Sarah Day Dayon is committed to uplifting and sustaining Women of Color and historically minoritized people in education. As a Filipina-American high school history teacher, Sarah Day worked to research diverse texts and develop more culturally responsive lessons. Over time, the work took a toll on her, and she watched as her Women of Color colleagues left their classrooms due to lack of support and experiences of racism and sexism.

Now, Sarah Day is a PhD candidate in educational studies at UM-Ann Arbor and conducting research to better understand the experiences and navigational strategies of veteran Teachers of Color. Her dissertation examines issues in Teacher of Color retention—where the well-being of Women of Color is a central component—and explores what it takes for veteran Teachers of Color to stay in schools and what supports their well-being and work. Sarah Day’s dissertation chair remarks that her research “has tremendous potential to impact educational institutions, the professional lives of female Teachers of Color, and the schooling experiences of the children they serve.” Ultimately, Sarah Day hopes this research will contribute to more sustainable and equitable educational systems.

During her time at U-M, Sarah Day has also served as a co-lead of Women of Color in the Academy, organizing writing retreats and special events, and networking and supporting countless women in persisting with their graduate work. A “committed, thoughtful, and incisive” researcher and community member, Sarah Day consistently works to advance the professional lives of Women of Color.

CEW+ applauds Sarah Day’s impactful scholarship and names her a Riecker Graduate Student Research Fellow.