Sally Komarek
History Instructor Sally Komarek began teaching at Exeter this year, yet she is already known for her passion for history and her work as an adviser. Aside from teaching a variety of history courses, she is the faculty adviser for the new “Communist Club” on campus and is affiliated with Lamont Hall.
Komarek grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and attended Blake School. She went on to play on the women’s hockey team at Dartmouth College, where she majored in English and history. After graduating, she became a history teacher. Before coming to Exeter, she was a history instructor at Northfield Mount Hermon School, a prep school in Gill, Massachusetts.
“Exeter is an institution of academic excellence, and it is truly a privilege to teach such hardworking and thoughtful students. I find myself leaving each class inspired and intellectually invigorated.”
Komarek was fascinated with history at an early age. “I have been passionate about history for about as long as I can remember,” she said. Her interest began from talking to her grandmother about her life and the American history that coincided with it. “I grew up in a multigenerational household and would talk with Nana, who was 70 years my senior, about her life, and I was enthralled by her stories and recollection of her youth and pivotal moments in U.S. history.”
Her interest in history developed more as she grew up, and throughout her life, she has looked for more opportunities to study history. “On family beach vacations growing up I was more interested in finding the hotel library than a spot by the pool,” she said. In high school, she began studying history in an academic setting, seriously engaging with history through a heavy course load. She credits her high school experience for her passion for history. “I was incredibly fortunate to have a broad range of history and social sciences courses to choose from in high school. More importantly, I had teachers who cared about me, invested in me and valued what my peers and I had to say.”
Now, as a teacher and adviser, Komarek inspires other students on their own journey as they continue to inspire her. When asked about her first impression of Exeter, she said, “Exeter is an institution of academic excellence, and it is truly a privilege to teach such hardworking and thoughtful students. I find myself leaving each class inspired and intellectually invigorated.”
Komarek, while new to Exeter herself, advises a group of new students from Lamont Hall. Both Komarek and her advisees are adjusting to Exeter and have already developed a tight bond. Sarah Pasche, a prep in Lamont, described Komarek as “very sweet and energetic” with a fun-loving personality. She especially likes how Komarek goes out of her way interact with the girls in her advisery group. Pasche mentioned one example of Komarek’s generosity towards her advisees, saying, “She even got all of us succulents!”
Komarek especially values diversity and equity at Exeter. As she works with both students and teachers on social issues, she is encouraged by the community’s investment in their work. “It’s apparent that members of the Exeter community care about their work and I am excited by the increased focus on improving our work in relation to inclusion, equity and diversity,” she said.
Lower Jack Zhang had Komarek as a teacher during fall term. He enjoyed talking to her about historical ideas and furthering his curiosity in the subject. “We had a pretty long conversation about her work before Exeter, on political cartoons and the civil war and that was a cool moment where I really connected with her and she shared her experience. She has an obvious love for history,” he said.
When Zhang, along with a few other students, began to think about starting a club centered around communism, he knew where to turn. Komarek happily agreed to become the faculty adviser for his new Communist club. “The fact that she was willing to associate herself with us even if she didn’t necessarily share all our ideas really showed that she was willing to support students in their intellectual endeavors. She really stepped up which shows how much she cares about the life of Exeter,” Zhang said.
Komarek is excited about her future working with Exonians on history, diversity and other issues that she is passionate about. “I am eager to positively contribute to an Exeter that is always striving to improve as an institution of learning,” she said. Whether she is teaching history or helping student groups, Komarek is a source of inspiration for Exeter students. Her commitment to the school along with its students will continue to impact the community in the future.