Lea Ann Sager

My true passions are teaching, my family, and creating. I was born and raised in McLeansboro, IL. After student teaching in First Grade here at Hawthorn School, and graduating from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, I was hired to teach Second Grade 26 years ago. I have a master's degree in Instructional Technology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and enjoy sharing my love of technology with my class.

Teaching has always been in my blood. My father is a teacher and administrator.  From a very young age, I wanted to be a teacher. Once a close friend and colleague asked me, "What do you like best about teaching?" I replied, "The excitement and satisfaction I feel when I, learn something new from my students. When I see the light of learning shine in their young eyes“

As a teacher, you have a wonderful opportunity to share your expertise, and at times, even your own personal perspective. What makes it significant is when your students embrace that knowledge and make it their own by applying it towards a creative endeavor, which results in something unique and innovative. It's at that magical moment when the student becomes the teacher and by doing so gives back a part of themselves. To me, that's what teaching truly is: giving something back.

When I am not teaching my passions are spending time with my family and creating... anything. My husband, Jim and I have been happily married for nearly 10 years. I have three wonderful step-sons, James, Donny, and Kevin. Jim and I spend countless hours supporting the athletic teams of Salem, cheering on the Sager boys and their teams of cross country, basketball, track and golf. If you see me at a sporting event, most likely I will be knitting.  Knitting calms my nerves while the Sager boys are competing. In the summer I enjoy crafting, cross stitching, and reading. Our family spends time picnicking, boating and fishing.  The fall is the time to go driftwood hunting and paint Santas. My parents and I had a craft business for 13 years called "Creek Bank Santas." I still enjoy finding driftwood and painting Santas. During the winter my passion turns to fabric. I enjoy quilting and machine embroidery. My grandmother was a quilt maker, my mother a seamstress and they passed her love of fabric to me. I am known as the "flower lady" in the Spring because I am busy making bouquets and boutonnieres for Prom. Always, my laPTOp is never far  away and gets a work out surfing the Internet searching for creative ideas to share with the class, graphics for my website, a new craft project or directions to the Sager boys next sporting event.

A person is happiest when they find passion. I have passion for teaching, my family, and creating... anything.