“With an extremely talented and dedicated staff, the biggest challenge will be to learn what best practices already exist and where our programs can be elevated to the highest standard of childcare and early education in the community.”

Sarah Meagher believes in the power of quality education to transform the lives of children. But the reality of maintaining EmBe’s high standards of learning requires constant effort from both teachers and administrators. As the new Director of Curriculum and Licensing at EmBe, Sarah has the passion and skills to rise to the challenge of delivering world-class education to the youth of Sioux Falls.

It begins by challenging herself to live by advice she received at the beginning of her career. “What do you expect of your students every day? Do you want them to be curious, grow in knowledge and character, and try to be better every day? If that is what you expect, you must also ask it of yourself and those you manage – you cannot expect children to meet goals that you refuse to attempt,” says Sarah, quoting an old mentor. She understands that fostering a sense of wonder, exploration and curiosity in students requires the same from educators.

Luckily for EmBe, Sarah has the experience to put this fulfilling approach to education into practice. After nearly a decade in New York, Sarah moved back to Sioux Falls with her family. “I worked with a nonprofit and charter schools, developing curriculum and overseeing after-school programming, staffing, and operations,” says Meagher about her time in New York. “The most rewarding part of my work there was coaching staff and developing quality programming for students K-8.”

Now Sarah is excited to bring her developmental expertise to childcare and after-school programming at EmBe. Exceptional programs are already in place here, so Sarah faces a different kind of difficulty in her new role. “With an extremely talented and dedicated staff, the biggest challenge will be to learn what best practices already exist and where our programs can be elevated to the highest standard of childcare and early education in the community.”

But Sarah is already putting her skills and experience to good use. “I am particularly excited about our Spanish Immersion Program, KinderCollege, and Jr. KinderCollege. With those programs as our standard bearers, it will be vital to assess our younger age programming,” says Meagher about her intent to ensure high-quality education. She also talks about “helping our entire staff understand how intertwined their roles are across ages and subjects, and how each year (and even months) will ultimately impact a child’s life, and in turn, their impact on our community.”

As EmBe enters its next 100 years of serving Sioux Falls, we need the foresight and innovation of professionals like Sarah Meagher. Her big ideas polish the educational masthead at EmBe and bring our mission to a high shine. With Sarah at the curricu-helm, the next century of youth programming looks bright aboard the good ship EmBe.