Sandra McFarland, a dedicated educator at Durant High School, has made a significant impact on her students through her passion for teaching and love for math. With a career spanning various schools across Oklahoma, Alaska and Texas, Sandra has brought her expertise and enthusiasm to students from diverse backgrounds. She taught in Alaska for 10 yearsand is a retired Alaskan educator.

As a teacher of Honors Geometry, Honors Algebra II and Honors Pre-Calculus, Sandra engages with students ranging from freshmen to seniors, making mathematics an enjoyable and accessible subject for all. Reflecting on her decision to become an educator, Sandra shared, “When I decided to work on furthering my education, my mother-in-law told me I should become a teacher and teach kids to love math as much as I do.”

Sandra’s teaching philosophy is grounded in compassion and understanding, traits she admired in her own Algebra teacher, Mr. Tooley, who made a lasting impact on her. “He loved math and had a great deal of compassion and understanding for his students,” she recalled.

For Sandra, the most rewarding aspect of teaching is witnessing the “light bulb moments” when her students grasp challenging concepts. She finds joy in fielding questions that demonstrate her students’ thirst for knowledge and in fostering a relaxed and enjoyable learning environment.

Outside of the classroom, Sandra’s interests include gardening, reading and traveling to experience diverse cultures and meet people from around the world. Her commitment to fostering a positive and respectful environment is evident in the advice she imparts to her students: “three things that will get you through life: one – if it isn’t yours, don’t touch it, two – if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all, and three – treat people the way you want to be treated.”

Sandra McFarland’s unwavering dedication to her students and her innovative approach to teaching make her an asset to Durant High School. Her commitment to instilling a love for learning and her genuine care for her students’ well-being embody the spirit of an exceptional educator.