Starian is currently a Learning Experience Designer for Professional Learning Communities at Digital Promise working with #ReinventTheClassroom and HP Teaching Fellowship and the Coach Community.

In her previous role, she facilitated professional learning, advocated for students and teachers, and supported the integration of technology in a rapidly changing district. Prior to becoming an instructional coach, she was in the secondary classroom in multiple capacities—as an English teacher, yearbook advisor, and athletic coach. These experiences helped her learn the intricacies and intersectionality of teacher and student identities, which she explored as a contributing writer with MovingWriters.org, sharing her experiences with creating unique learning experiences for writers during the turbulence of virtual learning.

By way of North Texas, she originally hails from Kansas City and holds a B.A. in English Language & Literature with a minor in Secondary Education from the University of Saint Mary as well as a Masters in Curriculum & Instruction with an emphasis in TESOL, Linguistics, and & Identity from KU and an M.Ed in Educational Leadership from the University of North Texas.

She believes that every student and education professional deserves an environment and learning experience that allows them to grow, learn, and teach sin miedo. She has committed her educational career to creating safe spaces wherever she goes in the name of equity, inclusion, and mental and emotional health and safety because everyone should be able to experience learning without fear. You can reach her at sporchia@digitalpromise.org.