November 3, 2025

Montclair Life: Sara Flores’ Path to Teaching and Leading Through Language

A Linguistics major finds purpose at Montclair State University, growing through honors classes, campus leadership and hands-on experience teaching ESL

Posted in: Admissions, Homepage News, Humanities and Social Sciences, Martinson Honors EDGE, Montclair Life

Sara Flores sitting on campus with her laptop open. — Sara Flores’ dedication to public service and language education exemplifies Montclair students who believe in a better world, and use their education to make it happen.

Through this photo essay, part of an ongoing series, we highlight how Montclair students, faculty and staff embody the University’s mission in the classroom, on campus and beyond – empowering a diverse community by providing broad access to rigorous learning, advancing research and creativity, and forming partnerships for the common good.

Photography by University Photographer Mike Peters

Sara Flores sits at her desk during a Zoom meeting on her laptop. Her reflection appears in a small mirror beside her. — Mondays are especially packed for Sara, beginning in her dorm room with an 8 a.m. Zoom meeting for the John Martinson Honors EDGE Program.

As she begins another week at Montclair State University, Sara Flores is already moving with purpose. A Linguistics major and honors student, she starts her busy Monday with an early-morning Zoom alongside campus leaders. By evening, she’s in Paterson, helping adult ESL learners at Eastside High School as part of the University’s One-Square Mile initiative.

Flores reflects on her journey – balancing classes, service and her passion to empower those who are often overlooked.

Pursuing Excellence, Honoring Family

A student naps on a classroom desk while Sara Flores sits nearby, checking emails on her laptop. — A classmate squeezes in a few extra minutes of sleep before class, while Sara catches up on emails. Despite being in her second year at Montclair, Sara’s college-level work in high school means she’s already classified as a junior.

As first gen, I want to make it worth my parents’ money, time and sacrifices – and for myself too. Education is a privilege; you have to take the opportunities in front of you because this environment doesn’t exist elsewhere.”

Associate Professor Lauren Covey stands at a whiteboard while teaching an Introduction to Cognitive Science class. — Her schedule includes Introduction to Cognitive Science with Associate Professor Lauren Covey, an opportunity to better understand how the mind works.

Campus Life: Finding Balance

Sara Flores sits under a campus tree, working on her laptop. — Sara manages her busy Mondays by using moments of downtime to relax – especially outdoors on campus when the weather is nice.

Sara Flores holds an iced coffee and a bag with a croissant sandwich at a Dunkin location on the Montclair campus. — Lunch on the go: Sara runs on Dunkin’, grabbing an iced coffee and croissant sandwich between commitments.

Sara Flores walks down a staircase at Dinallo Heights, a residence hall at Montclair State University. — After a stop at her room in Dinallo Heights, she’s off again for another campus event.

Connecting with Martinson Honors EDGE

Sara Flores holds an Honors EDGE T-shirt. — Sara sets up for a student event with Montclair’s John Martinson Honors EDGE Program. Thanks to a $5 million gift from philanthropist John Martinson, honors students now benefit from expanded academic, creative and leadership opportunities as well as $5,000 Creative Learning stipends for study abroad, internships and research.

The classes in Honors encourage you to rethink your beliefs and the way things are structured, and then apply that to your field.”

Sara Flores talks with a group of students sitting on blankets on campus. — Sara chats with other Honors students during Field Day.

As an officer, I’m always thinking about making events inclusive – considering commuters, timing and exam weeks. We work hard to make sure students feel supported.”

Experiential Learning in Linguistics

Sara Flores sits on a blanket outside, chatting with other students in a small group. — Beyond Honors, Sara holds a paid internship in the Linguistics lab. Her work involves annotating speech – tracking starts, stops and word emphasis.

Sara climbs the steps to enter Eastside High School in Paterson, where she teaches English classes for adults. — Sara arrives at Eastside High School in Paterson, where funding from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and Paterson Public Schools support a full-service community school, including English classes for adults.

Unlocking Possibilities Through Language

Sara Flores sits facing two adults in a classroom at Eastside High School, assisting them with English as part of the community-focused language program. — The language classes at Eastside – center of the One Square Mile initiative – help adults unlock new possibilities. Sara works with beginners on introducing themselves and sharing their origins, encouraging real-life questions and translation support.

Working with adult ESL learners in Paterson has shown me how many people in my community have had opportunities kept from them for so long. I want to help others continue their dreams, in whatever way I can.”

Sara Flores sits in the center between two students, pointing at a laptop screen while explaining how to find training opportunities and record volunteer hours. — Sara shows fellow Bonner volunteers how to search for training opportunities and track their volunteer hours.

Language, Identity, Mutual Learning

Sara Flores gestures with her hands while seated at a table. — Sara grew up speaking Spanish at home but only learned to read the language at age 13.

Learning Spanish has been an adjustment for me. I still sometimes use informal words or slang. When I tutor, I warn students about my Spanish and ask them to correct me. In the same way they’re learning English, I’m learning – and improving – my Spanish. It’s a good relationship because we both learn.”

As told to Marilyn Joyce Lehren

View more photos for a complete look at Sara’s day as a student, campus leader and ESL teacher.

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