Faculty

Sarah Moore

  • Human Services & Restorative Justice

She’s compassionate and caring. Eager to lift up others. And determined to empower those in need. Sarah connects with her students on a deep and personal level. Leading by example, she inspires tomorrow’s agents of change.

Sarah Moore

Q&A with Sarah

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ASPECT OF TEACHING AT PENN COLLEGE?

My favorite aspect of teaching at Penn College is the students. Everyone comes with a story. Usually their story has a strong influence on why they chose a helping career. The reasons that students share are very diverse and unique. Those reasons keep me motivated and passionate about providing them an educational experience that they will be able to apply to real-world situations.

YOUR INITIAL CAREER FOCUS WAS IN THE AREA OF SIGN LANGUAGE. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO THAT SPECIALTY?

At a very young age, my father found someone to teach me basic sign language. After that experience, a very good family friend had a daughter who was born deaf. I was very interested in learning how they would communicate with their child and how she would learn to read and write. I was lucky enough to be invited on trips and to family camps where we would learn more about deafness. This family friend later became my supervisor at Penn College. It’s a small world. You never know when you are networking and building relationships and connections. Also, a deaf girl was in my high school classes. I was very intrigued with the role of her interpreter. In fact, this aid helped me identify that I wanted to become an interpreter, too. 

HOW DID YOUR WORK IN DISABILITY SERVICES EVOLVE INTO BEING A FACULTY MEMBER?

Prior to becoming an instructor, I spent nearly 10 years in Penn College's Disability Services office. I spent some of that time as a sign language interpreter while other time was spent with a variety of students who disclosed their disabilities upon entering college. I was exposed to all types of disabilities, some I knew very little about and others were a bit more common. In my role as a student support assistant, I advocated for student needs and worked with faculty to provide appropriate accommodations. I also had on-going appointments with students who were navigating their disabilities for the first time.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE ACTIVITY THAT YOU ENGAGE YOUR STUDENTS IN?

My favorite activities are the three internship experiences that students must do to earn their bachelor's degree. The first experience is in the very first semester in HSJ 115 when they must go out to an agency and get 30 hours of observation to get a better understanding of what the helping profession does and career paths for them to consider. The second placement is after their second year and has a 250-hour internship. This internship tends to be more observational, but many times our students are able to get hands-on practice. The third and final internship takes place after their senior-level coursework is completed. That is usually in a placement where they have identified the population in which they want to work with or the community in which they want to live. It is exciting to see them blossom and grow.

HOW DOES THE MIX OF PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE AND THEORY BENEFIT STUDENTS?

The three internship experiences allow students to get out in the field. This is one of my favorite things about our program. Students are getting that initial experience their very first semester. If there is any doubt that this is the correct fit, they find out quickly. Even students who don’t enjoy their first experience often stay in the program and choose a totally different population or career path for their second experience. So those growing and learning experiences are still valuable. Sometimes it's best to learn what you don’t want to do before you find out what you really do want to do.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM YOUR STUDENTS?

I’ve learned not to give up. Many students are balancing a family life, a work life, and a student life. When I think that my plate is full, I remember students that are balancing much more than I am and they are getting it done!

My students also remind me that there are good people in this world. In a world that is full of challenges and adversity, most of these people want to go out and make a difference. They are advocates for change and sometimes a voice for individuals who aren’t being heard.

Finally, these students have a strong desire to learn. This reminds me that there’s always something new to learn, try, or experience. Learning is something that never ends. Our field evolves as the world changes and the students remind me to be open minded, try new things, and not to sweat the small stuff!

TAKING THE LEAD

"Our graduates are agents of change, community focused, and advocates for individuals who have special needs. They learn to address every situation with a strength-based approach. The world needs more optimistic individuals. Our students bring these essential skills and a positive mindset to the communities and organizations where they seek to influence change."

Sarah Moore

Video Q&A
Featured Video

What is human services and restorative justice?

Sarah Moore, Human Services and Restorative Justice instructor tackles this and the most asked questions about this career path. Learn how you can inspire change in enrich the lives of others with a career in human services and restorative justice.

Guaranteed Momentum
Taking the full-circle approach

Taking the full-circle approach

Thirty-five years strong, the human services program at Penn College recently evolved to include courses focusing on restorative justice. This refreshed curriculum equips students with skills needed to consider diverse careers like social services caseworkers, drug and alcohol counselors, and youth development specialists.

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Real-World Ready
Learning beyond the classroom

Learning beyond the classroom

To give your best you need to be at your best. The Human Services & Restorative Justice curriculum even includes a course to help you with the highs and lows of your career. As part of Serving and Surviving Human Services (HSJ 275), Sarah took her class to an area equine farm where students put theory to practice working with horses to overcome challenges. 

Check out the story

Guaranteed Momentum
Pitching in when needed

Pitching in when needed

While working for Disability Services at the College, Sarah offered her sign language assistance at the annual Challenger Division exhibition game, held as part of the Little League Baseball World Series in South Williamsport.

Read her story

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Human Services & Restorative Justice

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