Embracing the Unwritten Future

Our featured writer this August, Sara Aiello, is in her 14th year as an educator. She began her career as a Spanish teacher before serving as a mentor to new world language teachers, a world languages specialist, and now as the Assistant Supervisor of World Languages for a local school district. Sara lives in Lutherville with her husband, who also works in education, their three children, and their dog.

I am so proud to do this special Q+A with Sara, to take a deeper dive into her story and professional strategy. Enjoy our conversation below, and be sure to check out her full feature in this month's issue of En Root!

This month's theme is all about the ever-evolving path of education. Tell us how this theme has played a role in your personal or professional life.

There have been times in my career when I've felt stagnant or become complacent. Whenever that happens, I try to find opportunities that challenge me and help me continue growing as an educator. Whether it's learning a new skill, taking on a different role, or presenting at a conference, I've found that stepping outside my comfort zone has led to some of my greatest professional growth.

At OutGrowth, we believe in designing the space and time to reimagine the path forward. How do you think that committing to a life of ongoing shifting and evolving can help us to navigate our lives and careers, no matter what the industry?

Change is inevitable, and as much as I sometimes wish I could stay in the same place, I've learned that growth requires change. Committing to the idea that we will continue to evolve helps us navigate transitions with more confidence. Even when change is difficult, there's hopefully something to learn from the experience, and those lessons often have the potential to prepare us for whatever comes next.

What is one hard lesson you learned in this past year that contributed to your growth?

This past spring, I took on a little too much, and the stress got the better of me. I had to remind myself to slow down and accept that it's impossible to be there for everyone every time you're needed. Sometimes there will be things you simply can't do or moments when you can't show up, and that's okay. That lesson has helped me become more intentional about prioritizing what matters most.

What is one competency or skill you hope to develop in 2026?

I'm always setting goals for myself, so aside from saying yes to more professional opportunities, one of my goals for 2026 is to become more direct and confident in the workplace. I have a tendency to second-guess myself, and I want to do a better job of honoring the knowledge and experience I've gained throughout my career. Personally, I also want to be more present when spending time with family and friends, and I hope to continue learning Italian.

What inspires you?

I'm inspired by different things every day. It could be a student's speech at an award ceremony, one of my children's accomplishments, or a colleague's amazing work. I've learned that inspiration often shows up when you need it most, so I try to keep an open mind and pay attention to the small moments that remind me why I love what I do.

At OutGrowth, we believe in preparing the next generation of leaders. What is one resource you'd recommend to those looking to carve out the time for growth in the next year?

While there are countless great books, podcasts, and articles, I think one of the most valuable resources is intentional self-reflection. If you're looking to carve out time for growth in the next year, start by identifying your goals and thinking about what you want to achieve. Whether that's during a walk, through journaling, or by writing down your goals, taking time to reflect can help you move forward.

What's next? What are you excited about in the coming year?

I'm excited to continue the curriculum projects we've been developing over the past few years and see the impact they have on students and teachers. I'm also looking forward to continuing to inspire students to connect with other cultures through language learning.