Jackie Sacks holds a BS degree in Dance Education and English from Illinois State University and an MS degree in Dance from the University of Oregon. In 2003, she was awarded a Surdna Foundation fellowship to study flamenco in Spain.

From 2001-04 Mrs. Sacks was the President of the Dance Educators Association of Washington. Since 1998, she has taught at Vancouver School of Arts and Academics in Vancouver, WA. She was awarded a grant from the Dizzy Feet Foundation to support free dance education in public schools and continues to engage in arts advocacy by advising and writing dance standards and assessments for the state of Washington. She enjoys collaborating, interdisciplinary explorations, and supporting opportunities with professional artists to further her students’ experiences. In partnership with Portland, OR presenters White Bird, school guest artists have included Kyle Abraham and Abraham in Motion, Hubbard Street, Lar Lubovitch Co, Dayton Contemporary, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Co, and the Graham Dance Co. Vancouver School of Arts and Academics dancers have gone on to dance on Broadway, for Nederlands Dans Theater I & II, Northwest Dance Theatre, Bodyvox, numerous ballet companies, theme parks and cruise ships. Many are now amazing dance teachers!