By Maureen Leader, Special Features Writer
It’s great to be able to fulfill all of your passions in life. For many women being able to add the passion of motherhood to our professional lives makes our lives so much richer. Mom of the Month Sarah Diiorio has done this, and she makes it seem so easy. Four children, a husband and a fulltime job … and she manages it all successfully.
Mom of the Month Sarah Diiorio poses in front of the Christmas tree with children, from left, Elena, Eilis (kneeling), Isabella and Liam. (Randy Hess Photo)
Diiorio and her husband, Wes, are parents to: Eilis, 6; Liam, 4; Elena, 2; and Isabella, 9 months. Since 1999 she’s been a full-time high school English literature teacher at Hempfield High School.
For as long as Diirorio can remember, she has always wanted to be a teacher. She said as a child she used to pretend she was one. “Plus,” she added, “I was the oldest child and tended to be a bit bossy!” Diirio always loved to read, and she also knew her life as a teacher would involve that.
Diirorio teaches seniors and sophomores and loves the ages of the kids and the kind of relationship she has with them. “As young adults, I don’t have to babysit. I can just teach, and they get it. Plus I am able to bring humor to what I do.”
Diiario also knew one day she would want to become a mother. Like all mothers, she could not have predicted how or when it would all work out. But, again, like all mothers, things just always have a way of falling into place.
Sarah and Wes Diiorio met in a high school study hall in Mechanicsburg, PA when the two were just 15 and 16 years old. After graduation the two continued on to Millersville University together. About a year after college, they married.
Almost 14 years later and four children later, Diiorio has her routines down. Her typical day starts at 5:30 in the morning when she hits the ground running. She gets baby Isabella fed and ready and then the rest of the children to day care or to school. She said all four of her kids are energetic, and “When they get along, it’s good!” Diiorio arrives in her classroom by 7:15 a.m. and stays there until 3:30 p.m., unless there is extra work to do, and there almost always is.
Diiorio’s ancestry is Irish, and her husband’s is Italian. But both appreciate each other’s heritage. They even split up the names of their children to reflect both backgrounds: Eilis and Liam are Irish names; Elena and Isabella are Italian. The couple has also visited Italy and Ireland together.
All in all, Diiorio has been able to achieve the best of both worlds–a loving family and a fulfilling profession. She works hard, but Diiaro said things run well because of her children, because of how good they are and also because of her husband, Wes. “He’s a huge help,” she said.
But, Wes, who nominated his wife to be Mom of the Month, turned it around and gave her full credit with a little extra compliment: “She is able to juggle her professional and home life while staying forever young and beautiful.”
FAST FACTS ABOUT SARAH DIIORIO
Diiorio’s favorite restaurant is Maison or Checkers.
Diiorio has a sister who lives in Maryland and a brother who lives in Connecticut.
Diiorio believes it just isn’t summer without a trip to Rehoboth Beach.
While attending Millersville University, Diiorio played rugby.
At Hempfield, Diiorio coached the girls’ lacrosse team.
Diiorio’s favorite color is green.
Diiorio said she considers herself athletic. She said she has completed some 5Ks.
When she cooks, Diiorio doesn’t follow a recipe. She is able to make meals “on the fly.”
