I SAID WHAT I SAID.
Last year I had the unique opportunity to be a History Teacher. It changed my life.
I wrote the following post in 2019 when the school year was coming to an end.
MY STUDENTS GET ME EMOTIONAL
As I sit here writing quarter 3 report card comments for my 7th and 8th grade students, I slowly start to notice that I have all the feels right now…
I remember when I first started working at an independent school thinking… “Girl, what are you doing here? You don’t fit, how will you connect with these kids, let alone faculty and staff…?” because surely you need to have something in common to build relationships with people and I just felt different. And for a long time I felt guilty.
On days that were more challenging I said to myself, “Mm hmm! That’s what happens when you choose to work somewhere that doesn’t look like you, that doesn’t value you, and can’t possibly benefit from your mere presence.”
I was so wrong.
After 3 whole years of working in independent schools I can say with all conviction, NO. Private independent schools do not look like us– however, we are necessary, we are valuable, and we are blessings to these institutions and the students & families they serve.
Say it with me… “I am necessary. I am valuable. I am a blessing. PERIOD.
There are countless memories that cross my mind of times when I “put my kids on game” from black hair to Black History, but they too have put Ms. Lauture on game. As I make my way to the end of my 1st official year of teaching, I can honestly say that I have grown tremendously both personally and professionally and much of that has to do with my students. Their unwavering trust in me helped me show up in ways I never thought I could.
Taking the time to write about each individual student’s progress and character makes my heart smile, knowing this is an extension of the work we’ve done together, the growth we’ve experienced together.
I got teary-eyed ya’ll and that’s not easy for a G like me… but, your students will do it to ya won’t they.
I hope you understand me <3.
In empowerment & appreciation,
Sarah Lauture, @sasalafleur
gotten in Boston in hopes that this job in B’more was mine. It just made sense! This was a place where I interned during grad school AND I was the reference for one of their amazing employees. Not to mention how they swore by the fact that I was their “top candidate.” Workplace Lesson 101: Never jump ship until you know that you’ve securely fastened your life jacket well enough to stay afloat (quote me on that, that was straight off the top!)
After sharing with my family what had happened, I went cold. All I kept hearing for 2 days straight was “you blew it, you look stupid, you did this to yourself, YOU, YOU, YOU.” HEAVY! But after those 2 days passed, something happened. There was a spark within me. In retrospect, it was the Holy Spirit that interceded (Romans 8:26-27). You know when you’re like, “I just had a feeling… or something clicked for me” –> that feeling? that click? Is the Holy Spirit. 2 days of moping around and nothing to show for it. I lacked grace for myself and I lacked faith in God. So I made a choice and that choice was to see the lesson in the L. When you try to walk ahead of God, He lets you! Nevertheless, there are obstacles that you will encounter that cannot be overcome by human power alone and quickly you realize that you can only “do ALL THINGS through CHRIST who strengthens you” (Philippians 4:13).
In this season, I was fervently searching for a deeper relationship with God. I do not take any of my blessings for granted and after walking in faith, I knew I had to surrender my life 100%. I joined the Worship Team, Choir, and started to build community at church (Jubilee Boston WUSSUP!!!). I was still very involved and connected to my 
Fast forward, I get in and interview… honestly ya’ll at this point, I had done SO many interviews it was the most relaxing process ever– not to mention the awesome people I met along the way (like the really cool uber drivers who assured that I would like it here if I got the job… yeah we chopped it up). It’s January 17th, 2019 and I’m back in Boston driving home from work when I get an incoming call from TN! My initial thought? —alllrriighhtt, here goes the “thank you for your time but we’ve gone with someone with more experience” line… but I was surprisingly mistaken. They wanted me to join their Founding team and be the person to build their School Counseling Program. Ya’ll know I fell ALL the way out!!! After a week of prayer and sleeping on it, I accepted the position. On June 22nd, 2019, my mother, sister, and I hit the road. We stopped at my brother’s house in Charlotte first, then drove another 6 hours to my place here in Tennessee.
A beautiful and inspiring story of the life of Jean-Michel Basquiat a legendary artist from Brooklyn, New York who inspired generations of artists that came after him. One thing I find to be amazing about this book is how the Javanka interprets Basquiat’s work in this book, as none of it is Basquiat’s original artwork. In the foreword Javanka encourages his readers to create their own art by collecting materials from people and places in their environment. This story is very informational and highlights important aspects in the complex life of Jean-Michel. Mental illness is also touched on in this book as Basquiat’s mother suffered from it; Javanka says, “I also wanted young readers and the adults in their lives to be able to use Basquiat’s story as a catalyst for conversation and healing.” Nonetheless, this book serves as a powerful tool to encourage children to color/draw/paint imperfectly, because the 
Ahh!! This book is brilliant and was simply a joy to read… and look at! Photographer, Charles R. Smith found this original poem written by Langston and decided to bring its words to life. And he DID THAT! What I love so much about this book is that it shows black people of all different shades, features, ages etc. demonstrating to all that while we stand collectively, there are a number of things that make us unique to one another. In the photographer’s notes at the end of the book he talks about his inspiration for creating the book and how he made his decisions. Charles says something that is very important and that was, “Only black people would be in the book, since they are who Langston celebrated. His words were not meant to dismiss other races; just to celebrate his own.” This a very important concept we should teach our children as early as possible and one we should remember as we continue through life.
Now I have to confess, I found and read this book more for me personally than anyone else. Haha! I am a lover of all things Langston Hughes and I saw a lot of myself in this little girl. This book is a tale of a Harlem girl who visits Langston’s home with her father, she too, is a poet. She talks about who Langston was and raves about her special trip to his house. First of all, I need to visit Langston’s house now! And second, I think this was a great way to connect an American cultural hero to the youth of today. While Langston lived during times of heartache and pain, he still created a number of masterpieces (novels, children’s stories, lyrics for musicals, plays etc.) exhibiting his hopes for a better tomorrow. This is a beautiful and inspiring book for both children and adults.
This book is calls out every Black child and asks them very important questions… questions that I feel a lot of people forget to actually ask black children regularly. This book is a reminder not only to the Black child, but to everyone who reads it, that you can do anything you imagine. We are not predisposed to stupidity (that is not funny – it is offensive & I’ve witnessed people laugh when that was said), we are not less than, we are not less capable, WE. ARE. NOT. LESS. This book is saying exactly this using other words and it charges the upcoming generations to aspire to take on leadership positions to positively impact our nation.
Listennnnnnn, if you have or know a young boy who knows how DOPE it is to get a FRESH CUT! This is the book you NEED. It truly captures the essence of “Black Boy Joy” and the emotions that come from getting a fresh hair cut at your local barbershop. It warmed my heart to also see different hair types depicted in the book — locks, braids, low cut, fade… even a woman with a tapered side (like I used to have) man oh man! I smiled as I read this, because it’s exactly what our little ones need to feel their very best! With or without a haircut, this book shares with the world a very special experience, that words have not been able to describe, in such an impeccable way.
sweetSARendipity 