By Katelyn Lu and Charlotte Lai
As the 24-25 school year draws to an end, the SAS community prepares to say goodbye to Ms. Litushko, a beloved English teacher who has been with the school for four years. From teaching Innovation Institute and AP Language, to performing self-written songs at Relay for Life, she has adorned the school with her talents and invigorated not only the classroom but the entire community.
Ms. Litushko’s time at SAS has been marked by unforgettable moments and profound lessons. One of her most cherished memories, surprisingly, comes from the difficult COVID-19 pandemic. She shared. “It was a dark period, but there was a moment during lockdown that stands out. When a case was reported at school, we had to stay in our rooms for testing, often late into the night or even on weekends. The first time it happened, my advisory kids came in with snacks, we played music, and just hung out together. It was such a simple, human moment in the middle of chaos, and it’s one of my favorite memories from my time here.”
Ms. Litushko joined SAS in 2021, at the height of the pandemic, when the school was navigating unprecedented challenges. Despite the tough circumstances, she quickly became a pillar for her students, fostering a sense of community as they faced these trials together.
Reflecting on what she has learned during her tenure, Ms. Litushko further emphasized the unique drive and curiosity of SAS students. “Students here are incredibly intelligent and self-motivated,” she said. “I’ve had so many meaningful conversations with them, whether about personal growth or academic challenges. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to let students guide the conversation—to listen to what they want to talk about rather than imposing my own agenda. It’s been incredibly rewarding.”
When asked about what she will miss the most about SAS, she responded, “Obviously, the students. That’s going to be one of the things I’ll miss the most. Also, some of the people I work with—but you don’t become a teacher to hang out with adults, right? So, the students are probably going to be the biggest thing.”
Ms. Litushko’s ability to connect with students and create a supportive, student-centered environment has left an indelible mark on the SAS community. As she prepares to embark on a new chapter, Ms. Litushko will be remembered not just for her teaching, but for the warmth, adaptability, and genuine care she has brought to every interaction.
While we are saddened to see her leave, we are also excited for her as she opens new doors to new experiences.
Ms. Litushko mentioned that she is “the kind of person that can’t stay in one place for long stretches of time.” Rather, she enjoys constantly seeking new experiences. “I think I’ve been teaching for 10 years, and I feel that it’s a good time to transition to something else and do something different. It may still be teaching, but just something different,” she added. Currently, Ms. Litushko is still in the process of discovering and thinking about her future endeavors, a process that involves “a lot of ideas and all of them are on the table.” Though one thing is for sure: she is ready to move on from grading papers. “Yeah, it’s the bane of my existence,” she stated.
However, even as people enter new environments and new communities, some things remain the same. For one, many students may know Ms. Litushko as an artist of poetry and music from Relay for Life, a high school event where students walk overnight to raise cancer awareness. During this event, many students battled the harsh and unforgiving November winds. Yet, Ms. Litushko brought us warmth through her performance of a heartfelt original song with her lovely voice and guitar. It was a truly memorable moment that brought the SAS community closer together. Regarding the future of these artistic passions, Ms. Litushko explains that “It’s not something that I’m leaving to do, but it’s definitely a part of who I am as a person. Perhaps I’ll have more time to do it and develop that part of myself more, which I’m looking forward to.” Additionally, Ms. Litushko has many other passions and secret talents that we don’t know about. She says, “I think I’ve neglected some of them over time. Maybe I’ll go back to rock climbing, which I haven’t done in a long time, but I’d love to!”
While her departure is bittersweet, the SAS community celebrates the lasting impact she has made and wishes her all the best in her future endeavors. Once an Eagle, always an Eagle: the memories and contributions of every Eagle shape who we are as a community. With the Eagle spirit, we wish Ms. Litushko a heartfelt farewell and a future filled with happiness and inspiration!