Meet Sara Krauss, director of Sherman School Partnerships in the George and Betsy Sherman Center. Before coming to UMBC in 2021, Sara served in the Baltimore City Public Schools as a classroom teacher, math lead, and an Assistant Principal. She is a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) and also an adjunct professor for teacher preparation programs. Sara is an advocate for educational equity, has a love for developing budding and experienced educators, and aspires to convert everyone she meets into a lover of math. Take it away, Sara!

Q: What is your WHY? What brought you to UMBC?

A: Prior to UMBC, I was an educator and school administrator in Baltimore City Public Schools. I LOVE teaching, I LOVE the energy of a school building and interacting daily with families. However, after 15 years, I was ready to stretch myself in new ways and ready to make a greater impact.

Coming to UMBC and the Sherman Center, I was able to do all the things I loved in one job. I am an adjunct professor, I work in schools by providing academic programs in areas that I love (math and early childhood), and I support new teachers. Through my position, I have found my home living in the K-12 and higher education world, supporting communities and helping to bridge connections with UMBC and the Baltimore community.

Q: Where have you found support in the UMBC community?

A: My team at the Sherman Center has supported my why since day one. It’s so special to work among colleagues who have similar whys, but bring different experiences. I feel like we are accepting of each other every day, while we also push each other to be better and encourage each other to think about new ways of approaching the work.

Q: What do you love most about working in the Sherman Center?

A: My colleagues in the Sherman Center are stellar. As a team, we get to elevate students, families, and communities in the greater Baltimore area. I love building relationships with other people and organizations and finding ways to make connections to help strengthen the greater Baltimore ecosystem.

Last year, I had the opportunity to travel to Bulgaria for the International Step by Step Association (ISSA) conference, focused on improving early childhood education and development. I presented on “Why Universities Matter in Communities.” That experience was amazing to share the incredible work that UMBC is doing.

Pictured right: Krauss standing by a digital display announcing her presentation at the 2024 ISSA Conference in Bulgaria, “Why Universities Matter in Communities.”

Q: What would you tell someone who is considering a career at UMBC?

A: UMBC is one of the most diverse places I have ever worked, and what I love specifically about UMBC is that they encourage diversity, new ideas, and making new connections in everything they do.

Learn more about the George and Betsy Sherman Center

Established by a visionary gift to UMBC from George and Betsy Sherman, the George and Betsy Sherman Center is committed to excellent urban schools that transform lives in the communities they serve.

We believe that in every community, public schools have an extraordinary and unique capacity to offer opportunity and change lives. Within each school, committed teachers are the most important factor in whether the transformational power of education becomes real for students and families. Surrounding each school, community and family partners are essential for children to thrive, particularly in a child’s formative early years.

What we do:

• Support excellent teaching with an emphasis on STEM and Early Childhood;
• Build deep and transformative educational partnerships with schools and communities;
• Expand community and school capacity to provide strong early childhood experiences;
• Support pathways connecting students in partner communities with educational opportunities at UMBC;
• Apply engaged research to guide and assess our work.

Learn more about the George and Betsy Sherman Center.

* * * * *

UMBC’s greatest strength is its people. When people meet Retrievers and hear about the passion they bring, the relationships they create, the ways they support each other, and the commitment they have to inclusive excellence, they truly get a sense of our community. That’s what “Meet a Retriever” is all about.

Learn more about how UMBC can help you achieve your goals.

Meet Corey Carter ’08, M.A.T. ’10, an award-winning educator, lifelong learner, and the director of the Sherman Scholars Program in the George and Betsy Sherman Center. He takes pride in meeting student needs through servant leadership and holistic mentorship that centers on the needs of scholars as developing teachers. Corey’s goals include diversifying the teaching profession, particularly increasing the representation of highly-skilled Black male educators. Outside of his work supporting culturally responsive educators, Corey loves exploring his interests in hip hop, technology, and science. Take it away, Corey! 

Q: What is your WHY? What brought you to UMBC?

A: My family was coming home one day, and my dad stopped the car to introduce us all to the new neighbor. When I told LaMont Toliver that I was a high school junior and wanted to major in biology, he told me all about the Meyerhoff Scholars Program at UMBC. I knew I had to apply and was excited about the chance to continue exploring my passion for science amongst so many other brilliant young people. During selection weekend, my parents shared the table with another couple whose daughter was also applying to the program. That night, I met my future wife and best friend, Brittney Carter ’07, psychology.

Pictured right: Corey and Brittney Carter attending the wedding of one of their college friends. The couple has been married for 15 years and have three kids.

Q: Where have you found support in the UMBC community?

A: The support at UMBC has significance for me because it was also a place of consequential challenges. My academic and pre-professional identity was formed, broken down, and reformed over the years as I learned more of my truths. When I first began to accept that I might have a different career calling than a Ph.D. in biology research, it wasn’t without signs. The support I received from mentors, advisors, and tutoring centers helped me get out of the shame and disillusionment. Connecting again with the community in different aspects of my identity (Gospel choir, Meyerhoff Scholars, Sherman Scholars) was the key to me reclaiming my story and writing the next chapters of my life.

Q: Who, in particular, has supported you throughout your journey?

It’s hard to name just one person. I’m fortunate to have known the late Mr. Toliver, as he was my bridge to UMBC and then to the Sherman Scholars Program, which led to my current career. Mr Toliver’s influence on Rehana Shafi, who would serve as a mentor and support for me through teacher preparation, was an anchoring force of courageous truth and unwavering belief in potential. More recently, I’ve stayed connected to Mr. Toliver’s legacy through another pillar, cut from the same cloth, Sunji Jangha, M.P.P ’18, Ph.D. ’25.

Q: What do you love most about the Sherman Scholars program?

A: I’ve been involved with the Sherman Program since 2007. I love that we stand for centering students as whole people, that we live the values of social justice through education, and that we do this work with joy, love, and passion.

Q: What part of your job do you enjoy the most

A: I love seeing our Sherman Scholars in the classroom and talking with them about teaching. Connecting with brilliant, passionate educators is so fulfilling because I am always stretched by the conversations. In this job, I’ve continued to grow intellectually, spiritually, and emotionally. I’m grateful for the tears, the laughter, and the righteous anger—it’s all so valuable to me.

Q: What would you tell someone who is considering a career at UMBC?

A: UMBC is a special place. If you align with the mission and values, I have no doubt there is good work and community for you here!

Learn more about the George and Betsy Sherman Center

Established by a visionary gift to UMBC from George and Betsy Sherman, the George and Betsy Sherman Center is committed to excellent urban schools that transform lives in the communities they serve.

We believe that in every community, public schools have an extraordinary and unique capacity to offer opportunity and change lives. Within each school, committed teachers are the most important factor in whether the transformational power of education becomes real for students and families. Surrounding each school, community and family partners are essential for children to thrive, particularly in a child’s formative early years.

What we do:

• Support excellent teaching with an emphasis on STEM and Early Childhood;
• Build deep and transformative educational partnerships with schools and communities;
• Expand community and school capacity to provide strong early childhood experiences;
• Support pathways connecting students in partner communities with educational opportunities at UMBC;
• Apply engaged research to guide and assess our work.

Learn more about the George and Betsy Sherman Center.