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Portrait of Dr. Kasten

Dr. Sarah Kasten's work in Northern Kentucky University's College of Education helps inspire future generations of educators.

Associate professor of mathematics Dr. Sarah Kasten grew up around amazing teachers, both in school and in her family—an experience that instilled her with a desire to one day have that same influence and impact on others. Today, Dr. Kasten’s work doesn’t just influence her own students. It is part of a larger community that has an exponential impact passed on from one generation to the next.

“My favorite part of my job is when I hear from students who have graduated and come back to tell me about their love of teaching,” she says. “It's also amazing that my current students are now placed in field experiences with experienced teachers who used to be my students. We’re creating this community together, working to help everybody become a better teacher. It's great to be part of that loop of experience.”

In 2001, shortly after graduating from Miami University with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and mathematics education, Dr. Kasten began working as a ninth-grade math teacher in Columbus, Ohio. Though the transition from college to being in charge of a classroom could be difficult, being surrounded by a group of supportive colleagues taught her the importance of mentorship.

“We’re creating this community together, working to help everybody become a better teacher. It's great to be part of that loop of experience."

“My experience learning to be a teacher included working with people who were amazing professors, who, quite frankly, made the work they were doing look really fun,” Dr. Kasten says. “When I started teaching, I heard a lot of stories from my colleagues that their experiences were not all as good as mine—they didn’t receive the same opportunities that I had to learn about teaching. I thought that maybe that was something I would like to try to do: another way to help people and have an influence on what they learn.”

This sentiment led Dr. Kasten to pursue her PhD in Mathematics Education at Michigan State University. After graduating in 2009, she was hired by Northern Kentucky University as an assistant professor and has stuck with the university ever since. 

“NKU cares about teaching. We care about our students,” she says. “The phrase at the time was this idea of providing an ‘up close and personal’ education, and I very much wanted to work with my students that way, learning alongside them.”

Outside of the classroom, Dr. Kasten enjoys spending time with her family, particularly traveling with her children, who are highly involved in Ninja Warrior activities—completing obstacle courses based on the TV game show of the same name.

“I spend so much time watching ninja warriors and learning what they do,” she says. 

For incoming students planning to go into education, she recommends taking time to get to know the faculty better. 

“Immerse yourself in the community, and the process of becoming a new and early teacher,” she says. “That really helps you transition into this profession.”

About This Article
 

Published
May 2023

Written by
Jude Noel ('18)
Communications Specialist, NKU Magazine

Photography by
Scott Beseler