Sara Westhead

School of Education

EdD doctoral research student

swesthead2@sheffield.ac.uk

Full contact details

Sara Westhead
School of Education
The Wave
2 Whitham Road
ºù«Ӱҵ
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 ºù«Ӱҵ, 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: