Esmeralda, a seventh-grade scholar at Brilla College Prep Middle School, has spent the whole year developing English language skills with Ms. Maggie Sayers, one of Cohort 11’s Seton Teaching Fellows. With the help of Ms. Sayers, who specializes in teaching students who speak Spanish as a first language, Esmeralda wrote her entire Student Council speech in English. To both their excitement, she won the election!
Esmeralda’s might be one of the speeches Ms. Sayers was most proud to help write, but it certainly wasn’t her first.
Maggie Sayers came to New York after working in communications in Washington, D.C. as a press secretary for a Nebraska congressman. Prior to that, she grew up in Denver and studied Political Science & Communications at Colorado State University. After graduating in 2021, she had only the weekend to transition from college life to work on Capitol Hill. As a press secretary, Maggie worked on writing projects, social media, and research.
After about three years on Capitol Hill, Maggie was ready to move on to something new. While she loved D.C. and went into politics to make a difference, she felt restless.
Maggie soon realized why: she wanted to work with people, not just words.
Education had always been on her radar, but it wasn’t until a providential dinner party with the Servidoras that she heard about Seton Teaching Fellows. There, she met a Seton Teaching Fellow who talked about how much she loved the program and especially the children she was working with in The Bronx. Her testimony inspired Maggie, and the STF program seemed to fit her desires. With no previous education experience, Maggie recognized that Seton Teaching Fellows provided the perfect launchpad into teaching.
Seton also has a unique emphasis on community life and faith formation that Maggie desired. After a spring spent serving as a lay missionary with the Servidoras in Suriname, Maggie applied to be an STF in June and moved to New York about a month later.
Since arriving, the program has rewarded her career switch. Maggie describes her favorite part of the transition: “I think the biggest thing is getting to be with the children all day and see their joy. It’s instantly gratifying, and there’s also the long-term work of getting the kids to heaven. Part of that you won’t see, but it’s beautiful to see the little victories, like seeing them praying in church and bringing them so God can look upon his beloved children.”
The rewards extend beyond the classroom, too. Having lived alone for some of her time in D.C., Maggie has found comfort and beauty in community life. She describes the women in her community as “also striving to be saints and pursuing holiness—they’re good examples who call you higher and are a lot of fun!”
Maggie also notes how lovely it is to come home when someone has made dinner for you, showing that they care about you.
The encouraging examples of good friends are essential, as the year of service comes with its challenges. Being a teacher has forced Maggie to confront herself and push towards virtue. The most surprising aspects of the program have been the internal discoveries.
“You think, ‘Oh, I’m patient,’ and have these ideas about yourself,” says Maggie. “But then on those long days when you need to get to Mass at 7 p.m., you really have to dig deep and challenge yourself to keep giving.”
Maggie’s “yes” to Seton Teaching Fellows has given her priceless gifts: from the joy of her students, like Esmerelda, to the love of her community. As Maggie’s story shows, those who give also receive in abundance.
