Lamar School is proud to welcome home one of its own—Sara Dungan Boyer, Class of 2009—who joins the elementary faculty as our newest kindergarten teacher. Sara and her husband, Patrick, have three daughters: McBride (8), Margot (5), and Francie (2). After several years away, Sara is excited to return to her hometown and the school that shaped her.

“There’s something so special about the sense of community at Lamar and in Meridian,” she said. “I’m thrilled that my girls get to experience the same things I loved as a child—and now I get to see it all through a new lens as a teacher.”

Mrs. Boyer brings nine years of experience in early childhood education, most recently teaching at Hutchison School, an independent all-girls school in Memphis, Tennessee. Though this will be her first time leading a kindergarten classroom, she is eager to create a warm, joyful environment where students love coming to school each day.

“I can’t wait to share my favorite books and activities,” she said. “I want my students to find joy in learning and to know they are deeply cared for in our classroom.”

Sara’s own Lamar journey began in first grade, and she still remembers the impact her teacher, Mrs. Robin Davis, had on her. “I needed a little extra help with numbers, and she would work with me one-on-one in the back of the classroom. Her patience and encouragement are what inspired me to become a teacher.”

Returning to Lamar as a teacher has brought back many fond memories for Sara. “So much of what I remember and loved about Lamar is still here—the elementary plays, the sense of tradition, the close-knit feel,” she said. “But I’ve also been amazed by how the school has grown—there’s a new gym, more athletic offerings for girls like volleyball, Spanish in the elementary grades, and so many new extracurricular opportunities. It’s exciting to see how Lamar is evolving while still staying true to its roots.”

Known for her hands-on, engaging teaching style, Mrs. Boyer is passionate about making learning meaningful and fun for young children. Outside the classroom, she loves spending time with her family and sewing heirloom pieces for her daughters. She’s also grateful to be near her parents again—just down the road from Lamar.