When McHenry High School teacher Sara Cossiboon was in school, her favorite day was near the end of the year when her teacher handed out leftover supplies. Cossiboon enjoyed having the school supplies so she could practice being a teacher at home.
Now her dream job as a teacher earned her the East Campus Staff Member of the Month for March. Though she’s been at McHenry for only a few years, students and colleagues said she’s already made an impact.
Freshman Joe Gravel credits her for getting his high school experience off to a good start, especially during a year when much of the learning has been done remotely.
“Whenever I get stuck, she’s quick to help me,” Gravel said. “She wants me to do the best I can.”
While she knew she liked teaching at a young age, Cossiboon tried other things along the way. A native of Minnesota, Cossiboon moved to Crystal Lake while in high school. After she graduated, she earned an associate’s degree in business management from McHenry County College, and went to work managing a residential facility.
But she kept coming back to teaching.
As she had her own children, she ran a home daycare then went back to school. While working as an aide and substitute teaching, she got her bachelor’s degree in behavioral science from National Louis University. She later got a master’s degree in special education from Dominican University.
“And now I’m happy,” she said. “This is always what I wanted to do since I was little. It just took me a longer time to get here.”
She said she’s inspired every day by watching her students learn and grow. The past year has been a challenge with remote learning for much of the school year, so she said it makes her feel particularly good that one of her freshmen students nominated her for the award.
“We’re all getting through this together,” she said.
The MCHS Staff Member of the Month program honors a staff member from both East Campus and West Campus each month during the school year. Thanks to the support from Meat and Potato Eatery and Brunch Cafe, each award recipient receives a gift certificate as well as a plaque.
To learn more about the program, click here. To make a nomination, click here.
Click here to see the video announcement.