Virtual Memory Book
February 5, 2022
Students, staff, and the extended Nevada Union community grieve the loss of Humanities English teacher and NU alumna Ms. Sadie Wight Kinseth, who died on Saturday, February 5, 2022. Ms. Wight Kinseth was a member of the NU Class of 1999 and joined the NU teaching staff in 2013.
The staff of Goldpan Online encourages anyone in our NU family to share their memories of Ms. Kinseth in a post in this Virtual Memory Book.
We will collect all posts to publish in a hardbound book for Ms. Kinseth’s seven-year-old son, Tyler, and for the rest of her family.
Andrew Snyder • May 27, 2022 at 3:56 pm
A legacy of understanding will continue in the hearts and minds of anyone you interacted with. A pure human. Bless your soul.
Rachel • Apr 15, 2022 at 3:33 pm
I knew Ms. Kinseth as Ms. Wight and had the honor of being the first class she taught at Nevada Union in 2013. She was a remarkable teacher who showed an amazing compassion and drive for her students. It was such a privilege to have her guide me through her class. She was a rare and precious person. She is deeply missed and very loved.
Denise deGrasse • Feb 10, 2022 at 9:46 am
Sadie was my student in fourth grade at Scotten School. She was one of those perfect students; she looked bed school, had lots of friends, and she was very sweet and always smiling. Later, her mother Sioux, was my classroom aide at Hennessy, and Sioux was very proud of her Sadie.
I had the good fortune to see Sadie at a mutual friend’s anniversary celebration at the Starr Vineyard, and Sadie convinced me to try a wine that I don’t usually like. She was right, and it was delicious. Her death came as a great shock, and I am so sad for her family, especially her son, Tyler.
My deep sympathy to all her family and those who knew her and loved her.
Kari Stehmeyer • Feb 8, 2022 at 11:05 am
I’m trying to process it all. Sadie only knew to be loving: to lead with love, to teach love, to model love, to protect self love & advocacy, to find the loving point of view, to tell all types of people they’re loved, to parent with love & affection, to mentor from a place of love for the profession of educator, to love a good curse word, a great musical talent, a shared meal, to assess & grade with love, and even to extend love & grace to any “jerk faces” in the world. I just shared chocolate treats with her on Friday afternoon. Her love for her students knew no limits. I will cherish the time I had her as a mentor while student teaching. And I will miss her very much. I promise to look after “our kids.” And I echo many of our shared students’ love for Ms.Kinseth.
Louise McFadden • Feb 8, 2022 at 7:52 am
Dear Ty,
As you reread these passages years from now, know that the spirit of your mom lives on in many people, but especially in you. I knew your mom before she was a teacher at NUHS and was on the Interview Committee when she applied to become a full time teacher there. How wise NU was to employ her, and how lucky her students were to have her as their instructor. As the years passed and I retired, your mom would call to chat about books and ideas about reaching out to kids. But always, the conversation would circle around to you and the “push and pull” of teaching and being a mom. She loved you so! That is why I am convinced she would want you to live well now, to enjoy life and to carry on her great spirit of loving others. Grab onto happiness, Ty. That is one important way you can honor the legacy of your dear mom!
Louise McFadden
Savannah • Feb 8, 2022 at 7:32 am
It was such a pleasure to be in your class. The support and love you showed all your students was immense. I loved the passion you taught your classes with and how hard you worked to engage us all in the subjects. Supporting your students seemed as though it came easily because myself and all my friends felt safe and taken care of in your class because of the energy of kindness and compassion you showed to us all. We are going to miss you so much.
Jackson Law • Feb 7, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Mrs Kinseth was so lighthearted and truthfully just an angel in disguise. She helped me so much through my mental struggles and was a teacher who truthfully understood me. I am absolutely devastated from the loss of her beautiful soul. We will always love you.
Helena Bryan • Feb 7, 2022 at 2:16 pm
I have had the privilege of having Sadie for 3 years. For many she wasn’t just a teacher, she was one of the few at Nevada Union many students felt comfortable coming to. Even if there was a problem outside of school, Sadie was the one to always understand and make sure we were supported. She valued our voices and opinions more than anything and made sure that we were heard. Her classroom was a safe place and somewhere that everyone felt comfortable. Her world was her son, Tyler. She was always so happy to share their precious memories with all of her classes. He is loved so unconditionally and she will continue to love him from above. I remember the first time I met Tyler, he was just beginning to learn how to talk and the way Sadie’s eyes lit up watching him was the definition of pure happiness. I will always remember the love you shared as well as the life lessons you installed in us. I am lucky enough to have been touched by her presence and better yet to call her a friend.
