Professional Experience:
Greetings! My name is Dr Sarah Sahr and I am a dedicated education professional with over 20 years experience analyzing, designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating a wide range of education and leadership programs in various international contexts. My professional career has taken me all over the world, most notably as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ethiopia and as a traveling school teacher/administrator with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus. In addition, I have taught middle school students in the United States, directed an English language school in Vietnam, trained teachers in South Korea, implemented school reform in Qatar, worked as the Director for Professional Learning & Research at TESOL International Association, and managed an eco-lodge in Ecuador. Currently, I am the English as an Additional Language (EAL) Program Director at the American International School in Chennai, India as well as an English Language Specialist with the U.S. Department of State.
I have flourished as a leader in education. Even as a young volunteer, I was tasked with evaluating and redesigning my secondary school’s English language program and library procedures. Ever since, I have looked for ways to improve numerous education programs and policies, especially for students who are underserved. In order to do this, I am always mission driven. From public schools to virtual learning environments, I thrive on amplifying what a school already has and building what they need in order to grow. I have assisted teachers in adding language targets to all academic units of instruction; aligned the English for Academic Purposes curriculum for grades 3-10; implemented grade level teaching and learning labsites; helped EAL teachers transition into school-wide language development coaches; monitored a cadre of standardized assessments, and; provided guidance and supervision to various types of multi-cultural staff.
My best work comes from providing innovative solution to primary and secondary school challenges. I have reorganized departments in order to better meet the needs of students, led cross-curriculum groups to develop materials for content area classrooms to use when/if an EAL teacher is not in class, and managed various international professional learning activities, including academic research projects, both in-person and virtually. Most important, I never lose sight of deadlines nor deliverables.
In addition, I am able to
>>collaborate with external funders while establishing/maintaining a project’s vision, budget, timeline, and measures of success,
>>hire and train new staff, conduct performance reviews, and guide employees on professional development pathways, and
>>submit complete complicated reports, making modifications as needed, and
>>represent an organization at international events, job fairs, and conferences,
My research interests include online communities of practice/professional learning networks, teacher self-efficacy, combating teacher isolation, co-teaching practices, and translanguaging. I am a certified ashtanga yoga instructor, an avid reader, and a novice runner. I am lucky enough to have an amazing husband and cat who follow me around the world on my crazy adventures.
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. I look forward to exceeding your expectations.