M.A., Educational Leadership, Western Michigan University
B.A., Special Education, Hope College
Research Interests
My primary research interests are examining effective interventions in math and science for 消消犯s with learning disabilities and analyzing inclusive educational frameworks to support a range of learners. I am working on an ongoing project with Talawanda and Hamilton Public Schools. I would love to pursue collaboration with any 消消犯s or faculty members interested in these areas. Please contact me for more information.
In the News
Miami-Talawanda Math Club Puts the “Fun” in Fundamentals - with Sarah Watt
In this podcast episode, we get a look inside an after-school tutoring program that brings together local middle school, struggling 6th graders, their teachers, and college 消消犯s studying to become teachers, while also actually managing to benefit everyone involved.
This process not only helps struggling middle school 消消犯s receive the focused one-on-one support they need, but it also helps the Miami special education majors prepare for a rapidly changing educational environment, one they must soon navigate as professional teachers themselves.
Publications
Watt, S. J., Locke, J., & Fesenmyer, A (2025). Developing understanding of fraction magnitude among sixth graders with math difficulties. Learning Disabilities Research & Practice.
Watt, S.J. & Abbitt, J. (2023). Pre-Service teachers’ noticing of High Leverage Practices within Virtual Field Experiences. Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education, 2(23).
Watt, S.J. (Accepted with Minor Revisions). Developing 消消犯 agency to increase access to the inclusive mathematics classroom. Mathematical Thinking and Learning.
Watt, S.J. & Lee, C. (Under Review). Using math sorts to increase math vocabulary acquisition and math talk. Teaching Exceptional Children.
Watt, S.J. (In Development). Examining the implementation of Science of Reading in IHEs
Abbitt, J., & Watt, S. (2020). Exploring LMS User Activity Data and Performance Measures from Virtual Field Experience Online Modules for Preservice Teachers. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, 28(3), 487-517.
Watt, S., Conoyer, S., Ford, J. W., Foegen, A., & Luckey, G. (2020). Raising the Power of Curriculum-Based Measurement Tools in Preservice Training. Teacher Education and Special Education, 0888406420916829.
Abbit, J., Watt, S.J., Boone, B. (2018). Comparing instructional models in hybrid courses. Journal of Interactive Online Learning. Acceptance Rate: 25%; SJR: Quartile 2; H-Index: 29. Contribution: 20
Presentations
Watt, S.J., Cosmah, M., & Broebeck, D. (2025). The power of inter-university collaboration and the advancement of faculty in SoR. Lecture at the Original Lilly Conference, Oxford, OH.
Watt, S.J., & Cosmah, M. (2025). A tale of two curricula: A six month realignment of literacy coursework. Lecture at the Ohio Dean’s Compact Conference, Columbus, OH.
Watt, S., Hajjar, H., Raslich, M., Siesel, M. & Liaros, S. Using equity to promote agency, equity, and concept acquisition in mathematics. Poster at the Council for Exceptional Children National Convention, Louisville, KY., March, 2023.
Watt, S. & Johnson, A. Rethinking how we use AI in teacher preparation. Teacher Education Division National Convention, Long Beach, CA, November 2023.
Watt, S.J. & Abbitt, J. (January 2022). Developing Teachers Identification of High Leverage Practices Through Virtual Field Experiences. Lecture at the National Council for Exceptional Children Convention, Orlando, FL.
Watt, S.J., Reisheinski, L, & Fligner, C. (January 2022). High Leverage Practices in High School Math: Strategies to Foster Successful Inclusion. Lecture at the National Council for Exceptional Children Convention, Orlando, FL.
Watt, S.J. (November 2022). Diversifying the Educator Workforce: A Paraprofessional to Teacher Pipeline. Lecture at the Teacher Education Division, Richmond, VA.
External and Internal Funding
IMTSS Dean’s Compact Grant $10,000
Miami Women’s Giving Circle: Unlocking the Joy of Reading $18,500
SoR Alignment Grant $6,000
Year 2: Ohio Department of Education Tutoring Grant (Cosmah et al.) $371,295.07
Ohio Department of Education Tutoring Grant (Cosmah et al.) $500,000
