Sarah Zaharako is a fifth-year violin performance student completing an interdisciplinary degree that combines music education with visual arts. She not only has taught five years with the string prep program, she also spent a few weeks teaching music to children in Panama. But this experience changed my entire career plan. I still love to perform, but now I see myself as an educator. I can't foresee a time in my life when I won't be teaching.
Every student is different.
Each has different skills and needs and I love those differences. For example, at Lowell Elementary, I didn't have a classroom where I could set the rules, and I never had a guaranteed group to work with. I had to be flexible and spontaneous. Teaching through Oberlin has helped me clarify what I want to do with my life, and it has provided the skills so that I can begin to accomplish those goals. A limited number of instruments are also available.