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 This blog is no longer being updated.
Education
Opinion
Leadership, Like Teaching, Is Harder Than It Looks
We simply can't allow good enough to be good enough for our children. We all must work together to create a more conducive learning environment.
Teaching
Opinion
Raising a Nonstarving Artist
For some teachers, collaboration is cheating. In the real world, very little gets done by individuals.
Teaching
Opinion
Teachers, See Learning as Students Do
Too often, we take risks ourselves, only letting some of the rope out for students to be more autonomous, but because we don't know what to do with ourselves while that is happening, we can sabotage perfectly good learning experiences.
Teaching
Opinion
Necessary Grace: Am I a Hypocrite or Am I Human?
It's time we start extending ourselves a little grace. If we continue to feel shame and guilt every time we make a mistake, we're not going to make it to June.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
Getting Back Into My Flow State After a Break
No one likes the feeling of dragging themselves out of bed to go to a job they just aren't feeling right now, and the best antidote to that is finding our flow.
Education
Opinion
Why Educators Need to Make Literacy Accessible, Individualized, and Inclusive
While addressing reading-recovery fundamentals is vital, teaching readers the interpretive and social-emotional aspects of reading is also critically important.
Student Well-Being
Opinion
Make Learning Interactive and Student-Led
Although project-based learning can be daunting at first, it is well worth the mess. Planning your first project may not go as smoothly as you want or imagine, but I promise everyone will learn, so don't give up.
Teaching
Opinion
Are You Ready for Leadership?
No matter how ready you think you are, there will be moments you question your choice and that's OK. Trust yourself and continue to lead from a place of transparency.
Professional Development
Opinion
Lead From Your Core
If you haven't read Brene Brown's Dare to Lead, I strongly recommend it and not just for leaders, for anyone. Her voice is a strong and honest one that brings humor and humility to the front of the lessons she teaches.
Professional Development
Opinion
Support Teachers Where They Are for Initiatives to Thrive
Although we can make a case for developing more informed citizens, we really want critically thoughtful, creative people, who are less afraid of risk and more willing to take chances to grow. Our current system doesn't breed that in most people.
Teaching
Opinion
What I Wish I Knew ...
Since we only get one life, it is important to multitask less and live more.
Professional Development
Opinion
Leaders, Don't Assume, Stay Curious
It is important when we are doing this that we don't unintentionally assume the worst about our learners, adult or student, and give them every opportunity to share what they know and can do.
Education
Opinion
For Leaders, Preparation Is Key
We give this coaching to school leaders all the time. And here are the three things that follow: The first is that every school leader we give this coaching to names lack of time as an obstacle to being as prepared as they'd like to be.
Teaching
Opinion
Go Rogue, But Be Prepared for a Fight When it Comes to Giving Up Grades
Leaders need to support their most adventurous teachers and here are some suggestions about how.