Posted November 22, 2021 – writtten by Austin Nagelhout, SOE Graduate Assistant
“Because of Buffalo State, I am the professional I am today, and will be the leader I want to be tomorrow.”
Sara Qureshi heard about the Educational Leadership program from her colleagues, and their glowing reviews made the decision to enroll an easy one.
She worked as a high school art teacher for eight years, but Qureshi was interested in pursuing a leadership role so she could collaborate with passionate educators. “Connecting with students, families, and professionals for the purpose of improving education is essential work, and it has allowed me to be creative and impactful in ways that my younger self had dreamed of doing.”
As an undergraduate at Buffalo State, Qureshi served as President of the Art Education Student Association. This experience is part of why she wanted to become an administrator—she loved working with a group of motivated young women that she relied upon. Even now, Qureshi remains involved on campus and has been a guest speaker at Student Teaching Orientation. She loves to give back to the learning community that provided her so many opportunities, particularly the network of colleagues that she still reaches out to for advice and feedback.
Qureshi said the courses at Buffalo State prepared her for all aspects of working as a school administrator. “The career is so broad in terms of what we need to know and what skills are required, so having taken a wide scope of courses—from Administration of Special Education Programs to Public School Law—is integral to being prepared as a future school leader.”
Her advice to prospective teachers and administrators? Always continue to learn. “Just continue to be reflective, self-aware, and always relate your actions as a teacher to your vision for education.”
Qureshi, a Buffalo native, currently works as District Instructional Data Coordinator for the Lockport City School District. In her new position, she collects data to help the district move forward while taking into account the best interests of the community.
