I am a creative and driven educator that loves to learn, gain skills, and make a difference in the lives of students, teams and organizations. I am dedicated to creating and assessing meaningful learning experiences, and helping young adults and professionals explore a meaningful career suited to their talents and life purpose. I also love helping organizations find opportunities to be more efficient, successful, and in tune with their goals.
I believe that learning is a journey; one that helps us discover ourselves, explore our purpose in life, and can make a difference. I think learning has the capacity to change our lives for the better and help make our world a better place. Perhaps most importantly, I feel like learning gives us something to strive for, to be excited about, and a gateway to explore our interests - many we may not have even known were there. All of this is why I work in post-secondary education, as well as coach and consult, where I not only support others in their own learning, but I have the pleasure of doing it along with them.
After several years of working in higher education, program assessment, curricular design, and strengths-based career coaching are aspects of the student experience I enjoy the most and have gained expertise. I lead with a philosophy that each individual at every institution is an educator contributing to a student's learning environment and the overall student experience, and that organizations have opportunities to consistently find ways to improve culture, efficiency and success. I believe an educator (coach, facilitator, trainer, conversationalist) has a true purpose and passion for their work and a vision to continuously improve helps shape intentional learning opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom, the boardroom, and the department. From my experience, the best way to do this is by understanding how you can continuously develop yourself professionally and become familiar with relevant theories and approaches. This philosophy, complemented by my professional experience in both the co-curricular and academic realms of education, private consulting, and certifications in a strengths-based approach, allow me to support other educators, teams and organizations looking to explore their potential and purpose, and integrate meaningful and measurable assessment practices. After all, we all have the opportunity to be learners ourselves and be curious about new approaches, ideas, and ways to continuously improve our students', clients, employees, or teammates' experience.
In addition to my work in training and assessment, I am also a certified career and life coach. Helping young adults and professionals find a career path that is fulfilling and directly connected to their personality, interests and natural talents is inspiring to me. Whether it be one-on-one career coaching, academic program explorational, resume and cover letter workshops, or mock interview preparation, helping create a road map to a successful career is one of my favourite parts of my work. This passion, along with my combination of training and experience, assists me in supporting individuals in better understanding their own purpose and talents, and identify academic programs that will help them prepare for a meaningful and fulfilling career. This knowledge and experience also helps me support departments and organizations be more effective, integrate a strengths-based approach to their work, and use more intentional assessment and program review methods to improve their work and working relationships.
And of course, I love to DIY. From graphic design to wall decor, I love having an idea and seeing it come to life. Not surprisingly, after making my very first diaper cake for a colleague 6 years ago, I was hooked! Ever since, I've been enjoying helping colleagues, friends and family surprise parents-to-be with beautiful, meaningful and personalized baby gifts.
I believe that learning is a journey; one that helps us discover ourselves, explore our purpose in life, and can make a difference. I think learning has the capacity to change our lives for the better and help make our world a better place. Perhaps most importantly, I feel like learning gives us something to strive for, to be excited about, and a gateway to explore our interests - many we may not have even known were there. All of this is why I work in post-secondary education, as well as coach and consult, where I not only support others in their own learning, but I have the pleasure of doing it along with them.
After several years of working in higher education, program assessment, curricular design, and strengths-based career coaching are aspects of the student experience I enjoy the most and have gained expertise. I lead with a philosophy that each individual at every institution is an educator contributing to a student's learning environment and the overall student experience, and that organizations have opportunities to consistently find ways to improve culture, efficiency and success. I believe an educator (coach, facilitator, trainer, conversationalist) has a true purpose and passion for their work and a vision to continuously improve helps shape intentional learning opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom, the boardroom, and the department. From my experience, the best way to do this is by understanding how you can continuously develop yourself professionally and become familiar with relevant theories and approaches. This philosophy, complemented by my professional experience in both the co-curricular and academic realms of education, private consulting, and certifications in a strengths-based approach, allow me to support other educators, teams and organizations looking to explore their potential and purpose, and integrate meaningful and measurable assessment practices. After all, we all have the opportunity to be learners ourselves and be curious about new approaches, ideas, and ways to continuously improve our students', clients, employees, or teammates' experience.
