OU Alumna Sara Juarez's Path
to Inspire and Educate
As the daughter of immigrants, University of Oklahoma Sara Juarez’s aspirations have always been centered around achieving success and honoring her parents’ sacrifices. She dove headfirst into the workforce, knowing that if she wanted to pursue a college education, it would be financed through her own earnings and scholarships. As a result of her efforts, Sara earned her degree in education, and today, works as a first-grade teacher at Oklahoma City Public Schools.
Teaching and Transforming
Sara remembers that as a child, she would gather her pens, notebooks, and whiteboard, where she would write “Miss. Juarez” in dry-erase marker. Her pretend classroom came to life with her parents as her eager students. They completed worksheets she made and practiced English ‘words of the day’ with Sara, who helped them learn how to pronounce the word.
Her pretend classroom followed her all the way to her career, where she now works as a first-grade teacher. Part of her passion comes from her understanding of the importance of representation in a child’s educational and personal development.
“In elementary, I rarely encountered students who resembled me, let alone teachers,” Sara said. “But as I transitioned from elementary to middle school and high school, I saw more students with backgrounds like mine attend my school. They faced the challenge of not knowing English, and some were just beginning to grasp the language.”
Sara often found herself being called out of class to assist secretaries or the principal to translate for students, and it wasn’t until she was a sophomore that she encountered a teacher with a background like hers.
“She carried herself with the same warmth and familiarity as my mom, and our ability to converse in Spanish further solidified my trust in her,” Sara said. “It was a simple yet significant reminder that I was not alone in my experiences.”
As a teacher, Sara is grateful for the opportunity to be part of children’s lives who will one day follow their passions.
“I hold the hope some will grow into doctors and lawyers, but above all, my mission as a teacher is to be a dependable figure students can rely on as they mature and strive to become the individuals they aspire to be,” Sara said. “I want them to pursue their dreams, whatever they are.”
Championing Access and Opportunity
As an undergraduate, Sara was an intern with Access and Opportunity Programs, a rewarding experience that allowed her to return to her high school and share her story as a student at OU.
“I had the privilege of connecting with students, who like me, faced similar challenges during their high school years,” Sara said. “I witnessed students I connected with become part of the OU family, which just proved to me the real impact of the Access and Opportunity Programs' work. I was able to convey to students that higher education is not just a distant dream, but a tangible reality.”
Her time with Access and Opportunity Programs and her work with Latinos Without Borders, an organization dedicated to guiding Latine students towards higher academia, solidified her passion for mentoring and advocating for students, whether they are in an elementary or high school setting.
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage
For Sara, her Hispanic heritage is a source of immense pride and gives her a sense of empowerment. She views her parents’ sacrifices as the energy fueling her and sees her community as one that has faced many challenges but continues to strive forward.
“Throughout my high school and college journey, the OU Latine community extended invaluable support in various ways,” Sara said. “I was fortunate to have mentors who guided me through college. These mentors played an instrumental role in my academic journey, from being a shoulder to lean on to holding a safe space on campus for me.”
