Hello!

My name is Sarah Longo and I am a first year student in the College of Education and Human Ecology at the Ohio State University majoring in STEM (Mathematics) Education.

My top 5 StrengthsQuests strengths are: Learner, Achiever, Input, Discipline, and Belief. I was not surprised at all by my top 5 strengths, and especially my top strength, Learner. I've always had a passion and desire to learn. Being a learner means being someone that is actively engaged in whatever they are doing, being open minded to new topics, and getting excited to grow as a person in all aspects of life. I am typically that person in a group that will ask a lot of questions, but also be the first person to Google the question. More than likely, I'll also read more about it later as well. I am also the person that genuinely loves school, loves getting an education, and doesn't mind having to go to class. My teachers have always stimulated my desire to learn, which is one of the many reasons I am pursuing a career in education.

Even though I've only almost completed one semester at Ohio State, I feel as if I've learned some pretty valuable lessons in the time I have been here. Hopefully I will remember these lessons as I move forward and can share them with others, as well.

1. Tell the people you love how much you love them and tell them often.

2. Make sure to make time for yourself.

3. Never forget where you come from; always remember the colors you wear.

4. John 13:7

5. Find yourself a mentor - and actually use them as a resource.

I'm a firm believer that every person should have a core set of values that they identify with. For me, my top values tend to be faith, family, and integrity. I have completed activities similar to the values activity in class several times, and each time I find it to be just as difficult as the previous, even though I generally know where I'll end up. Every time I cross off a value or put a value card back in the box, I feel as if my heart is being punctured with each value I have to "get rid of." I always find that this activity is beneficial because it allows me to actually see what things I hold on to and the things I more easily let go. As I prepare for my career, this is something I hope to be able to share with my students and have them complete as well.