Regards, Sally S.P.