When our wonderful and longest-standing server, Sarah Collins isn’t working at the Fort George Public House, she’s creating lesson plans and grading papers. Sarah is heading back to school as she does every year at this time. She’s a 5th-grade teacher at Gearhart Elementary. We talked to her about how she manages to juggle both careers.
Sarah admits it’s tough, but what she loves about working at the Fort George, is how much she’s been able to learn about Astoria and the people. Many patrons have become her friends, which has been great, as she didn’t know very many people when she first moved to town. Sarah says her shifts at the Fort free her mind from the constant whirring thoughts of teaching including planning, grading, and how individual students are performing. She continues to juggle both because she bought a house last year and along with a master’s degree come daunting student loans.
While the demands of the jobs differ, there are also similarities.
“In both jobs you are trying to keep people happy and keep them excited about being there. And sometimes adults who have been drinking act a little like ten-year olds, so I feel right at home,” Sarah said with a grin.
Sarah says it’s her Midwestern work ethic that keeps her going (go Buckeyes). Her past career, as touring manager for Pink Martini, took her to places including Beirut, Istanbul, and Monaco. She says they were all caring, talented musicians, who she feels privileged to have worked for. She changed careers when the band was between albums, aiming for a more stable lifestyle.
Sarah is a very busy lady, but she does allow herself one day off a week.
“I try to sleep in, read the Oregonian, do the crossword and pause to be thankful,” Sarah said.
