Class of 1995

My name is Sadie Kahn-Greene. I started at The Phoenix School in kindergarten in 1985 and graduated from 8th grade with the class of 1995. In recent performance reviews as the Director of Religious Education for a Unitarian Universalist church, I have been recognized from my leadership, curriculum writing and performance skills. I attribute theses skills to my formative years at The Phoenix School.

I started at The Phoenix School as a nervous and often tearful kindergartner, but I looked up to my big partners and longed to be able to be an amazing artist, singer, and leader like they were. I remember the first day I had the opportunity to be a big partner. I was in 4th grade. We were exploring the Science Museum in Boston and ended the day with a show at the Omni Theater. I was one year older than Mark, my first younger partner on a school field trip. I knew this was a big responsibly and I was proud that I was the big kid. I didn’t realize how petrifying it would be to sit in the steep stadium seating with giant things careening around on the screen, not to mention the booming speakers. Mark was a good sport and sat with me on the floor as we cowered under our seats. Years later, Mark reminded me that he had also been really scared so sitting on the floor was a good place for him to be too.

After a few more opportunities of growing into the role of a big partner at Phoenix, I found I really loved being a leader and planning and leading after school courses. I’d work on creative and engaging activities for younger students to learn about topics ranging from dairy cows* to stamp collecting. I am grateful for those early experiences with lesson planning and teaching with younger children—I was able to see how much I enjoy it.

After The Phoenix School, I attended Salem High School. Even though I thought the white cinderblock walls lacked the colorful personality of the Phoenix environment that I had grown accustomed to, I worked hard and graduated near the top of my class. I’d put energy into projects with the inspiration and work ethic from my Phoenix years. For a group presentation on African Music for a world history class, I led everyone in the dance to the Pata Pata by Miriam Makeba that Sarah Smith had taught us at Phoenix.

I went on to attend Wesleyan University and graduate with a degree in Theater supplemented by a semester in Ghana studying arts and culture with the School for International Training. I traveled around the country with others students, staying with host families and in hostels. In true Phoenix fashion, the world was my classroom.

After college, I found my dream job in Unitarian Universalist ministry and education. This is the work that I have felt called to do since I was a senior in high school. My job requires creativity and vision, leadership and dedication, as well as the ability to work with adults and children of all ages. I am grateful for The Phoenix School for helping me to build the necessary skills that I still use today.

I value my Phoenix experiences and that is why I continue to support the school in the hope that today’s children will have the same opportunity to join the uniquely empowering community found within a Phoenix education that I did.

* To teach her after-school kids how to milk a cow, Sadie filled a rubber glove with milk, poked a hole in one finger, and let them ‘milk the cow!’

Sadie has recently been elected to the Board of Trustees of The Phoenix School. She will be working with Kyle Wilson on building a stronger alumnae/i community.