An award-winning high school English teacher, Syd brings his teaching expertise to the world of storytelling. He has performed and taught in schools across America and has served as storyteller-in-residence at numerous colleges. Syd has also taught in a variety of venues, including:
- Smithsonian Institution
- Syd taught in their Word of Mouth program for educators. He returned to perform in Storytelling: America's Master Storytellers Come to the Smithsonian.
- Kennedy Center
- Syd participated in the center's professional development program for teachers.
- Disney World
- Writers, directors, and imagineers attended Syd's workshops.
- Chicago History Museum
- Syd co-directs the Golden Apple Foundation's annual summer workshop at the museum, where teachers learn storytelling techniques to teach Mexican history and culture.
- In addition, Syd runs popular storytelling workshops for lawyers, doctors, hospice workers, and clergy.