{"id":226896,"date":"2025-11-03T09:19:04","date_gmt":"2025-11-03T14:19:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=226896"},"modified":"2025-11-03T09:36:12","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T14:36:12","slug":"montclair-life-sara-flores-path-to-teaching-and-leading-through-language","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2025\/11\/03\/montclair-life-sara-flores-path-to-teaching-and-leading-through-language\/","title":{"rendered":"Montclair Life: Sara Flores\u2019 Path to Teaching and Leading Through Language"},"content":{"rendered":"

Through this photo essay, part of an ongoing series<\/a>, we highlight how Montclair students, faculty and staff embody the University\u2019s mission<\/a> in the classroom, on campus and beyond \u2013 <\/span>empowering a diverse community by providing broad access to rigorous learning, advancing research and creativity, and forming partnerships for the common good.<\/em><\/p>\n

Photography by University Photographer Mike Peters<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Sara
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<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As she begins another week at Montclair State University, Sara Flores is already moving with purpose. A Linguistics major<\/a> and honors student<\/a>, she starts her busy Monday with an early-morning Zoom alongside campus leaders. By evening, she\u2019s in Paterson, helping adult ESL learners at Eastside High School as part of the University\u2019s One-Square Mile initiative<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Flores reflects on her journey <\/span>\u2013<\/span> balancing classes, service and her passion to empower those who are often overlooked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pursuing Excellence, Honoring Family<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"A
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\u2019s college-level work in high school means she\u2019s already classified as a junior.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As first gen, I want to make it worth my parents\u2019 money, time and sacrifices <\/span>\u2013<\/span> and for myself too. Education is a privilege; you have to take the opportunities in front of you because this environment doesn\u2019t exist elsewhere.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Associate
Her schedule includes Introduction to Cognitive Science with Associate Professor Lauren Covey, an opportunity to better understand how the mind works.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Campus Life: Finding Balance<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Sara
Sara manages her busy Mondays by using moments of downtime to relax \u2013 especially outdoors on campus when the weather is nice.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Sara
Lunch on the go: Sara runs on Dunkin\u2019, grabbing an iced coffee and croissant sandwich between commitments.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Sara
After a stop at her room in Dinallo Heights, she\u2019s off again for another campus event.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Connecting with Martinson Honors EDGE<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Sara
Sara sets up for a student event with Montclair\u2019s John Martinson Honors EDGE Program<\/a>. 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.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The classes in Honors encourage you to rethink your beliefs and the way things are structured, and then apply that to your field.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Sara
Sara chats with other Honors students during Field Day.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As an officer, I\u2019m always thinking about making events inclusive \u2013 considering commuters, timing and exam weeks. We work hard to make sure students feel supported.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Experiential Learning in Linguistics<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Sara
Beyond Honors, Sara holds a paid internship in the Linguistics lab<\/a>. Her work involves annotating speech \u2013 tracking starts, stops and word emphasis.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Sara
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<\/a>, including English classes for adults.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Unlocking Possibilities Through Language<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Sara
The language classes at Eastside \u2013 center of the One Square Mile<\/a> initiative \u2013 help adults unlock new possibilities. Sara works with beginners on introducing themselves and sharing their origins, encouraging real-life questions and translation support.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Sara
Sara shows fellow Bonner volunteers how to search for training opportunities and track their volunteer hours.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Language, Identity, Mutual Learning<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Sara
Sara grew up speaking Spanish at home but only learned to read the language at age 13.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\u2019re learning English, I\u2019m learning <\/span>\u2013 <\/span>and improving <\/span>\u2013 <\/span>my Spanish. It\u2019s a good relationship because we both learn.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

As told to Marilyn Joyce Lehren<\/em><\/p>\n

View more photos<\/a> for a complete look at Sara\u2019s day as a student, campus leader and ESL teacher.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ready to start your Montclair journey?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Visit campus<\/a>, request information<\/a> or apply today<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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