Meet Sarah Jackson

Get to know BYU-Pathway Worldwide's Curriculum Writing Specialist

BY: J.A. Bañez

Sarah and her husband, Jon

Sarah Jackson recently accepted the position as BYU-Pathway Worldwide’s curriculum writing specialist. She was born and raised in Southern California in the Riverside area. She currently resides in Kaysville, Utah, with her husband, Jon, and their four children.

While raising her children, Sarah earned her bachelor’s degree in history and English from BYU-Idaho and her master’s degree in English with an emphasis in rhetoric and composition from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Going to school and taking care of a family at the same time was not an easy task, but Sarah’s experience as a mother in school has helped her empathize with many PathwayConnect students.

“I’ve completed most of my education and have done everything with my kids with me,” Sarah said. “In a lot of ways, I feel that I can identify with the PathwayConnect students. Most of them are [in school] while either working or raising a family, and I feel like I have either been working, going to school, raising a family, or doing them all at the same time.”

Sarah earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees while raising her four children.

While teaching at BYU-Idaho, both on-campus and online, Sarah developed a special connection with her students. This connection helped her encourage them to not give up on their education.

Sarah graduating with her master’s degree from Cal Poly

“When they say, ‘It’s so hard, I want to quit,’ you can just whip out a personal experience that you had and say, ‘I remember when I felt that way, but don’t [quit]. It’s so worth it.’”

Sarah may not have one-on-one time with students anymore, but as she leads the curriculum design for some of BYU-Pathway’s academic courses, she keeps in mind the difficulties that students may experience while completing PathwayConnect. She always strives to communicate through the curriculum President Gilbert’s messages of having faith in Jesus Christ and never giving up.

Sarah’s life motto is to be where she’s supposed to be when she’s supposed to be there, and to do the best she can with what she has. She also strives to write the curriculum in such a way that students will have the opportunity to feel the Spirit as they take their courses.

Sarah has many hobbies, which include baking and cooking. In fact, one of her favorite pastimes is reading cookbooks. Other hobbies are playing the piano and singing. She is currently teaching herself how to play guitar and ukulele. Lastly, she likes doing outdoor activities with her husband and kids.

“The goal that I have always had my entire life is to be where I’m supposed to be when I’m supposed to be there, and to do the best I can with what I have.”