Sara Westhead
School of Education
EdD doctoral research student
Full contact details
School of Education
The Wave
2 Whitham Road
91Ö±²¥
S10 2AH
- Profile
-
Sara is a Teacher-Librarian at the Whitney Institute Middle School in Flatt's, Bermuda. In addition to her work as the school's librarian, she:
- teaches ICT to all year levels and IGCSE English to year 9 students who take the exam two years early
- serves as the Content Teacher Leader for the Electives Department
- assists as an educational technology coach.
She is also a Certified Google Trainer, providing professional development for teachers in Bermuda and around the world, a National Geographic Certified Educator, and an advocate for Autism awareness in education.
- Qualifications
-
Prior to becoming an educator, Sara has worked in marketing, journalism, and youth ministry.
EdD Education - University of 91Ö±²¥, commencing September 2022
PGCE Education - University of Sunderland, June 2017
MSc Library & Information Studies (Merit) - Robert Gordon University, June 2016
Certificate, Advanced Creativity Training for Writers (Writeriffic 2) - College of Global Economics, Earthnet Institute, 2004
Diploma in Copywriting - Institute of Copywriting, 2003
Certificate in Sub-Editing - London School of Journalism, 2002
Certificate in Freelance and Feature Writing - London School of Journalism, 2001
Mandarin Chinese (non-degree) - Hunan Normal University, China, 1998
BSc Religion - Youth Ministry (Summa Cum Laude) - Liberty University, 1996
- Research interests
-
Autism Education - Inclusion, Literacy
Educational Technology
Differentiated Teaching & Learning
Neurodiversity
Value and Impact of School Libraries, Qualified School Librarians
Teacher Development
EdD research focus
I am keenly interested in how school libraries can benefit autistic students, particularly in regard to promoting literacy and social skills. However, I am also passionate about ensuring all classroom teachers, especially those in general education/mainstream classrooms, are equipped to work with neurodiverse students.
Through my experience as both an educator and a parent in the Bermuda Public School System, I have encountered a wide range of attitudes and perspectives on autism, learning differences, 'behavioural challenges', differentiation and disability within our culture. As such, I am looking to explore teacher attitudes towards and receptiveness of neurodiverse students, notably autistic students, within the BPSS through a series of semi-structured interviews with educators at all levels, including preschool, primary, middle and high school.
In order to do this, I also endeavour to look closely at definitions of autism, neurodiversity, disability and behavioural management (i.e. challenging behaviours), particularly in reflection of Bermudian culture and society through a neurodiverse-friendly lens, utilising a phenomenological approach to Narrative Oriented Inquiry (NOI) with a thematic analysis of the data that emerges.
Working Title: Unwanted? Teacher perspectives and receptiveness to autism and neurodiversity in the Bermuda Public School System
- Publications and presentations
Westhead, S. (2022). "Autism in the Classroom" [presentation], RED: Bermuda Union of Teachers 39th Annual Conference. 24 October. Available at: