My name is Sari Holcombe and I have been a teacher at New Generation since 2005. Currently, I am the Middle School Reading teacher.  Prior to teaching at New Gen, I worked at the Florida Sheriff’s Boy’s Ranch as the reading coach during the 2003/2004 school year and then as the first grade paraprofessional at Summers Elementary during the 2004/2005 school year. From 1999 to 2007, I worked very actively in youth leadership at my church.

I graduated from Columbia High School in 1999. I went on to get my Associate of Arts degree from Lake City Community College(now Florida Gateway College) in 2002, with a minor in music. In 2008 I completed my Bachelor’s degree in psychology through the Saint Leo University satellite campus here in Lake City. Through my work, education, and general life experiences, I have found that my passions are my relationship with God and my family, music, animals, and teaching. I have had the privilege of bringing those passions together as a teacher at New Generation.

Since starting my current position, I have seen many capable, but struggling students come to New Gen. I have watched them learn and succeed in areas they never thought possible. It is most amazing to watch a student struggle, push through and have it click, and have that student begin to believe in himself/herself as never before. While there are a number of materials and methods that the staff at New Gen employs to make this possible, I think the first and #1 “method” we employ is just believing in the students, helping them to understand that God believes in them, and helping them to realize they have God-given potential. Once that becomes a reality, they start to soar educationally, socially, and spiritually.

On a more personal note, I’ve been a part of the Lake City community my whole life, since birth. I live on the same farm property that my family has lived on for generations. I am happily married since 2005. My husband and I are co-Worship Pastors at our church. In 2014, we were blessed with our first child, Benjamin, and also have some four legged children including a miniature pinscher, Penny, a border collie, Jane, and a few horses. Penny has actually become quite a staple at New Gen and kind of a stand in school mascot over the years, which the students love.