Authentic Experiences: Adulting in the Academies with Fern Creek’s Sara Wilson-Abell
Sara Wilson-Abell's sixteen-year journey at Fern Creek High School exemplifies the transformative power of authentic, real-world experiences in education. From her early days as a student teacher to her current leadership role, Mrs. Wilson-Abell has consistently focused on providing students with meaningful, hands-on learning opportunities. "I live and breathe Fern Creek High School," she states, reflecting her deep connection to the school and its community.
Beach Balls and Battlefields
In her second year at Fern Creek, Mrs. Wilson-Abell became the AP US History teacher, where she sought to make history come alive for the students. "I have a love of history, teaching, and giving them really cool experiences," she recalls. In one memorable lesson, she had her students simulate trench warfare, turning over desks to make tunnels and throwing paper and beach balls at one another. Through experiences like this, she saw not just history but importantly her students come alive.
Adulting 101
Recognizing that authentic experiences could extend beyond academic subjects, Mrs. Wilson-Abell sought to equip students with practical life skills. As the senior class sponsor since 2011, she had a passion for launching students onto a successful path in the real world, especially since many graduates reported on Facebook feeling ill-equipped for life after high school.
With the support of her principal Dr. Nicolas, she launched Adulting 101, a three-day seminar for seniors, covering essential life skills such as budgeting, home repair, and professional life. She brought in successful alumni and local businesses to collaborate on the event. The inaugural Adulting 101 class received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with Mrs. Wilson Abell even making national news.
The Academies Model
When Fern Creek High School joined the Academies of Louisville in 2019, Mrs. Wilson-Abell seized the opportunity to integrate authentic experiences with the school’s curriculum. While the position of Academy Coach was new, she had already been providing authentic experiences through her innovative teaching in AP US History and the creation of the Adulting 101 program. "So much of the Adulting 101 content is now embedded in the Academies," she explains, highlighting the Academies’ unique approach to integrating real-world skills into the educational journey.
What Mrs. Wilson-Abell had previously taught in three days, she was now able to approach over the course of a student’s four years in high school. In engaging business partners, she likes to consider both how the partnership will help the businesses and how the businesses can enrich the students. The Academies model allows Mrs. Wilson-Abell to implement a comprehensive, four-year plan for student engagement with business partners:
Freshman Year – Guest speakers introduce students to various industries.
Sophomore Year – Industry tours give students a closer look at different work environments.
Junior Year – Students participate in job shadowing experiences.
Senior Year – Internships offer hands-on experience in a student’s chosen field.
Authentic Successes
Mrs. Wilson-Abell's commitment to authentic experiences has led to impressive results and numerous successful partnerships. Fern Creek High School boasts a 91% graduation rate and an 88.5% post-secondary readiness rate in 2024. Closest to her heart, the school had the highest number of experiential learning experiences among the Academies of Louisville in 2023-24.
With the high school located across from the Fern Creek Fire Department, Mrs. Wilson-Abell has collaborated with Fire Science teacher Mr. Mark LaMaster to build a strong pathway for future firefighters. In 2024 they coordinated multiple visits to the regional training facility, and all seniors in the program went through a formal mock interview with the FCFD. The Cinematography & Video Production Pathway has also flourished, with students creating award-winning films. They have another film release planned for this October.
Last year Kentucky Kingdom worked with students in multiple pathways to redesign their restaurant Casa Mia. Students in the culinary pathway revamped the menu, students in the business pathway conducted research for cost analysis, and students in the plumbing pathway considered the mechanics of renovating the building. These embedded authentic experiences not only prepare students for their futures but also increase engagement and enthusiasm for learning. "When they find the thing they like, they want to be here," Mrs. Wilson-Abell notes.
The Fern Creek Community
As Academy Coach, Mrs. Sara Wilson-Abell’s mission of providing authentic experiences is profoundly bettering Fern Creek High School and the surrounding community. Alongside her husband, Mr. Josh Abell, who serves as the head football coach, they lead the culture and climate subcommittee, demonstrating their shared commitment to the well-being of their school. Mrs. Wilson-Abell’s work as Academy Coach is central to this mission, connecting students with real-world experiences and business partners both in the classroom and beyond. Through her dedication, she is not only preparing students for life after high school but also fostering a vibrant, engaged community that thrives on authentic learning and meaningful connections.