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Sarah Lucca
Teacher of the Month
By Donna Smith
One of the most challenging times of her life was when Sarah Lucca's best male friend committed suicide in high school. Only 19 years old, she was devastated, even angry, for a long time. But she decided to go on with living her life and focused on school, where she studied to become a teacher because she loves being around children.
Lucca still sends her deceased friend's parents a Christmas card each year. This past summer, Lucca got married and his family were special guests at her wedding. This type of kindness and compassion that she harbors in her personal life also carries over into her life as a teacher.
"Sarah is a very compassionate, understanding and flexible person," says Pat Pribyl, principal at New Prague Primary School in New Prague, Minn. "Nothing seems to rattle her and she has these inner traits where she is so warm and kind."
For the past six years, Lucca has been a teacher at New Prague Primary School. She taught kindergarten until last year when she looped to first grade with her students. "I love teaching because I enjoy being around children," Lucca says. "They inspire me to be a better teacher and person. I love how honest and excited about learning young children are. They aren't afraid to tell you what they think of something."
It's also a nice perk when they tell you, "You're pretty," she says.
"Sarah is an amazing teacher," says Suzy Feine, a mother of two and one of Lucca's school parents. "Her passion for teaching and for small children is so evident. My son was a shy 6-year-old when he started kindergarten with her. He looped with her to first grade and during those two years completely transformed into an intelligent, compassionate and caring young man who was no longer shy."
