Throughout her studies and professional work, Sarah Monette has consistently sought opportunities to support and empower young people.
As a teacher and coach, she has fostered welcoming learning environments where students feel valued, respected, and encouraged to participate. Her involvement in extracurricular and community-building activities, including coaching a junior high girls’ basketball team, reflects her dedication to mentorship and student well-being beyond the classroom.
Through her commitment to lifelong learning, inclusion, community, and personal growth, Sarah exemplifies the values of MSVU; she is an outstanding representative of her graduating class.
Sarah will deliver her valedictory address during the fall 2026 convocation on Sunday, October 18 at 2 p.m. You can watch the ceremony via MSVU’s Facebook and YouTube pages. We asked Sarah to tell us more about her time at MSVU and what’s next for her. Read on to learn more about Sarah.
Hometown: Fall River, N.S
Current city/town: Dartmouth, N.S
Degree being awarded: Master of Education in Curriculum Studies
Previous education completed: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education
Q. What/who is your most memorable class, professor, project or learning activity? Why?
One of my most memorable learning experiences throughout my academic career was taking Musical Traditions and Education with Dr. Ashwani Kumar. As part of our final project, we participated in a musical ensemble. We spent weeks practicing, learning songs and melodies that were new to many of us, often in an unfamiliar language. What stood out most was the way my classmates supported and encouraged one another, especially when we stepped outside our comfort zones. This course changed how I view music and opened my eyes to how the study of musical traditions can be embedded in decolonial practices. It was a reminder that learning is not just about what we accomplish individually, but what we can accomplish together.
Q. What kept you motivated during challenging moments?
Spending time with the people I love, especially my family, my partner, and my dog, helped keep me motivated during challenging moments. Sometimes, I just needed to step away, take a break, and enjoy time with them. Giving myself that time helped me reset, shift my focus, and come back feeling refreshed. I learned that taking a break when you need one is just as important as pushing yourself to keep going.
Q. What value or lesson from your time at MSVU will you carry forward?
One of the biggest lessons I will take away from my time at MSVU is how important relationships are to learning. When people feel supported and included, they will be more comfortable stepping outside their comfort zone. As an educator, I want to create that same sense of belonging in my own classroom, where students feel comfortable being themselves and know that their perspectives matter. My time at MSVU reminded me that some of the most meaningful learning comes not just from what we are taught, but from the people we learn alongside.
Q. Do you have any advice for students just starting out?
Life is not a race, and there is no set timeline you need to follow by a certain age. Give yourself permission to grow at your own pace and most importantly, try new things. Take advantage of the people and opportunities around you, and remember that you do not have to have everything figured out to be moving forward.
Q. What’s next for you?
I will be starting my Master of Education in Literacy Education in January 2027. I am looking forward to continuing to learn, gaining more classroom experience, and finding new ways to support students in their literacy development. In the future, I would love to become a literacy coach or work in curriculum development, helping create meaningful and inclusive learning experiences for students.
Q. What word best describes your time at MSVU—and why?
Growth. My time at MSVU has pushed me to think differently, challenge my own perspectives, and grow both personally and professionally. I’ve learned so much from my professors and classmates, and I’ve taken away lessons that extend far beyond the classroom. I feel that I’ve grown not only as an educator, but also in my understanding of the kind of educator I want to be.
Q. If your MSVU experience had a soundtrack, what song would for sure be on it?
“Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield. It captures the feeling that there is always room to grow, change direction, and discover what comes next. My time at MSVU has been an important part of my journey, but it has also reminded me that there is still so much to learn and look forward to. I am leaving with a clearer sense of who I want to be as an educator, while knowing that the next chapter is still unwritten.