By: Erik Pedersen, Content Strategy Director
Class of 2024 Spotlights
BALTIMORE – Sara Morales ’23, M’24 had two top priorities when she first began her college search: a well-regarded education program to fulfill her lifelong goal of becoming a teacher, and an opportunity to play both lacrosse and soccer.
Notre Dame of Maryland University checked both of those boxes, and Morales will walk across the stage for a second time during the 2024 Commencement Ceremony at the Baltimore Convention Center later this month after completing the School of Education’s five-year bachelor’s and master’s degree program.
Morales excelled as a two-sport athlete at Notre Dame. She was named the Colonial States Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year after helping the Gators earn a second-straight CSAC women’s lacrosse championship in 2021. Morales then added CSAC Women’s Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Year accolades the following spring; her 105 points and 98 draw controls that season were second behind only her sister, Megan Morales ’19, in program history. On the soccer field, Morales totaled 20 goals and six assists across three seasons, leading the Gators to a pair of CSAC tournament appearances.
Off the field, Morales served as president of both the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and Gators Teach, a Maryland State Education Association Aspiring Educators chapter. She earned her first full time job as an educator during the final semester of her master’s program, starting a position as a third grade teacher at St. Stephen School, a Catholic institution in Baltimore County.
Learn more about Sara’s academic and athletic experiences at NDMU below:
How did you first hear about Notre Dame, and what led you to apply here?
My sister had attended right before me, but a lot of my teachers in high school also went to Notre Dame. Hearing about their experiences, knowing that they loved their time here, and hearing specifically about Notre Dame’s really great education program played a big part in my decision to apply. I had known that I wanted to be a teacher since probably the fifth grade. I’d had my heart set on it for a long time.
What was your experience like progressing through the School of Education’s 12-month master’s program?
Those 12 months were life changing for me. I started a part time internship during my first semester as a graduate student last spring. The plan was for me to intern part time and still be able to play lacrosse for Notre Dame. Shortly after starting, however, I received an opportunity which kind of fell right into my lap. Somebody reached out asking me to be a long term fourth grade substitute teacher in a Baltimore County school.
Taking that position would mean that I wasn’t going to be able to play lacrosse anymore – I had played since I was four years old – but I went with it. It was heartbreaking at the time, but it also set me on a path where I was able to gain a lot of experience in a classroom setting. It led to me becoming a third grade lead teacher in the fall at St. Stephen. This is my dream school, so it’s really awesome that I was able to get on a path which led me here. Between taking a bunch of core education classes and gaining a lot of experience in those 12 months, it was a really exciting whirlwind. I learned a ton.
Do you feel like your education professors set you up for success after graduation?
My professors were amazing in my master’s classes. They provided so many useful things – I’m always referring back to what my professors taught me. The classes were focused on preparing for the future, learning things that we could use once we become teachers. We would plan a lot of lessons, and I’ve used several of those lessons that I planned in college in my own classroom.
The classes involved a lot of doing – we weren’t just reading and writing. We were actively creating lesson plans and activities for students. It was really hands-on, even though we were learning in an asynchronous format most of the time.
How did your time as a student-athlete impact your overall NDMU experience?
When I was deciding on where to go to college, one of my top priorities was finding a place where I could play both soccer and lacrosse. I’m really grateful that I was able to do that at Notre Dame. My favorite Notre Dame memories are the bus rides with my teammates, being on the field with them, and spending my downtime with them. They really made the experience fun for me. Even though we may not have always had the best records, I was always having a great time at Notre Dame because I was playing sports that I love with my best friends.
Is there a top athletics memory that stands out to you?
The 2021 lacrosse championship run was a lot of fun. Our team really dominated that season. Some pictures from that championship popped up on my Facebook feed recently, and it was exciting to reminisce.
What is the first thing you think of when you think about Notre Dame?
When I think of Notre Dame, I think of my professors. No matter what class I had, my professors were amazing. They really helped me grow as both a student and a teacher. I owe everything to my professors. I’ve always had a love of learning, but for them to continue that love in college, that’s something I will never forget.
Is there any message that you’d like to give to NDMU students who are still working their way through college?
Don’t be afraid to take opportunities as they present themselves, even if it might change your life completely. Taking that jump to become a long term substitute last spring – which meant not playing my last season of lacrosse – was a crazy change for me and completely unexpected. It set me up, though, for my current role, and I couldn’t be happier where I am right now. I plan on staying at St. Stephen for a long time.
Established in 1895, Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU) is a private, Catholic institution in Baltimore, Maryland, with the mission to educate leaders to transform the world. Notre Dame has been named one of the best "Regional Universities North" by U.S. News & World Report.
