New History Teacher Brings a Dramatic Flair to Learning About Social Studies and World Events

Caption: Ms.Twilley talking to her students after their World History test on  Wednesday. [by Felipe Wilcken]

by Felipe Wilcken

Ms. Sarah Twilley, who is more commonly known as “Ms.T”, is a new secondary teacher at PACA, who arrived at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year and filled more than just a spot as a social studies teacher. 

Ms. Twilley also helps out in Drama because of her passion for singing and with the Knowledge Bowl because of her experience competing on Jeopardy. Ms. Twilley was born and raised in the USA, California, then later went to Montana, where she also taught a few years at a school in a small town. 

Ms. Twilley is not only a history and music teacher, but she is also a passionate learner. So much so that she won Jeopardy, (a TV show) in one episode. Ms. Twilley was able to answer 28 correct questions out of 31. The average player gets 25% of questions wrong, while Ms. Twilley got only 10% wrong.

This record is one memory Twilley is able to carry with her no matter where she travels.  Recently, she has experienced leaving that life behind to start a new one in Brazil.  

In this transition, Twilley admits that the process is never easy and is always a challenge. According to Ms. Twilley PACA has done a great job at welcoming her in as a new member.

“I feel like I left a community behind and it hurts,” said Twilley, “but now I am part of a new one.” 

This shows that although Ms. Twilley had to leave a lot behind, now she gets to make new friends and relationships here in Brazil.

Benjamin Oliveira, a freshman student, finds her teaching style to connect with him because of the way she cares for her students while being firm in her standards and expectations.                      

“She is kind and passionate, but also firm when she needs to be,” said Oliveira. “This comes to show why Ms.Twilley is a great teacher, she knows how to care for her students, but she has what it takes to control the class.”

Ms. Twilley mentioned that the hardest part of this whole experience is not seeing her parents. Her parents will be visiting during break, but she already misses them. One of the positive things about PACA that help make up for this loss, is the amount of green space available here. According to Ms. Twilley PACA’s trees and nature make her feel at home, which helps alleviate the thought of being away.

Ms. Twilley has said that class has been going smoothly and that she is loving her new students. Students like Oliveira are learning to develop their learning skills under her teaching. 

“I believe that class has been productive and I have been able to develop my learning in History,” said Oliveira. “Ms. Twilley is very special and we are lucky to be able to have her here at PACA.” 

Ms. Twilley got her bachelors at USC (Oral Music) and her masters at Grand Canyon University (Secondary Education with emphasis on Humanity). Now she teaches World History, World Geography, AP US History at PACA.