Alumni Spotlight: Starr Winburn
Starr Winburn didn’t set out to teach high school, yet the classroom had a different path in mind.
Today, she serves as a Social Studies Learning Specialist at Rowe-Clark Math & Science Academy, part of the Noble Network of Charter Schools in Chicago. Starr has found her calling in the classroom, guiding high school students with empathy and consistency. She meets them where they are and helps them grow.
Her journey to the classroom started early, thanks in part to her mom, a longtime educator with Chicago Public Schools. "Growing up, if I had a day off, I’d go with my mom to her classroom," Starr recalls. "I always said I wanted to teach."
"Relay felt like a family. I didn’t just grow as a teacher—I grew as a person."
A proud graduate of Relay Graduate School of Education’s Master of Arts in Teaching program, Starr credits her time at Relay with giving her the tools to lead with confidence and heart.
Encouraged by a colleague to apply, she entered the program while teaching. She quickly discovered that Relay was unlike any academic experience she had encountered before.
"With my first master’s degree, it felt like professors were just there to teach a course," she says. "At Relay, it was different. My professors cared. They checked in, supported me, and genuinely wanted to see me succeed—not just in class, but with my students."
Guided by the example of thoughtful educators, Starr learned that being human in this work is not just acceptable; it is essential.
Bringing Humanity to the Classroom
That same care now defines Starr’s own teaching. Working on the west side of Chicago, she sees firsthand the challenges her students face. She is intentional about meeting them with empathy and accountability.
"I’m always reminding students that I’m here to support them, but we have to meet each other halfway," she says. "We use weekly reflections as a space to talk about what’s happening outside of school. That kind of transparency and trust makes a difference."
Moments That Matter
Starr’s proudest moments haven’t come from a test score. They’ve come from students returning just to say thank you.
"I’ve had students come back to visit, to tell me how college is going, how they’re adjusting. Some of them even went to my alma mater, Eastern Illinois University, and it’s surreal to talk to them about campus life and professors."
Looking Ahead
Though she works in a high school now, Starr dreams of becoming an elementary teacher one day. "That’s where my heart truly is," she says. In the meantime, she continues to grow by learning from veteran colleagues, attending professional development sessions, and leaning on mentors—especially when navigating IEPs or supporting students with complex needs.
Advice for New Teachers
Starr doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges of the profession, but she does offer hard-earned encouragement:
"You will feel overwhelmed. That’s normal. But stay connected to your classmates, your professors, your purpose. And when opportunities come up to give back, take them. Be on the panel. Share your story. You never know who you’ll inspire."
Through her journey, Starr Winburn continues to inspire us all through her unwavering dedication and enduring commitment to the students who walk through her classroom doors.