A few months ago, as I was driving away from my house after another familiar conflict with my teen, feeling frustrated and ineffective as a parent, I got a call from Sarah Carter.
“Hey, just wanted to touch base about a few PTO things. How are you?” she said.
I dug in. “Ugh…” and proceeded to relay my most immediate emotions. She listened. I didn’t really expect much more than to get a few irritations off my chest.
But Sarah did more than listen. She acknowledged my frustration without making it feel petty, and then, quite brilliantly, reframed the concern with a reasonable flip side that I hadn’t considered. Almost instantly, I went from feeling rather hopeless to empowered, and planned to have a completely different conversation with my teen upon my return. So few people have the ability to offer both empathy and guidance, effectively and without judgment. This is one of Sarah’s many superpowers.
When Sarah told me that she was considering running for School Committee, I was elated. “This is perfect!” Not only is this a perfect medium for Sarah’s many strengths, it is perfect for parents in our community to have such a talented School Committee candidate.
Sarah is the consummate volunteer. She has been on just about every board that supports our schools, from LexFUN to LEF to the PTO to SEPAC. She understands how to work with schools effectively to enhance education and enact positive change. I once asked her what she did over the weekend, and she told me she read the 30-page projected enrollment document—for fun!
Sarah shows up, early, and is not afraid to roll up her sleeves and jump in. She’s a doer, always the first to volunteer and complete action items. I often marvel at her ability to do things in about a quarter of the time it might take others, but she pays attention to the bigger picture, too.
Sarah is a tireless and effective advocate for the inclusion of neurodiverse students in our schools. She has a deep understanding and appreciation for the complexities of educating and parenting a student with special needs, and the coordination that’s required to help students with learning differences thrive. She articulately summarizes concerns and speaks out as a parent and spokesperson, often suggesting pathways for conflict resolution that may not have been considered.
Sarah also has great respect for the art of being an educator. As a Mini Grant co-chair for the middle and high schools, she volunteers to read through countless grant applications multiple times per year to approve funding for teachers to further students’ education or enhance their professional development. As a lifelong resident of Lexington and a graduate of LHS (yes, the same building), Sarah has vast, first-hand, institutional knowledge of the many ways in which the building usage has shifted to accommodate population growth and educational needs. Her experiences and collaborative approach to problem solving are invaluable assets as the planning phases of the new building begin.
In our work together as PTO co-presidents for the past two years, Sarah has always been an incredibly collaborative and communicative partner. She is an organized thinker and a creative problem solver. She is someone who can set realistic goals and take concrete steps toward meeting them. Sarah has a way of reframing the parental anxieties we all experience as our children grow and evolve into adolescence and adulthood.
Sarah is firm in her values and not afraid to articulate concerns, even when they are uncomfortable. She is also capable of receiving feedback and making meaningful shifts. Sarah can work collaboratively with people who have different opinions because she listens actively and checks for understanding. She’s curious, asks great questions, and does her research. These attributes are all vitally important for serving on the School Committee. And, if that isn’t enough, she has an uncannily good memory and an impressive knack for trivia!
Sarah Carter is an exceptional candidate for the School Committee. I whole-heartedly endorse Sarah’s candidacy for School Committee, and strongly recommend that you vote for her on March 3.