JESSICA SABO
May 2, 2015
Jen's Editing Note: If you want to get really motivated... this is the feature to bookmark.
Jessica "Jessie" Sabo is one of those people who sets her mind to a goal and knocks it out of the park every time. From running to biking, the woman is a warrior. She's also an involved mom and wife. And... she loves her students at Odyssey Institute for Advanced and International Studies. Jessie's husband, Erick, commercial fishes each summer in Dillingham, Alaska for Salmon. Jessie and her two children enjoy going up and spending time with him on the boat. Truly a unique family. I hope you enjoy their story as much as I do! |
Q. Tell me about yourself. Where are you from and how did you move to Estrella?
A. We moved to Arizona in June of 2010 from Washington State. Both my husband and I grew up in Washington, (Tacoma and Bellevue areas). Erick was a Staff Attorney for the Federal Government in Union Station in Tacoma and when his judge retired we decided we wanted to escape the rain. After exploring almost every corner of Arizona we settled in Estrella Mountain Ranch as it had the small town community feel that we were looking for, along with access to nature, outdoor activities, and great schools for our kids.
Q. You have two beautiful children. What do you enjoy doing most with your kids?
A. Ava (9) and Anders (10) both attend Westar Elementary School. Both are active in Estrella Youth Sports playing soccer, basketball and baseball. My husband and I enjoy coaching and supporting our kids with their athletics as well as participating in 5k running events, the kids triathlon every year, and mountain biking. As a family we enjoy running, biking and swimming. The kids triathlon in our community is a MUST do each year for the Sabo kiddos. Music also plays a role in our family. From singing to playing the guitar and clarinet, we love to share our love of music with our kids.
Q. What are your interests? Which do you enjoy the most?
A. I have always been a runner as I ran from 4th grade through high school and college at the University of Washington. As I’ve gotten older, I have transitioned from sprints to longer distances; participating in ½ marathons, marathons and over 24 different Ragnar events throughout the West Coast (2 day; 200 mile running relay events both road races and trail runs). Within the last 3 years our family has succumbed to a new addiction; Mountain Biking! The fact that we live in such a wonderful community that supports healthy living and active lifestyles, has allowed us to enjoy the beautiful community trails built by our very own residents, as well as Estrella Regional Park, right in our own backyard.
Q. Tell me about how you pair up fitness with your travels.
A. Most of the traveling that I have done recently has been associated with my fitness or with my job. I have traveled back to Washington State, Napa CA, San Diego CA, Las Vegas, Zion, and Vail Lake to participate in different Ragnar Races each year. Through these events I have met wonderful people who share my passion for fitness and fun.
I also have had the pleasure of traveling to Costa Rica every year with my 9th grade scholars at Odyssey Institute for Advanced and International Studies. I have been the High School Biology teacher at OI for the last 3 years. Being an IB school, we focus on International Mindedness. When we travel to Costa Rica, we teach the scholars about how the cultures differ between the US and Costa Rica. The students are immersed in the Spanish language and get to see how Latin America Spanish differs from the Spanish they learn in the classroom, and we also teach them about Biodiversity and Conservation within the rainforests.
A. We moved to Arizona in June of 2010 from Washington State. Both my husband and I grew up in Washington, (Tacoma and Bellevue areas). Erick was a Staff Attorney for the Federal Government in Union Station in Tacoma and when his judge retired we decided we wanted to escape the rain. After exploring almost every corner of Arizona we settled in Estrella Mountain Ranch as it had the small town community feel that we were looking for, along with access to nature, outdoor activities, and great schools for our kids.
Q. You have two beautiful children. What do you enjoy doing most with your kids?
A. Ava (9) and Anders (10) both attend Westar Elementary School. Both are active in Estrella Youth Sports playing soccer, basketball and baseball. My husband and I enjoy coaching and supporting our kids with their athletics as well as participating in 5k running events, the kids triathlon every year, and mountain biking. As a family we enjoy running, biking and swimming. The kids triathlon in our community is a MUST do each year for the Sabo kiddos. Music also plays a role in our family. From singing to playing the guitar and clarinet, we love to share our love of music with our kids.
Q. What are your interests? Which do you enjoy the most?
A. I have always been a runner as I ran from 4th grade through high school and college at the University of Washington. As I’ve gotten older, I have transitioned from sprints to longer distances; participating in ½ marathons, marathons and over 24 different Ragnar events throughout the West Coast (2 day; 200 mile running relay events both road races and trail runs). Within the last 3 years our family has succumbed to a new addiction; Mountain Biking! The fact that we live in such a wonderful community that supports healthy living and active lifestyles, has allowed us to enjoy the beautiful community trails built by our very own residents, as well as Estrella Regional Park, right in our own backyard.
Q. Tell me about how you pair up fitness with your travels.
A. Most of the traveling that I have done recently has been associated with my fitness or with my job. I have traveled back to Washington State, Napa CA, San Diego CA, Las Vegas, Zion, and Vail Lake to participate in different Ragnar Races each year. Through these events I have met wonderful people who share my passion for fitness and fun.
I also have had the pleasure of traveling to Costa Rica every year with my 9th grade scholars at Odyssey Institute for Advanced and International Studies. I have been the High School Biology teacher at OI for the last 3 years. Being an IB school, we focus on International Mindedness. When we travel to Costa Rica, we teach the scholars about how the cultures differ between the US and Costa Rica. The students are immersed in the Spanish language and get to see how Latin America Spanish differs from the Spanish they learn in the classroom, and we also teach them about Biodiversity and Conservation within the rainforests.
Q. What do you love about your work?
A. I have taught Biology in the classroom for about 13 years now. When OI opened their new high school, I was able to get in with the first class of freshmen and help build the science department at the school. Now, not only do I teach the Honors 9th grade Biology classes, but I have added the Diploma Program Environmental Systems and Societies class (focuses on sustainable use of resources and conservation) as well as the Diploma Program 2 year Biology course for Juniors and Seniors. I love not only the subjects that I teach, but the community of teachers that I work with as well as the engaged students that enter my classroom every day. Their enthusiasm for science drives my enthusiasm in the classroom every day. Hands on learning and teaching a topic I love keeps me going back every day.
A. I have taught Biology in the classroom for about 13 years now. When OI opened their new high school, I was able to get in with the first class of freshmen and help build the science department at the school. Now, not only do I teach the Honors 9th grade Biology classes, but I have added the Diploma Program Environmental Systems and Societies class (focuses on sustainable use of resources and conservation) as well as the Diploma Program 2 year Biology course for Juniors and Seniors. I love not only the subjects that I teach, but the community of teachers that I work with as well as the engaged students that enter my classroom every day. Their enthusiasm for science drives my enthusiasm in the classroom every day. Hands on learning and teaching a topic I love keeps me going back every day.