About

Prior to her work with Sheffield Hallam University, Naomi worked in Primary schools in England including schools in Birmingham, Nottinghamshire, Peterborough and Sheffield. She taught across the whole Primary and Early Years range (Reception to Year 6) and was a Primary Head Teacher in Nottinghamshire, where she also held the role of SENCO. For some years she worked in an Integrated Resource Unit teaching children with Special Educational Needs.

In her current role as Head of Area for Primary and Early Years Undergraduate Teacher Education, she works closely with trainees and the Sheffield Hallam University staff team, and with mentors in school. She also works closely with senior school partners through the Primary Partnership Management Committee; this liaison informs her strategic leadership of the undergraduate Initial Teacher Education courses (BA and BATL). She leads on English as an Additional Language (EAL) and teaches on a variety of Primary and Early Years modules. Naomi also works with Sheffield Local Authority New Arrivals team and together with colleagues from the city council, hosts an annual EAL conference at Sheffield Hallam University.

Since joining Sheffield Hallam University, Naomi has developed close links with schools in the Netherlands, where she supports BA students on an optional international field trip, deepening understanding of commonalities and differences in each education system. She has delivered CPD in EAL with partnership schools in the Netherlands, both in person and online (during the pandemic).

Teaching

Courses taught
BA (HONS) Early Years and Primary Education (3-7) with Qualified Teacher Status
BA (HONS) Primary Education (5-11) with Qualified Teacher Status
BA (HONS)Teaching and Learning in Primary Education (5-11) with Qualified Teacher Status (2 year top-up)
PGCE Early Years and Primary Education (3-7) with Qualified Teacher Status
PGCE Primary Education (5-11) with Qualified Teacher Status

Modules taught 
Professional Learning (including the role of Academic Adviser)
Inclusion/ Provision for all
Values and Issues in Education
Educational Enquiry

Research

Masters research related to inclusion of marginalised groups, including those with Special Educational Needs.

Naomi’s doctoral research explores the role of translanguaging in supporting learning of pupils for whom English is an Additional Language, in England’s education system. Specifically, her work investigates the lived experience and training of bi/multilingual trainee teachers, seeking to understand the influence of this experience on inclusive pedagogy. Her research explores the intersection of identity, language acquisition, values in education and socio-cultural dynamics.

Other activities

Naomi is currently external examiner with Liverpool University and Norfolk Teacher Training College (NTTC).