Jess • Feb 7, 2022 at 1:50 pm
Mrs. Kinseth was one of my most supported teachers. She was the person I would go and talk to about anything I needed. I felt safe with her and she helped me through a lot of anxiety and always gave me time to turn in work. She was my teacher for 3 years and was such a big influence on my life that I will never forget. She also had my sister for 2 years and she was both our favorite. I wish I could of given her one last hug when I left her class on the morning of Friday February 4th, 2022.
Kim Mota • Feb 7, 2022 at 1:25 pm
We will all miss you deeply. You were extremely loved by all your students. The thought of you just being gone brings us all to tears. You were a teacher, a daughter, a mother, and our friend. We will always remember you deeply in our hearts. Goodbye beautiful soul ♥️
Paige • Feb 7, 2022 at 1:20 pm
Miss Kinseth had the most pure, beautiful, kind, shining personality I’ve ever had the honor to experience. She always made me feel safe and loved in her class as my teacher, not to mention she was a close family friend. My heart breaks for her family and loved ones. My family and I are sending so much love to them. We love you so much Sadie, we miss you, rest well.<3
Eryella • Feb 7, 2022 at 12:12 pm
The gentle, understanding soul of Kinseth always radiated through everyone she knew. She was always there if you needed to talk about anything, always there to really listen to what we had to say, and shared stories with us that reflected her joy in life and how much love she had for her family, friends, and students. She will always be in the hearts of those she cared for.
Phoenix Baer • Feb 7, 2022 at 12:00 pm
I am so thankful for everything Ms.Kinseth has done for this school and for her students. As we started to go back to school she made sure to check in with her students personally and make sure we were doing ok and offered help if we needed any. She cared about each one of her students and had one of the few classes I looked forward to going to. One of my favorite memories was when she got really excited about my frog cake I made for a project even though it didn’t look the greatest. I know she will be missed by so many. We love you Ms.Kinseth.
Alyssa • Feb 7, 2022 at 11:53 am
Thank you for being the best teacher ever Mrs. Kinseth. We love you very much and we will always remember you as our English teacher.
Quinn Schug • Feb 7, 2022 at 11:09 am
Ms.Kinseth cared so deeply for every student, no matter who they were. She was always willing to meet students where they were. Whether they need an extension on an assignment, or someone to talk too or even just a granola bar. It was just nice to know, that even after the worst day ms Kinseth wouldn’t hold anything against you. She’d offer you a snack and just make sure you were fine. She was just kind to every student and I really admired that, because teenagers can be terrible. She was a beautiful, kind, caring soul.
Kailen Meyers • Feb 7, 2022 at 11:08 am
Ms Kinseth was one of the most kind and loving human beings I have ever met. She took her job to a whole other level by not only being a teacher for her students but by being their friend. There was nothing she loved more than being a teacher. Scratch that there was only one thing she loved more than being a teacher, her son, Tyler. Everyday in class she bragged about that amazing child. I got the opportunity to meet him a handful of times and he absolutely embodies her spirit and charisma. A person like her is truly a once in a lifetime friend. she was a loving mother, teacher, and friend. We will all be eternally grateful to have had her in our lives.
Ethan • Feb 7, 2022 at 10:00 am
She was a great person and she helped me trough time
Debi Sekerak • Feb 6, 2022 at 6:06 pm
Sadie jumped in head first for my son’s class when the teacher left during the year. One of my measures of a good teacher was to have my sons tell stories about them at the dinner table. Sadie inspired those stories. The class enjoyed her presence instantly.
She took the time to learn about each one of them and they noticed.
I also worked with Sadie when she came in as a substitute teacher for the RISE program.
NJUHSD was wise to realize we needed to hire Sadie permanently. She would have been welcomed anywhere with open arms but she chose us. So grateful she did.
❤️
Willow West • Feb 6, 2022 at 12:19 pm
She was one of the best teacher’s i’ve had. I only got to have her for one semester this year but she genuinely cared for her students, and wanted what was best for them. She was a light at NU that will be missed dearly by her students.
