An approach to home economics can be taken in many ways. In the past, Ballard High School has had teachers who just assign projects for cooking, sewing, and more. Sarah Decoy has made a commitment to have a comforting space for learners and a place where students can connect both with and from their peers.
She always wanted to become a teacher so she could share her knowledge and learn. Being a teacher inspired her, but inspiration hasn’t always come from the classes where she had to remain seated.
Her inspiration came from mostly her PE teachers as she was constantly watching them get up and move. She wanted a space where she could make that happen.
She had a culinary class her sophomore year which was always a refreshing period throughout the day for her. Her teacher came from a culinary background making her knowledge with kids not great, and she appeared to be stressed most of the time. However, Decoy’s calm and tender disposition makes the space really warm and inviting for all.
“As teachers, we are supposed to be warm demanders and supportive figures where students can come to me about anything,” Decoy said.
While students can share and make connections constantly, she still sets expectations to push them to learn.
“It’s a very lively class and feels very welcoming…. She [Decoy] is always really friendly and constantly has a positive attitude. I can’t say anything bad about her,” junior Eleni Nicon said.
Students are more willing to participate in food science, partially because they get to enjoy the meals they have prepared and they are constantly learning new life skills.
These life skills help them learn about the real world and she constantly encourages mistakes because that is where a lot of growth comes in.
“When something goes wrong she is willing to try again or step in, she keeps her cool even when we mess up,” sophomore Natalie Gardener said.
A lot of learning in home economics happens outside of the classroom too, while applying the skills you learn when cooking at home or maybe repairing a hole in clothing.
In the independent living class they have covered sewing, clothing care and repair, budgeting, culinary arts, and upcoming job interviews aligned with creating a resume in hopes to prepare students for further experiences in the real world.
One of her recent memories that stand out is when a kid put cookies in the oven and she had to put out a fire.
She really enjoys teaching and enjoys the environment a lot.
“I love it here, all the kids are supportive, all the admin is supportive too,” Decoy said.
She understands that student attention spans are not the longest, so she keeps her time at the front instructionally short and sweet. Decoy, and makes sure to incorporate more direct instruction one on one, while also providing the students with brain breaks.
She puts in an effort to interact and genuinely get to know the students, past just the average questions of “How’s your day going?” and things like that.
She has noticed that kids naturally like to talk with each other in the kitchen, constantly assigning roles and taking action intuitively.
She has created a comforting space, and is looking forward to more memories and connections.