In addition to my work in training and assessment, I am also a certified career and life coach. Helping young adults and professionals find a career path that is fulfilling and directly connected to their personality, interests and natural talents is inspiring to me. Whether it be one-on-one career coaching, academic program explorational, resume and cover letter workshops, or mock interview preparation, helping create a road map to a successful career is one of my favourite parts of my work. This passion, along with my combination of training and experience, assists me in supporting individuals in better understanding their own purpose and talents, and identify academic programs that will help them prepare for a meaningful and fulfilling career. This knowledge and experience also helps me support departments and organizations be more effective, integrate a strengths-based approach to their work, and use more intentional assessment and program review methods to improve their work and working relationships.
And of course, I love to DIY. From graphic design to wall decor, I love having an idea and seeing it come to life. Not surprisingly, after making my very first diaper cake for a colleague 6 years ago, I was hooked! Ever since, I've been enjoying helping colleagues, friends and family surprise parents-to-be with beautiful, meaningful and personalized baby gifts.
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
I completed my Honours Bachelor of Arts (HBA) in History, with a minor in English and French at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, ON. I also completed my Master of Education with a focus in student retention and assessment at Memorial University of Newfoundland. I am now pursuing a Doctorate degree in Organizational Psychology to continue to improve the experience at my own institution, and help others improve their work as well.
In 2017, I completed my Certificate of Career and Academic Advising from the University of Calgary, along with the requirements of a Certified Resume Strategist (CRS). Most recently I became a Certified Professional Life Coach, with a specialized focus in life purpose and goal setting, as well as a Certified Gallup CliftonStrengths Coach.
Certified Gallup CliftonStrengths Coach from Gallup, Inc. (2018).
Certified Professional Life Coach (specializing in Life Purpose and Goal Setting) from Transformation Academy (2018).
Career and Academic Advising Certificate from the University of Calgary (2017).
Masters of Education (Post-Secondary Studies) from Memorial University of Newfoundland (2016).
Honours Bachelor of Arts (History, English & French) from Lakehead University (2012).
Certified Gallup CliftonStrengths Coach from Gallup, Inc. (2018).
Certified Professional Life Coach (specializing in Life Purpose and Goal Setting) from Transformation Academy (2018).
Career and Academic Advising Certificate from the University of Calgary (2017).
Masters of Education (Post-Secondary Studies) from Memorial University of Newfoundland (2016).
Honours Bachelor of Arts (History, English & French) from Lakehead University (2012).
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
My professional experience spans almost eight years and three institutions: Lakehead University, Humber College, and Carleton University. Throughout my various professional roles, I have always been passionate about working with students, particularly within the areas of academic and co-curriucular learning and development, assessment, leadership training and career exploration. I have many years of experience training faculty, staff and students, as well as, supporting young adults with career exploration and development though one-on-one coaching.
ENTREPRENEURIAL EXPERIENCE
In 2016, I launched Diaper Cakes by Sara.
My first diaper cake was designed and created for a colleague's baby shower, and my work with cakes has since taken off into a hobby. The beauty of diaper cakes is that they can be customized for the parents-to-be: colour, theme, gender, or size.
That same year, my colleague and I also formally created Pathways Educational & Career Coaching, a consulting business designed to help individuals, teams and organizations integrate a strengths-based approach to team development, project success, and create a positive workplace culture.
My first diaper cake was designed and created for a colleague's baby shower, and my work with cakes has since taken off into a hobby. The beauty of diaper cakes is that they can be customized for the parents-to-be: colour, theme, gender, or size.
That same year, my colleague and I also formally created Pathways Educational & Career Coaching, a consulting business designed to help individuals, teams and organizations integrate a strengths-based approach to team development, project success, and create a positive workplace culture.