Sarah McPherson
Associate Professor, Chair

Department: Instructional Technology
School: School of Education
Campus: Old Westbury

Member of NYIT Since: 2004

From NYIT's Weekly Update:

A passionate educator and advocate, Sarah McPherson oversees NYIT’s graduate instructional technology program, which is designed to develop students’ expertise in the use of leading-edge media and technology for teaching and learning while emphasizing leadership. Prior to joining NYIT, she served as the associate director of the Johns Hopkins University Center for Technology in Education. She’s written extensively on topics such as assistive technology and Web 2.0 and is conducting research in the areas of universal design for learning with information and communication technologies and e-portfolios for assessment and program evaluation. Sarah says she is living her dream of working with colleagues from around the world. Recent academic presentations in Greece, Spain, Singapore, and China reflect a common theme—the benefits of global collaboration. Her students have come to understand that a degree in instructional technology can “open doors to places they cannot even imagine.”

What would your colleagues be surprised to know about you?
I thought I wanted to be an attorney, but then I took a business law course and found it boring. A series of events eventually led me to teaching.

Any great student success stories you can share?
One student taught math and science to middle school children in the Bronx, N.Y., through the use of videos. For the past four years, they’ve won the Chase Multimedia in the Classroom Awards Competition, which celebrates the achievements of teachers and students who transform learning environments through technology. Another student who joined us from England on an international teaching fellowship now supports instructional technology in 500 New York City Empowerment Zone schools.

What’s the best advice you ever received and what’s the best advice you impart to your students?
My mother told me, “never say I can’t” and “never say never." I have passed those wise words along to my students, who are teachers themselves, and constantly remind them to believe in their students. It’s the special educator in me, I suppose.

How do you keep up with the latest technologies?
I go to many conferences and soak up everything I can. I also spend a lot of time on social networking sites. I’m always reading people’s blogs and posts on wikis and checking out Second Life. I gave my Second Life avatar, Serena Kuramoto, a makeover. See my latest do!