Sara Palaskas

Highly accomplished educator and researcher with extensive experience in archaeology, classics, and art history. Proven ability to develop and deliver engaging curriculum and educational material for diverse populations, from secondary and university students to the general public. Possesses a strong background in historical and cultural analysis, including ancient civilizations, art history, and mythology.

Adept at managing academic programs and conducting in-depth research, with a demonstrated commitment to fostering student understanding and academic excellence. Passionate about making history, archaeology, and art accessible and inspirational to the public at large. Native speaker in Modern Greek, proficient and conversant in French, German, and Spanish.

Lecturer - California State University

(2025 - 2025)

Delivered instruction on Greek Mythology as part of the Comparative Literature and Classics Department curriculum

Teacher - The Viewpoint School

(2023 - 2025)

Developed and delivered curriculum for the Social Sciences department, encompassing Ancient World History and Modern World History. Served as the Global Scholars Advisor, guiding students through interdisciplinary global studies.

Teacher - The Buckley School

(2014 - 2023)

Developed and delivered curriculum for Ancient World History, AP Art History, and Ancient Greek. Cultivated student understanding of historical contexts and artistic movements through comprehensive course content.

Research Assistant - Getty Research Institute

(2011 - 2014)

Collaborated with international academics on research endeavors encompassing the Classical world, Egypt, the Levant, Anatolia, and Persia. Leveraged specialized network analysis software and created databases incorporating GPS data. Reviewed and refined texts, lectures, and presentations for publication. Worked with photographic assets, utilizing Photoshop for editing purposes.

Instructor, Interim Assistant Director - Hellenic Academy at St. Sophia Cathedral

(2010 - 2014)

Taught Advanced Greek courses, preparing students for the Certificate for Attainment of Greek. Assumed responsibilities as Interim Assistant Director from 2010 to 2011, overseeing administrative functions.

Instructor - Beverly Hills Lingual Institute

(2005 - 2013)

Developed and implemented curriculum for Modern Greek language instruction, catering to adult students at all proficiency levels from beginner to advanced.

Lecturer - CalState Northridge

(2008 - 2008)

Developed and delivered lectures for Anthropology 428, Old World Archaeology, providing a comprehensive survey of archaeological research across Africa, Southwest Asia, and Europe.

Lecturer/Teaching Fellow - University of California at Los Angeles

(2005 - 2005)

Taught Classics 10, an Introduction to Ancient Greek Culture, engaging students with the foundational elements of classical civilization.

Archaeology Specialist - BBC/Discovery Channel

(2003 - 2003)

Provided expert research and delivered on-camera interviews for a documentary focused on ancient athleticism, contributing scholarly insights to the production.

Instructor - University of Georgia Summer Program in Greece

(2001 - 2001)

Led a course on Introduction to Greek Archaeology, integrating lectures, site visits, and practical field experience for students.

Guest Lecturer - Royal Olympic Cruises

(2000 - 2002)

Delivered engaging lectures on archaeological and historical subjects pertaining to the Eastern Mediterranean to diverse audiences.

Teaching Assistant/Teaching Fellow - University of California at Los Angeles

(1999 - 2006)

Facilitated learning for

• Anthropology 8, Archaeology: An Introduction (Winter 2005, under P. Jeffery Brantingham)
• Supported instruction for Classics 10, Introduction to Ancient Greek Culture (Fall 1999, with Sarah Morris; Spring 2000, with David Dodd; Winter 2001, with Sander Goldberg).
• Assisted in teaching Classics 20, Discovering the Romans (Winter 2004, with Andrew Dyke; Fall 2006, with Robert Gurval).
• Provided teaching assistance for Classics 30, Introduction to Classical Mythology (Winter 2000, with Trevor Fear; Spring 2001, Spring 2004 & Fall 2004, with Kathryn Morgan).

Reader - University of California at Los Angeles

(1999 - 1999)

Assessed and graded student work for Art History 151, Hellenistic Art and Archaeology (with Susan Downey).

Personal Assistant - Sandy Elster and Ernestine Elster

(1998 - 2006)

Assisted Sandy Elster with philanthropic work, including mail campaigns and telephone outreach. Assisted Ernestine Elster with library organization and other personal assistant tasks.

Research assistant and editor - University of Memphis

(1996 - 1997)

Supported Dr. Albert Watanabe’s research project and provided editorial assistance. (Heavy use of ancient Greek.)

International Sales Administrative Assistant - Aerospace Products International

(1995 - 1996)

Supported the international sales team with tasks including sourcing parts, telephone outreach (especially in Spanish), invoicing, and general organization and administrative tasks.

Administrative Assistant/Receptionist - Container company through temp agency

(1994 - 1995)

Managed phones, edited and typed correspondence, filing, limited assistance in sales.

Master of Arts and Candidate of Philosophy - Archaeology (Classical) - University of California at Los Angeles (1998 - 2010)

Associate member Fall 2003, Full member - field research in Macedonia - American School of Classical Studies in Athens (2001 - 2002)

Bachelor of Arts - Anthropology and Foreign Languages (double major); Triple concentration in foreign languages: French, German, Spanish - University of Memphis (1994 - 1997)

Irvine Valley College (1992 - 1994)