Sarah Myers P'90, GP'16: 2026 Foundress Society Inductee

The way Sarah Myers describes it, she came to teach at NDP by mistake: A brief “pew conversation” about a short-term substitute teaching job ultimately turned into a 50-year career in Notre Dame’s Department of Languages.

As the saying goes, God turns our mistakes into miracles, and Sarah Myers’ time at NDP has certainly been miraculous for us all.

Sarah earned her bachelor’s degree from Frostburg State University and her master’s degree from Temple University, bringing her love of language and learning to generations of NDP students.  Since 1975, she has modeled the highest expectations for both students and adults, demonstrating every day that leadership is not about authority, but about integrity, humility, and love. For her, the students are at the heart of everything—each Spanish lesson, each trip to Spain or New York City which she chaperoned, each prayer, and each moment of fun. This includes the time when she and a few other teachers donned silver lame jumpsuits and performed “Dancing Queen” at Student Appreciation Day. Her granddaughter, Grace, a student at the time, was thoroughly amused!

While first and foremost a teacher, Sarah’s influence has also extended beyond the classroom. As the leader of NDP’s strategic planning efforts for many years, she helped shape a vision that advanced the school. A mentor to countless young teachers, she has been both a trusted guide and a mother figure, offering encouragement, wisdom, and unwavering support. Her calm demeanor, demonstrated through consistent advice, “No blood, no fire,” has defused more than one stressful situation. She has a rare gift for being direct and honest while remaining loving and compassionate, helping others grow while always preserving their dignity.

Deep faith and a commitment to Catholic Social Teaching ground Sarah. She approaches every situation thoughtfully, never reacting impulsively, but pausing to pray, reflect, and make careful, compassionate decisions. Her enduring message has been simple yet profound: love yourself, be yourself, put your best foot forward, and give yourself grace when you make mistakes.

Respected by colleagues, trusted by leadership, and cherished by generations of students and educators, Sarah Myers’ legacy will continue to inspire all of us. We can only hope to earn the respect she has so richly deserved.