Sara Underhill - Art Teacher, World Traveler...Not a Chemist
"When I think of Sara, I think of giving," says Karrie Boser, Healy Principal. "One event that comes to mind that she has done for years has been her soup bowl dinner, which raises funds for our local food shelf and Pioneer Pack program at Pioneer elementary (the Pioneer Pack program provides food to children in need over the weekends). Just last weekend she had Art Club students in and they threw (meaning: made out of pottery) over 100 bowls to prepare for this great event."
I’m Mrs. Sara Underhill, the high school art teacher. I have been teaching art in Pierz for 8 years. Prior to working in Pierz, I was the middle level art teacher in Milaca. When I started college, I actually thought I was going to be a chemist. It turns out that I’m not very good at chemistry!
I grew up in Red Wing, MN. While in high school I was on the swim team, played clarinet in band, was involved with Speech & Theater, National Honor Society and was a member of the student/athlete leadership team. After I graduated high school I went to Concordia College in Moorhead, MN where I studied Art Education and German. While on campus, I was on the swim team and was part of the Youth Outreach Program. The activities I was involved with helped to shape me into the person I am today - in swimming I practiced persistence and dedication. My art classes helped me practice focus and pushed me out of my comfort zone so that I would try new things. One of the biggest things I see with my Art Club students is just having a place to fit in. Everyone is different and unique and needs a place to be themselves. I found that and I hope that Pierz students are able to find that as well. That’s why activities matter. IT GIVES STUDENTS A PLACE TO FIT IN.
When I’m not at school I’m probably hanging out with my family. My husband, Jay, and I have been married 11 years and we have two children. Mark is 8 years old and is in 2nd grade at Pioneer. Ali is 6 years old and in Kindergarten. We like spending time together exploring outside, creating art, reading, listening to music, and watching movies. In the summer we like to go to the lake, fishing, swimming, camping and four-wheeling.
I love to travel! I’ve been to Europe (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and Denmark) and have traveled to most of the 50 states, including Hawaii twice! I love learning - especially about artists both historical and contemporary - and I like being able to see where they’ve lived and the environment that inspired them.
I think being an art teacher is the best job ever. I enjoy being able to try new materials and help students problem solve and be creative. Pablo Picasso said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” My goal as a teacher is to make artists. When I say “make artists,” I don’t expect every student that leaves my class to produce art as a profession or even as a hobby. I want my students to be reflective, committed young adults that are able to think critically, collaborate productively, communicate effectively, and be creative. That’s the artists I want to create.
I grew up in Red Wing, MN. While in high school I was on the swim team, played clarinet in band, was involved with Speech & Theater, National Honor Society and was a member of the student/athlete leadership team. After I graduated high school I went to Concordia College in Moorhead, MN where I studied Art Education and German. While on campus, I was on the swim team and was part of the Youth Outreach Program. The activities I was involved with helped to shape me into the person I am today - in swimming I practiced persistence and dedication. My art classes helped me practice focus and pushed me out of my comfort zone so that I would try new things. One of the biggest things I see with my Art Club students is just having a place to fit in. Everyone is different and unique and needs a place to be themselves. I found that and I hope that Pierz students are able to find that as well. That’s why activities matter. IT GIVES STUDENTS A PLACE TO FIT IN.
When I’m not at school I’m probably hanging out with my family. My husband, Jay, and I have been married 11 years and we have two children. Mark is 8 years old and is in 2nd grade at Pioneer. Ali is 6 years old and in Kindergarten. We like spending time together exploring outside, creating art, reading, listening to music, and watching movies. In the summer we like to go to the lake, fishing, swimming, camping and four-wheeling.
I love to travel! I’ve been to Europe (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and Denmark) and have traveled to most of the 50 states, including Hawaii twice! I love learning - especially about artists both historical and contemporary - and I like being able to see where they’ve lived and the environment that inspired them.
I think being an art teacher is the best job ever. I enjoy being able to try new materials and help students problem solve and be creative. Pablo Picasso said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” My goal as a teacher is to make artists. When I say “make artists,” I don’t expect every student that leaves my class to produce art as a profession or even as a hobby. I want my students to be reflective, committed young adults that are able to think critically, collaborate productively, communicate effectively, and be creative. That’s the artists I want to create.
