Starr Sackstein is a secondary educator and school leader in New York. She is the author of several books on education, on topics such as going gradeless, peer feedback, and blogging. This blog is no longer being updated.
Teaching
Opinion
Have You Provided Students Enough Feedback for Growth?
Learning is an on-going process and it seems inadequate and arbitrary to try to label learning along the way when it looks so different for so many students. But since many of us are in the situation that does require grades, we must make sure students and parents aren't surprised when progress reports or report cards come. Even if your comments are pre-written, make sure to provide meaningful comments to aid in understanding the snapshot you are providing.
Education
Opinion
Is Connection Everything When It Comes to Blogging?
Although connecting is a big part of why we write publicly, it isn't the only thing. We blog to connect with ourselves and our experiences. So it's okay if you don't get a lot of readers at first (I know I didn't). It took a lot of effort of putting myself out there to attract people to my blog. I changed the theme, and restructured my personal time so that I could dial into the community consciously. It was an effort.
Teaching
Opinion
Tips for Capitalizing on Lost Instructional Time
As teachers, when we are called away to meetings, especially of the unexpected variety, with little time to plan for the loss, we need to have protocols in place in our classrooms that inspire and encourage students to use the independent substitute time to continue their learning.
Teaching
Opinion
Live Outside Your Comfort Zone
If we are ever going to accomplish the great things that need to be done in education or anywhere for that matter, we must fearlessly put ourselves out there for the better good. Forcing ourselves out of our comfort zones, we are pushed to pursue the greatest versions of ourselves and continuously grow.
Where does your comfort zone end and what can you do tomorrow to go past it?
Student Well-Being & Movement
Opinion
How Robotics Motivated Me to Stay in School
Long Island City High School student, Giselle Galindo shares how robotics helped her want to stay in school, opening her up to a whole world of learning she didn't even know she was interested in. Programs like the one Giselle describes are instrumental in keeping our students in school and excited about learning. Read about Giselle's love of robotics.
Teaching
Opinion
Traditional Report Cards Are Obsolete
Report cards were a solution once that probably made some form of communication easier. However, the kind of communication it fosters sends the wrong message about what learning should be. As we shift the mindset about learning, we also have be mindful about the sub-conscious messages we send systemically about what learning actually is.
Teaching
Opinion
A Mid-Year Reflection on a Major Career Move
One piece of advice I routinely get, that I understand on an intellectual level, is that change takes time and to not be too hard on myself. I've been working on loosening my expectations of myself and others in a more realistic way.
Student Well-Being & Movement
Opinion
For Students, Blogging Doesn't Feel Like Work
Imagine a classroom of kids, engaged in writing because they like it; they want to do it. No more sighs and audible "ahs" when it comes time to blog. It's easy and it's fun and best of all, it doesn't feel like learning, but it is.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
Teachers, This Is Your Permission Slip to Relax
Give yourself permission to take a break and if you can't give it to yourself, take a permission slip from me.
Student Well-Being & Movement
Opinion
Twitter Can Improve Text-Based Class Discussion
Class discussion can be challenging when you have a large class and only a few students who seem prepared to speak. Too often we allow the reticent folks in the room to silently sit and watch while their classmates control the discussion.
Student Achievement
Opinion
Using Data to Determine When a Do-Over Is Necessary
There will be times when scrapping what happened altogether may be the best plan and just starting over or moving on and then circling back at another time, but more often then not, it's worth it to just pause and reflect. These moments can yield a great deal of learning for everyone, including us.
Professional Development
Opinion
The Difficulty of the Personal and Professional Balancing Act
Overwhelmed with always feeling like I'm making the wrong choice, I realize that the sacrifices I've made to get where I am now cannot be taken back, I can only look forward and sometimes temporary decisions must be made to mitigate further damage.
Student Well-Being & Movement
Opinion
Empower Students to Be 'Captains of Communication'
Read how Science teacher, Brian Klaft builds student communication by empowering students to be table captains. "Even though there is some tweaking to be done with this strategy one thing is for sure, putting my strongest communicators in leadership roles has made my classroom higher functioning. I see it in their conversations, in their collaborative work, self written work, and assessments. It has helped all students grow in many ways. Give it a try the next time you rearrange your class. It won't take long for you to see the positive results."
Teaching
Opinion
How to Survive the Pre-Observation Frenzy
Ultimately, I am very confident that I capable to helping my students learn the way each of them need to. Despite the hoops that teachers have to jump through to prove that we can do that, it really comes down to the kids. Continually, I strive to better improve my practice, forfeit control and empower students to own their own learning in an authentic and meaningful way. When it works, I like to reflect on why and keep pushing harder and when it doesn't I have to examine what can be done differently. This is the only way I'll grow and that's what these observations are about... growth.