Board Member
Hometown: Myersville, Maryland
What was the most challenging experience you faced as a child, and how did you overcome it?
I had autoimmune hepatitis as a child and spent nine years as an outpatient atJohns Hopkins Hospital. I remember watching Little Bear and eating pretzels in ahospital room as one of my earliest memories. My parents drove me across the state of Maryland for my appointments, all while my mom was teaching kindergarten and constantly making sub plans. I feel so grateful for the sacrifices my family made to find me the right care, which led to my full recovery.
What was your favorite meal or dish that your family would make, and do you still enjoy it today?
Holupchi, which are cabbage rolls! My dad’s family is from Ukraine and he made these for us growing up. I however, have never mastered the technique, so I have to wait until I visit my parents to enjoy them!
What was your favorite hobby or extracurricular activity as a child, and did you pursue it further later in life?
I am a classically trained violinist! I started playing in 4th grade and played in a number of school, county, and community orchestras throughout elementary, middle, and high school. I also did some occasional fiddling, played on the radio, and recorded on two albums! Music was very much part of my identity as a teenager, and I continued playing in a symphony orchestra when I went to college. Now, I bring my violin to school sometimes and play with my students in orchestra class! I believe that every child deserves the opportunity to learn an instrument.
Biography
Sayre Posey is a social studies educator and currently teaches at a Title I middle school in Salt Lake City, Utah. She began her career in Baltimore City Public Schools after volunteering with at-risk students in college. Sayre is the 2025 Utah Teacher of the Year, the 2025 Salt Lake City School District Teacher of the Year, and received a Travelers Award for Teaching Excellence from the National Education Association Foundation. She holds an M.Ed from Southern Utah University, and a BA in History Education from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
