Sarah (Regan) Dewey ’11

Back to All International Women's Day, Psychology Spotlights

2011

Current job title and employer and briefly describe what it is you do: I am a College Counselor at Boston Prep.

Tell us a little bit about yourself: I recently moved to the Boston area with my husband, two kids, and two dogs. I work at Boston Prep, a public charter school in Hyde Park that serves students in grades 6-12. Previously I worked at KIPP Delta Public Schools in Arkansas for seven years. When I am not working, I enjoy traveling, spending time with my family, playing basketball, and watching television shows written/produced/created by Mike Schur.

Tell us about your Saint Michael’s College experience: I absolutely loved my four years at St. Mike’s. It was not my first choice school, but I do believe it turned out to be the perfect place for me. I ran on the Women’s Cross Country team, served on the MOVE Core Team, participated in LEAP retreats, went on two service trips, and met some of my very best friends (including my husband). The relationships I built with peers, staff members, and faculty helped to shape who I became, and also how I chose to spend my time and energy post-graduation.

What advice would you give to female students: I think it’s important to remember that people are more similar than they are different, so my only advice for female students is to never doubt what you can bring to a class or a job or an activity because of society’s gender biases, or any other insecurity you might hold.

What are some strategies that can help women achieve a more prominent role in their organizations: Don’t question whether or not you belong in the room. Don’t hesitate to speak up, because even if you doubt their significance, your opinions and ideas are valuable.

What keeps you motivated and driven on a daily basis: I was fortunate to have many educators who poured significant love and care into my growth throughout my public school education. Because of this, I loved school and saw the value of it – both inside and outside the classroom – from a young age. I know the impact it can have when an adult becomes invested in your life and sets high expectations for you. In my role today, I strive to be that person. I stay motivated because my students deserve to have the same excellent education that I did. They deserve the opportunity to earn a college degree, but the process of getting there can be complicated and full of obstacles for those who are the first in their family to pursue it. I enjoy being able to navigate that path with my students every day and remind them that they can make it to the finish line.

What woman most inspires you and why: One of the many reasons my mom inspires me is because she paved a unique professional career for herself. While many of her peers have been in the same field for their entire professional life, my mom never forced herself to fit the traditional mold. She has explored a variety of different jobs and career fields, from being an interior designer to a community college teacher to writing kindergarten curriculum for the state of Massachusetts to now serving as the director of an oncology center. Through all of this, she modeled for me that I can shift fields, leave a job I am not fulfilled by, and try things that are outside my comfort zone. Whenever I have students who feel like they should not go to college unless they know what they want to do afterwards, I can point to the awesome example of my mom.