“A fellowship program trains aspiring professionals for the careers they seek. The Surge movement goes beyond, seeking to change the face of leadership in education. Rather than simply being a program where individuals can work on their personal professional goals, the Surge Fellowship is creating a network where people of color can learn together, connect with one another, and go into the world of education leadership with a mindset focused on equity and diversity. I care deeply about the well-being and future of my community and am eager to apply my diverse background in education, family and teacher engagement, and non-profit administration to impact early education on a macro-level. The Surge Fellowship will provide the peer support, guidance, and education necessary to be effective in a landscape in which few leaders reflect the populations they serve.
Sara Rizik-Baer believes in the power of children’s books to foster critical thinking and the life-long pursuit of knowledge. Her holistic view of the urban education landscape is informed by the multiple roles she has assumed in the field as a family literacy specialist, literacy coach, and bilingual teacher. Sara holds a Master’s of Language and Literacy from Harvard University and a BA in Comparative Literature and Spanish from Oberlin College.