Rachel Staroba

My name is Rachel Staroba. I began my career in education at PS 152Q in District 30 as a bilingual special education teacher. After completing my master’s degree in School Leadership at Columbia University’s Teachers College Summer Principal Academy, I opened East Elmhurst Community School in 2013—a new school founded on curiosity over compliance, strong family engagement, and a deep commitment to the arts. I love collaborating with my colleagues to design and refine our curriculum to meet the evolving needs of our students and to continuously seek new opportunities for their growth. I especially enjoy sitting with our young writers to discuss their work and encourage them to embrace the full power of the pen.

Outside of school, I love playing the piano, reading, writing, and visiting local museums with my husband and son. I’m also a devoted cat lover who enjoys spending time by the ocean and watching documentaries on just about anything—there’s always more to learn and new perspectives to explore.