Staff Developer
SGaleot@schools.nyc.gov
Sandy Long holds a bachelor’s degree in Theater from Tufts University and a master’s degree in Theater from the University of Washington. She came to New York as an actress but became interested in teaching while volunteering in her son’s classroom. She noticed advertising for the New York City’s Teaching Fellows program and heeded the call. She began teaching and earned a master’s degree in Education from Long Island University.
Sandy taught at PS 54 in Brooklyn before joining the PS 8 community in 2009. She taught kindergarten for three years, first grade for three years, and she spent two years working as a literacy coach. In 2014, Sandy stepped into the role of Staff Developer for grades K-2. Over a decade into her teaching career, she still loves what she does. She says, “I love getting to know the kids — what really engages them, what moves them, what excites them. I think that’s my favorite part.”
In her spare time, Sandy likes to read, hike in the Shawangunk Mountains, and watch her son play baseball.
In case you’re wondering…
Staff developers meet with teachers and work with them to revise specific units. Staff developers can “launch” a new unit in partnership with teachers across a grade, helping ensure consistency and facilitate teacher-to-teacher learning. There are also specific mentoring relationships, as well the work of synthesizing and effectively disseminating guidance from places like Teachers College.