Sarah Kendrick's future was in the funeral business, but fate led her to Dewey High instead
“Necessity … the mother of invention.” (Plato)
So what does the above observation — made about 2,500 years ago by Plato — and Dewey High School have in common?
Sarah Kendrick.
Had her destiny proceeded along the path she had consciously chosen, Kendrick might today be in the business of comforting the bereaved and filling other duties related to funeral services.
And, she likely would have been good at it.
But, circumstances moved her to a different path of impact on human lives.
Instead of dealing respectfully with the dearly departed, Kendrick is nourishing young, living minds as a Dewey teacher.
Her primary role is in teaching biology, but she also serves in other ways, including working after school with Dewey’s Academic Team.
Kendrick, a Claremore product, majored in college in funeral services. There was a unique challenge, however.
As she was in the finishing stage of her studies, she became engaged to a man also studying to be a funeral services director.
They choose to live in Pawhuska, which wasn’t exactly a boom town for funeral directors.
“I had to find a new career,” said Kendrick, who is alternatively certified in education.
Dewey High brought her on board. She’s been there 13 years now — and proven to be a valuable asset in the ongoing wrangle of injecting knowledge into the noggins of both willing and unwilling minds.
Kendrick does it well, Dewey High School Principal Josh Stowe said.
“She wears a lot of hats for us … and does a tremendous job,” he said. “To begin with, she’s a great biology teacher who works diligently to ensure her students master the content.”
In addition, she is an instructional coach available to the entire staff to assist with technology needs, he said.
“She has taken on other duties with extracurriculars (such as the Academic Team) to provide the best experience possible for our students,” Stowe concluded.
Kendrick is in her first year working with the Academic Team. Students are invited to participate after school. From this group, four will be chosen to represent Dewey in the Quiz Bowl, an Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association-sanctified competition.
“It’s just really fun to work with the students,” in a looser, more enjoyable atmosphere away from a formal classroom setting, Kendrick said.
“We get to have more fun, and they get to highlight their interests,” she added.
In her “day” job as a biology instructor, Kendrick tries to connect the complicated subject matter with the things happening in the students' own bodies.
“I try to point out that relevance — that you have so many things inside you related to biology,” Kendrick said.
She also seeks practical visual models to help the students comprehend the subject.
There is an emotional payoff for Kendrick.
“It’s just really fun to hear kids say, ‘Now, it makes sense. Now I understand,’” she said.
Kendrick also remains grateful fate guided her to Dewey High.
“I really enjoy teaching at Dewey,” she said. “The administration is very supportive, and they will always be there to help their teachers.”
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: For educator, it was necessity that led her to Dewey High
