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We are so proud to share Starr Sackstein, NBCT as our Educator of the Week!
What is your current job of position?
Hybrid HS English and Journalism teacher and teacher coach at World Journalism Preparatory School, a small public school in Flushing, NY
What is your educational background?
I’ve been teaching for 14 years. This is my 3rd school. I spent my first 3 years at Far Rockaway High School, an inner city school that is now closed. My second school, was an affluent suburban school on Long Island that I spent 2 years at and now I’ve been at this school for 9 years. I’ve developed the journalism program at this school and in addition to teaching English, I’ve advised and developed the online media program here.
Describe your educational philosophy and educational vision?
I’m all about student voice and putting student in control of their learning. The more I’ve transitioned about from the traditional confines of education, the better, more creative and innovative my students have become. So I’m all about challenging students by partnering with them in the learning, allowing their questions to guide our discussions and their input colors and shapes our collective spaces. Technology has been a big part of engaging and shifting the control in the class as well to continue to make learning more authentic. Rather than grading students, we talk about mastery and they share their growth and progress. It has been wonderful.
How do you grow and engage your professional learning network?
I’m very engaged online using Twitter (@MsSackstein) and Facebook groups. I write books and also blog and this has enabled me to meet many teachers from around the world. Whether communicating with them through social media or face to face at conferences, I’m always learning from the people who are around me. Since I’ve started on Twitter, I’ve taken big risks to allow students to take ownership of the classroom.
What is the greatest benefit of your professional network?
Access to different ideas and practices. I love that I’m able to put a question out on Twitter and receive help whenever I need it. Plus I’m more connected with people outside of school sometimes than I am with the folks I work with. It’s sad, but true.
If you blog, what is the focus of it? How long have you been writing? Who is your audience?
Yes I blog. I have StarrSackstein.com which is my personal blog and that is all things education and the life of a teacher ranging from failures and successes of the classroom to personal struggled with being a mom and a teacher. My audience is largely other teachers and administrators, I think. I’ve been writing it for about 5 or 6 years. I also blog for Education Week Teacher at Work in Progress. This blog is all professional, not too confessional. I try to put best practices or learning on it to appeal to a wider audience who reads it. I’ve been writing for them for a year and a half.
How do you use social media to connect with other educators? What is your advice to teachers on social media and education?
I’ve written extensively about this. Twitter and Twitter chats is a great way to stay relevant and model appropriate behaviors for students. I take this very seriously. I’d recommend all teachers get a Twitter account and start following innovative educators and administrators and try to learn something new. I can certainly offer a few articles on this topic.
What advice in general do you have to teachers today?
We need to be positive deviants. Take the risks we want to see students take and fearless fail forward. Every risk is a potential failure, but it will definitely be a learning experience. We need to show kids how to recover from “failure” and use that perseverance to be stronger. We also have to break rules sometimes to do what’s right. I think taking those risks makes for an engaging work space that will always keep teachers on their toes. Also, trust your students. They want to learn and they want you to get out the way. Don’t give them easy answers, challenge them to ask better questions.
Describe a teacher who has had a significant impact on your professional development?
Over the years, I’d say the partnerships I’ve had with many teachers across content areas at my school and in other places have helped me grow. Teachers are often in unconventional places and personally, I’ve been taught about technology from Joey Goodman who isn’t a teacher in the traditional sense. My son is also an excellent teacher. Other than that, I admire the work of Dr Michael Curran, Nicholas Provenzano, Tony Sinanis, Alice Keeler, Mark Barnes, Pernille Ripp and Brad Currie to name a few. There are many other people who have helped me grow as an educator and I feel fortunate and honored to know them.
What book would you recommend to teachers?
There are many books out there that can be transformational – Dave Burgess’s Teach Like a Pirate, Angela Stockmans’ Make Writing, Mark Barnes and Jennifer Gonzalez’s Hacking Education – my Hacking Assessment and Teaching Students to Self Assess. Just to name a few
What are you thoughts on My Town Tutors? Have you ever tutored or do you know teachers who tutor?
I think it looks like a great service. I used to tutor for the SATs early in my career to make extra money and even taught SAT classes. I didn’t enjoy it. I do like working one on one with my students to help them with their writing at school if that qualifies. I also like to teach students to help each other.