Known for her warm smile and positive energy, WCHS health teacher Tracey Sachs brings the spirit to WCHS. By creating a welcoming and judgment-free environment, Sachs is able to bring learning to a whole new level for students.
Although she had a past profession in pharmaceutical sales, Sachs was born to be a teacher. Coming back after the pandemic, she started teaching health, making this her fifth year at WCHS. Although fairly new, she has had past experience teaching at other schools and has quickly acclimated to the WCHS community.
“I taught for nine years in MCPS, [mostly] at Damascus High School where I also coached varsity cheerleading,” Sachs said. “I also taught Human Sexuality and Women’s Health at University of Maryland and Montgomery College for a few years.”
Health can be one of the most difficult, yet important topics. Sachs is able to limit some of the uncomfortable nature of health by connecting and getting to know her students on a deeper level. With these connections, health class is able to become a collaborative learning zone rather than a time where students feel forced to open up.
“I feel really comfortable in her classroom because she is very patient and respectful towards all of us,” WCHS sophomore Eshana Dua said. “She cares a lot about all of us and takes the time to talk to us and get to know us.”
One of Sachs’s biggest strengths is consistently keeping lessons and assignments exciting for students. Whether that is coming up with a new project or a worksheet for students, she is able to use these to motivate students to the finish line.
“She makes all of our assignments engaging and fun so that we can learn while also making the experience enjoyable,” Dua said.
In school, students often understand topics they learn on the surface level, but cannot give an example or relate it back to real world situations. Sachs ties in real world scenarios into her lessons in order to give students a fuller understanding of what they are learning.
“[I try to engage students by] keeping it real, talking about current events that relate to the subjects we are teaching, get them participating in the discussion and adding their own experiences and knowledge,” Sachs said.
Sachs’ lively personality is reflected into her classroom decor. Ranging from positive affirmations to health-related posters, Sachs’ room shows the calm energy that she brings into the classroom.
“I really like the decorations and color scheme in her room,” Dua said. “It really makes the room feel more warm and inviting.”
Sachs has a true passion for teaching her subject. She feels as though it is essential to teach students about their own bodies, as it is truly relevant to every person in the room.
“[My favorite part about teaching health is] learning from my students,” Sachs said. “We have such worldly students that it makes things more interesting and I learn a lot from their different living situations in different countries, their laws, rules, food choices, etc.”