Rylee Silva • Feb 6, 2022 at 10:52 am
To the woman who took time to be more than our english teacher, forever grateful for this wonderful woman who made it her goal to make us feel heard as not only students, but human beings. We forever love you Ms. Kinseth.
delia • Feb 6, 2022 at 9:49 am
She always made sure everyone was okay to the best of her ability. She cared about the people around her especially her students. Sadie was the kind of person who knew other people and what they had to say mattered. She always aloud others to voice their opinions and she genuinely heard them.
Walter & Laura Kaweski • Feb 6, 2022 at 5:52 am
Sadie was a gentle loving soul. It is heartbreaking to learn of her passing.
We send our sincere condolences to Sadie’s family, students, and friends during this most difficult time.
mikah • Feb 6, 2022 at 1:24 am
Ms.Kinseth was the nicest teacher, she always made students feel comfortable in her classroom and always looked out for her students. I will miss you very much Ms.Kinseth fly high
Abby Bates • Feb 6, 2022 at 12:30 am
Thank you for everything you did for me Sadie. Tyler you’re mom was an amazing human being, she was so beyond respectful, she was happy, fun, loved talking about you and all the silly things you have said, she was as perfect as perfect can get. She loved you just as mush as we all loved her. I hope you grow up to be like your mom, we love you.
keira george • Feb 6, 2022 at 12:28 am
Ms. Kinseth was one of my favorite teachers i’ve had. She was very understanding and cared about her students and would make them feel welcomed in her classroom. She would always make sure everyone’s voices were heard. I will miss hearing her stories she would always tell us in class. Sending love to her family and friends❤️
Allayna Williams • Feb 6, 2022 at 12:21 am
Ms. Kinseth was the kindest most thoughtful teacher i’ve had. She always listened to what we had to say and she always seemed to have a smile on her face. The stories she told the class always seemed to make my day better. Sending prayers to the whole family. We love you so much Ms. Kinseth
Amy Sandoval • Feb 5, 2022 at 10:49 pm
The purest soul ever, an amazing teacher that loved each and every one of us! Lucky enough to be one of her students. forever in our hearts Ms.K
Lydia Franza • Feb 5, 2022 at 10:49 pm
Ms. Kinseth was one of the most gracious, thoughtful, selfless, and kind person I will ever come across. She always thought of others before herself and tried to make the best of every situation. Ms. Kinseth always knew how to find the light in the darkest situations. Rest easy❤️
jasmine • Feb 5, 2022 at 10:06 pm
ms kinseth had a wise soul!
Kiannah Dallago • Feb 5, 2022 at 9:26 pm
It is so devastating to hear about Ms. Kinseth passing, but I hope everyone knows that she changed so many peoples lives. She would always let us talk about how we felt about what was going on currently. For example, none of my teachers would ask how we, as students, were feeling about anything, like the port-a-potties situation. She wouldn’t shut any of our opinions out, or make us feel unheard. If anything, in her class I felt the most heard. She was so considerate, and one of the nicest teachers I have ever had. She would tell us stories about her and Tyler. I remember the story about her birthday, and how her and Tyler went to her aunts house and slept in sleeping bags. It is so devastating to hear about her passing, but I hope everyone knows that she changed so many peoples lives. She had a full heart, and it was clear that she loved her students so much. There were so many times that I remember where she said “I love you guys”, as we were leaving to go home after class ended. It will never be the same without her in our class.
Hayden Baures • Feb 5, 2022 at 8:19 pm
Ms. Kinseth was always so kind. She adored her son so much, she talked about him all the time it really showed how great of a mom she was. As a teacher and as a friend she always made sure the students of NU were okay. We love her dearly and she will forever be a part of NU. She always had her students do notebook entries at the beginning of class and most of the time they were about things Tyler talked to her about the morning or night prior to school. She always told us students how smart Tyler is and how she is so proud of him. I’ve met him once and he was so kind and respectful she really raised a great kid. She was one of mine and many other students favorite teachers. I hope and encourage all teachers to be more like her. Her kindness and care for others brightened up the classroom. She was so happy and excited for Tyler’s birthday. So from me to him happy birthday Tyler! We all love and care for you.
abigail moya • Feb 5, 2022 at 6:33 pm
Ms. Kinseth always made sure her students were okay. she preached self love and how important mental health is. without getting the opportunity to be one of her students i wouldn’t have been able to make it through my junior year. i love her so dearly