About the "Teacher Feature"
The Teacher Feature is designed to acquaint you with "another side" of our Academy teachers in addition to their professional lives. Each month, an interview and a few photo clips of a teacher will appear in the Teacher Feature. We have great people serving here at the Academy, and we want you to get to know and appreciate them. - Mr. Zimmerman
The following article was published on Jan 19, 2010.
Miss Sarah Pelletier
What do you do for fun?
I enjoy visiting with family and friends, cooking, and outdoor activities such as hiking, walking, and swimming. Most of my family live in Caribou, and I love visiting them whenever possible. I have a sister named Kathryn (age 11) and a brother named Benjamin (age 3) who are still living home with my mom and dad. In the summer, I will usually take Kathryn and Ben swimming, biking, or walking, and in the winter my mom, sister and I will probably do a little snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. My brothers Travis, Tim, and sister-in-law Ruth are living in Florida as they are still attending different colleges in the Pensacola area. We are a pretty tight-knit group in spite of the distance between us! Whenever we are able to be together, we enjoy hiking various mountains in the area (especially Big Rock and Quaggy Jo) and shooting my brothers' .500 S&W magnum revolver, 9 millimeter Derringer pistol, and .38 special revolver. I haven't actually shot the .500 magnum revolver yet, but I promised my brother I would this summer. :)
I enjoy cooking just about anything--desserts, meals, etc. I learned a lot of practical cooking skills from my mom, but I've also worked at several different restaurants/cafeterias and have learned much there also; however, I'm not sure all of my restaurant experience could be called practical--who wants to eat liver and onions, anyway??
What books or books have you recently read?
I enjoy reading the classics--especially books by Robert Louis Stevenson, Jack London, and James Fenimore Cooper. Sometimes a good mystery or cop novel will catch my interest as well. In class, we are reading the Derwood Inc. series. This series is an excellent example of Christian fiction. The students are able to enjoy the many adventures of the Derwood family and learn from the children's mistakes and successes. Right now, we have taken a break from that series to enjoy some historical fiction, Morgan, the Jersey Spy, set in colonial times during the Revolutionary War.
How did you spend your summer?
I spent my summer working at McDonald's from 4:30 am-1:00 pm five days a week. I enjoy the change in pace and don't mind the early mornings. Plus, at McDonald's I have the opportunity to rub shoulders with many different people from all walks of life--quite the experience sometimes! I also helped a friend keep about 6 acres of lawn mowed--a 10 hour job if one tried to do it all at once. She really helped me transition to living in Houlton, and so I did this for her to return the favor. I didn't mind one bit because I was able to be outside and in the sunshine! In my spare time, I went walking and swimming whenever possible. On rainy days (we had plenty of those), I used the time to get caught up on some rest and relaxation.
Of what church are you a member and in what ministries do you participate?
I attend the East Hodgdon Bible Church and teach Sunday school for ages 3-5. I enjoy the kids--quite a difference from the sixth-graders I teach at GHCA! The people of EHBC have been very hospitable and have made me feel welcome since I moved to Houlton a little over a year and a half ago.
Do you have a life verse? Why have you adopted it?
My favorite chapter of the Bible is Psalm 18. I love this chapter because it reminds me that God is my protection and is with me wherever I go. He has provided so much for me in the past, and this fact gives me courage to face whatever is in the future. Some of my favorite verses in this chapter are "I will love thee, O Lord, my strength" (v.1), "For thou wilt light my candle; the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness" (v. 28), and "He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms." (v. 33-34) God has really been so good to me--way more than I deserve.
What have you done recently to better yourself professionally?
I participte in various teacher workshops made available by GHCA. I am always looking for new teaching ideas either online or by good discussion with other teachers. I like to find creative ways to make the school day profitable and enjoyable for the students.
What makes you want to get up in the morning?
I get up each morning because I want to please God and do my job well. A good teacher gets up in the morning with a good attitude so that the students can begin their day on a positive note.
What do you like about GHCA?
What I like about GHCA are the people--staff and students. I feel very blessed to work with the people I do each day. I also enjoy teaching a curriculum that is strong academically and integrates Biblical principles.
If you could design your dream school, what would it look like?
My "dream" school would be able to give what GHCA gives academically, spiritually, and socially without any cost to parents just as the public schools can afford to do. That way, all children would have equal opportunity to attend without finances being a problem.