Sarah Bodle knew from a very young age what she wanted to be when she grew up.

“I have known that I would one day be a teacher since I was in the third grade,” Bodle says. “Both of my parents were educators and influenced my decision to become a teacher at a very early age.”

Bodle says she developed her love for educating at an early age, after her parents — both educators themselves — opened a preschool when she was young.

“I kind of grew up in that preschool, then later, I would go there after school and I always liked to help them out,” Bodle says. “They involved me in their jobs and that made me want to do it.”

Bodle is in her fourth year as a first grade teacher at Robertsdale Elementary School and 10th year teaching overall.

Before she started teaching in Robertsdale, Bodle taught first and third grade resources for one semester and five years of fourth grade at Loxley Elementary.

Bodle says many people may not realize how much work goes into being a teacher.

“A lot of people might think it’s an 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. job,” Bodle says. “I’m always in before 8 a.m., and I never leave at 3 p.m. And I may not have to be here at a certain time every day during the summer, but it takes a lot of work to get ready for the next class and the next school year.”

Despite the long days in the classroom and months of planning, Bodle says she has a great love for her work.

“I love watching the students change, grow and mature throughout the school year,” Bodle says. “But most of all, I love the happiness that is within my classroom. Teaching is very difficult this day and time; however, it is the most rewarding job that anyone could ever have.”

Already this school year, Bodle says she has taught two of her favorite annual lessons; the first focuses on the human body and a second, is called Christmas around the World.

“The kids are really intrigued by that two week lesson, and so I really enjoy doing that,” Bodle says. “All seven of the first grade teachers teach the students about how Christmas is celebrated in a different country.”

When she’s not teaching at Robertsdale Elementary School, Bodle says she enjoys spending time with her husband Josh, their two children, as well as her extended family and friends.

TEACHER: Sarah Bodle

SCHOOL: Robertsdale Elementary School

SUBJECTS TAUGHT: First grade

SOMETHING UNUSUAL ABOUT YOURSELF: I have known that I would one day be a teacher since I was in the third grade.