When Upper School math teacher Elliot Sakach is not lecturing on geometry theorems, describing statistical distributions or investigating data with the Behavioral Economics Club, he can often be found diving for frisbees at SaberCats Stadium, home of the Houston Havoc Ultimate Frisbee team.
This May, Sakach will finish his sixth year at the School. He teaches AP Statistics and Algebra II Advanced (A2A). Sakach grew up attending St. Stephens High School in Austin, but he made the decision to move from Massachusetts to St. John’s so he would be closer to home.
“Coming was the best decision. It’s an amazing school, and I have learned so much about teaching,” Sakach said. “It was also in Houston where I was able to play ultimate frisbee at the highest level.”
Sakach’s presence extends beyond a math teacher. In his time, he has sponsored over eight clubs—some more active than others—including Behavioral Economics Club, Crafting Club, Rock Climbing Club, Ultimate Frisbee Club, Sports Medicine Club, Hacky Sack Club, Rock Club and Fantasy Sports & Trading Cards Club.
“The students here are involved in not just academics,” Sakach said. “I love that they can easily make a club and share that passion with others.”
Another aspect important to Sakach are the advisories that each teacher leads. This year marks his second group of advisees, with his current one being sophomores.
“It’s been really cool seeing the progression of my first group of students from their freshman to senior year,” Sakach said. “There’s so much students learn about themselves in high school, and I feel lucky to have watched that journey up close.”
Sophomore Alyssa Theofanidis is Sakach’s current advisee.
“He’s literally the best,” she said. “Our advisory is kind of chaotic, but he makes everyone feel important. He always checks in with us to show he just really cares.”
Teachers alike can witness Sakach’s dedication to his students. Upper School math teacher, Eric Gao (‘16), who he shares a room with, views Sakach as a mentor and will feel his absence in the math department.
“He’s always on top of things, which I’m really jealous of,” Gao said. “He’s really good at juggling a lot of responsibilities without dropping any. Watching him work has helped me think more intentionally about my own teaching.”
Gao also notes Sakach’s classroom environment as being “student-centered and really positive,” a space Sakach creates by combining learning with engaging activities.
On the first day, A2A students are tasked to escape a “traffic jam,” only allowing one student to move at a time. The activity allowed students to bond as well as stimulate deep thinking. In his AP Statistics class, students build and measure the flight distance of paper airplanes. They also count M&M’s, Goldfish and chocolate chips. Using the collected data, the students would determine statistical trends and relationships.
“The activities we do build a connection with the teacher, so I want to learn from him more,” sophomore Callen Fetzer said. “He’s like your friend.”
As a professional Houston Havoc player, Sakach balances the life of a full-time teacher and athlete, something he can bond over with students.
“Playing frisbee on the Great Lawn or Plaza were some of my favorite memories,” Sakach said. “After teacher versus student ultimate frisbee games, the idea of faculty and students interacting more outside the classroom really took off.”
This fall, Sakach prepares to return to Massachusetts to teach Algebra II and Statistics Precalculus Advanced at Noble and Greenough, where he will also be the varsity Ultimate Frisbee coach.
“There’s so much I’ll miss about this place—the students, the energy, the way the community works together,” Sakach said. “But I’m excited for what comes next.”
Additional Reporting by Rebekah Costa and Katelyn McCollum
