CREA chooses 2024 Friend of Education

By Caroline Rosacker

Clayton County Emergency Management Coordinator Sarah Moser, of Guttenberg was selected as the 2024 Clayton Ridge Education Association (CREA) Friend of Education. 

Sarah will be honored at the CREA Friend of Education Reception during Education Week on Wednesday, Nov. 20, in the Guttenberg Campus cafeteria at 3:15 p.m. 

The Friend of Education is one way CREA honors those in the community who give back to local schools. 

Sarah was chosen because she provides outstanding support for the school through her role with Clayton County Emergency Management. Sarah is an active member of the school safety team, helping develop and implement plans to keep students and staff safe. She has been instrumental in organizing safety drills and events like the mock accident and reunification drill. Sarah is always willing to offer support, whether assisting with safety initiatives or helping in classrooms. Sarah also serves as a parent member on SIAC.

"I am honored to be chosen as the CREA Friend of Education," she commented. "So many individuals, such as Brian Lawrence, who came before me laid out an excellent foundation for many of the safety programs that I contribute to." 

Sarah, who has a background in corrections and law enforcement, enjoys working with the students on important safety topics. "It is a skill set they can use as they move forward in life," she told The Press. 

She is appreciative of her collaboration with Keystone Area Education as well. "I don't have an education background, so I depend on Keystone to help me educate the students at a level they can understand," Sarah explained. "We have to meet all the students needs and some may come from backgrounds that need extra consideration."   

Sarah enjoys educating fifth grade students about weather safety and weather awareness. "They are starting to be home alone at that age and are curious about how to stay safe," she said. 

Building resilience

Disaster preparedness is at the heart of Sarah's profession and includes building resilience in communities so they can quickly build back after a loss. 

Sarah works closely with the Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinics Family Resource Center.  "The Resource Center is an amazing place," she said with admiration. "They provide so many services that compliment programs I am implementing to raise the level of safety awareness in Clayton County." 

She stressed the importance of making sure first responders are taking care of themselves mentally and physically so they can help others during a tragedy. "Repeated exposure to trauma can take its toll," she noted. "They often don't realize because it is a common occurrence in their line of work."  

Sarah, and her husband, Clayton County Sheriff Deputy Matt Moser, are grateful for the Clayton Ridge School District. "We enjoy that our children Gabi and Greyson are in a small school district where they receive the attention every child deserves," she said with gratitude. "The teachers go above and beyond and really get to know their students and their extended families."  

Many of the topics Sarah educates the students on are serious, but she is grateful for the opportunity to be an integral part in keeping students and their families' safe. 

"I have a terrific amount of respect for the teachers and staff. This is a huge honor," she concluded.