Sara is a Haida educator and scholar who has a PhD in Literacy Education from the University of British Columbia. Her research has focused upon the use of autobiographical and narrative writing to engage in the writing process and to explore identities, as well as the mandating of Indigenous content in the curriculum. She has also explored ways to merge the strengths of Indigenous and non-Indigenous pedagogical practices. Currently she is an Assistant Professor in the Teacher Education Department at the University of the Fraser Valley. She is also the project lead on the Indigenous Storybooks project where she is exploring how traditional Indigenous stories can be used to strengthen text-based and Indigenous literacy practices.
She has worked as an educator with adolescents in the K-12 system for close to a decade in both British Columbia and Yukon Territory. She also has experience at the post-secondary level working with Fundamental Adult Learners. More recently, she has worked with teacher candidates and practicing teachers to bring Indigenous content, perspectives, and pedagogies into their classrooms – particularly in the area of English Language Arts.
Much of her classroom experience has been working with Indigenous students in a rural setting and with students who are making the transition from rural communities to urban centres to complete their education.
Sara is also a co-editor for English Practice, a peer-reviewed professional journal put out by BCTELA (British Columbia Teachers of English Language Arts).
Banner Photograph by Ulli Steltzer/Headshot by Farah Nosh