Emerson High School is welcoming a new face to the math department this year, Sarah Minjarez, who’s bringing fresh energy and a passion for geometry to the classroom. With her bright enthusiasm, she’s already transforming equations into experiences and shapes into stories that stick.
Inspiration often sprouts from those who touch the lives of others in meaningful ways. This is true for Minjarez, who is passionate about making a difference in the lives of students at Emerson. She reflected on her experiences with her previous teachers and how she was galvanized by them in her professional life of teaching for three years.
“I was inspired to be a teacher by one of my dance teachers in high school,” Minjarez said. “She was a great influence on me and it got me excited knowing that I could be a great influence on someone else too.”
Emerson High School is widely known for its project-based learning system, which uniquely distinguishes it from other schools in the Frisco Independent School District. This structure was enticing for Minjarez during her search for a teaching position.
Minjarez said, “I thought that the project system was different, and I was really interested in how that worked. I know in math it’s not really geared towards project-based learning, but it’s been very interesting to try to figure out how to incorporate everything.”
Although she is a new teacher, students at Emerson have been extremely appreciative of Minajrez’s positive manner and thorough teaching style. She has helped students become familiar with geometry concepts and grow successful in her class.
“She seemed like she was very confident in what she was talking about so it made me more confident going into the year,” student Levia Pininti, 9, said.
Student Aditi Jayaprakash, 9, said, “She makes geometry make sense, and she explains it in a way we can understand. She doesn’t rush through everything.”
Students tend to have different relationships with math. Some find it fascinating while others find it more challenging. For educators like Minjarez, the challenge of teaching math is what makes it rewarding, as the students get to see it in a new light.
“The part that I love about it is that I like to help students discover that sometimes geometry isn’t as hard as it seems, even though it is one of the harder math subjects,” Minjarez said.
In addition to her instructive teaching style, Minjarez is also known for making students feel reassured while learning in her class, which maintains communication between them. This also ensures that students feel understood and comfortable while asking questions.
“At first I was nervous because she was a new teacher and no one knew a lot about her, but she welcomed us with open hands so it made us all feel very comfortable in the safe environment,” Jayaprakash said. “She is great at her job.”
As Minjarez kicks off her teaching journey at Emerson High School, she aims to make an impact on the future generation and help students understand the importance of math in their lives.
