In Sara's communications class in the fall of 2015, I made a speech about my suicidal experience and the loss of my friend to suicide that happened the fall before.
I received an email from Sara the same day, asking if I was alright and that if I ever needed someone to talk to, we could meet up for coffee or something and talk. And I can't remember for sure, but I think she attached her cell phone number to that email.
She reached out to me again in person and through email. She listened to me and others as we shared our stories and passions. But she was also fair with us. She did not budge on her syllabus policies, and I respect her for that, especially because of everything else.
A year or two later, when I was in an abusive relationship, and after, she offered me to stay with her at her house. She was no longer my professor at that point. And she has a family. She was just so generous and helpful.
Through these years, we have grown a closer relationship.
We've considered each other friends for a while now. There's a mutual respect for each other and we have the same passion for helping people.
She wrote recommendation letters for me whenever I asked her to.
Sara helped me so much academically and personally. She is a great professor and I recommend her communications class to everyone.
And are her daughters are the cutest :)