As a young child, Sarah Bourne was graced with parents who taught her a love of music, the outdoors, creativity, service and Jesus. Her dearest memories were camping in the Sierras, playing in the yard, watching her mom cook, her dad’s singing for church and her grandpa paint massive landscapes for their school plays. Her parents were constantly living out their example as Christian school teachers. She watched them serve, teach and encourage young people like it was breathing.

Growing older, she recognized how tiring teaching was, so she intended to go her own way, professionally, and become a physical therapist. But one of the most pivotal moments took place in her senior year of high school. She went on a mission trip to Tijuana, Mexico to help build a home. The opportunity to impact lives with lumber and concrete was so moving that her perspective was transformed ever since. She became focused on choosing a career path that would enable her to serve and encourage others. 

Later, in college at Concordia University, Irvine, she discovered some of her passions: coffee shops, music, people, and the Bible. She started a missions group that traveled to Taiwan and shared parables in a school there. After having such a positive experience in the Taiwanese school, she decided to became an educator. Holding her first college job as an assistant at a Montessori preschool, she discovered a particular passion for teaching in early childhood. 

Later on, however, it was marrying her dear husband, Don, in 1999 and raising their 3 children that taught her the ultimate life lessons and gave her the most joy. Don and Sarah have one older daughter and boy/girl twins. Their oldest daughter just graduated with a music degree, their son is serving in the US Army, and their youngest daughter is studying to be a nurse. She and her husband have lived in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Central Valley, Orange County, Southwest Washington, and now in Fairview. As a family, they love to travel, drink coffee (1819 in Thompson Station is one of our favorites!), get outdoors, and listen to music. Sarah especially enjoys connecting with people, creating art, singing with her daughter and listening to vinyl while working around the house.

Sarah has been teaching over 20 years and her experience ranges from early childhood to 12th grade. She has been a classroom teacher for 5th grade, 2nd grade, Pre-K, a Vice Principal for an elementary school, a teacher for homebound students, and has taught art and pottery to K-12th grades. While the places and ages have varied, one thing remains; that is the deep significance of building relationships. When children feel known and secure, they are free to take risks, and that is where discovery and wonder thrive. In that spirit, Sarah is overjoyed to be part of the learning and growing in God’s Creation at Ferntop.