Sachs translates Ph.D. research skills to school environment

Submitted by: Andrea Sachs

Andrea Sachs receives her doctorate in American Studies. “[My studies] helped me polish my craft as a historian and also helped me polish my craft as a teacher,” Sachs said.

Javier Whitaker-Castañeda, Managing Editor
March 17, 2016

For Upper School history and social studies teacher Andrea Sachs, the process of earning her Ph.D. gave her valuable lessons that went beyond the subject she researched.

“[My studies] helped me polish my craft as a historian and also helped me polish my craft as a teacher,” Sachs said.

Sachs received her Ph.D. in 2001 from the University of Minnesota. Her graduate education focused on American Studies, specifically Feminist Social Welfare History.

Sachs was finishing her dissertation the same year she began teaching at St. Paul Academy and Summit School.

Sachs made final edits on her dissertation over winter and spring break and earned her Ph.D. soon after. According to Sachs, it is important to be motivated to work on your dissertation.

“You have to really be committed. It’s not based on a set amount of time. You have to be motivated to do the research and writing,” Sachs said.

In addition to polishing her craft as a historian, Sachs can relate to her students more after her studies.

“I’m very sympathetic when my kids are doing research projects. That’s what I did. The kind of thinking and research and writing, I’m teaching a version of that to my students,” Sachs said.