Associate Professor Sue Westraad
Associate Professor of Education; Head of School of EducationContact Sue Westraad
Sue started her career as a School Counsellor and Senior English Teacher in South Africa. Following this she moved into roles where she was able to contribute towards leveling the education landscape in post-apartheid South Africa. This included a role as Director of a not-for-profit organisation affiliated to St Andrews College and the Diocesan Schools for Girls which provided a pathway for young people from historically disadvantaged communities to enter and succeed in these prestigious schools. In her role as Education Program Director with the General Motors South Africa Foundation she developed and piloted key education projects that addressed areas such as literacy, teacher development, curriculum design and bridging young people into higher education. In this role she researched, piloted and facilitated school leadership programs which supported school leaders transform the quality of teaching and learning in their schools.
Sue's PhD thesis focused on a school evaluation and development model that contributed to the way in which the Department of Education undertook work in this area with schools. She has also been a member of national business studies curriculum writing teams, standards generating bodies and written Year 10 to 12 Business Studies textbooks. Much of her work has involved implementing education policy at a grassroots level and using these experiences to inform future policy development and implementation. The American Chamber of Commerce awarded one of her programs both the Highest Education Award and the overall Star of Star award for the best program.
Sue’s publications have contributed to the Faith-Based Education research cluster.
Qualifications
Ph.D. (Education) (Rhodes University)
Dissertation Title An investigation of the key mechanisms that promote whole school development in a secondary school pilot project
2007
Masters in Higher Education (Stellenbosch University) 2002
Grad Cert (Executive Coaching) (ACAP) 2021
Bachelor of Arts (Rhodes University) 1988
Higher Diploma in Secondary Education (Rhodes University) 1989
Cert IV TAE (Plenty Training) 2019
Research Interests
- Educational and academic leadership
- Initial teacher education
- Student wellbeing
- Online teaching and learning.
- School transformation and development in contexts where schools have limited access to resources and support.
Field of Research
Specialist Studies in EducationBook Chapters
-
2024
- Westraad, S; Mathews, J; Munday, C (2024). Creating Shared Spaces: A Collaborative Partnership Model that Prepares Initial Teacher Education Students for Effective Practice In Green, C; Eady, M, Creating, Sustaining, and Enhancing Purposeful School-University Partnerships (pp. ). Springer.
Edited Books
-
2012
- Westraad, S (2012). Backpackers: equipping young teens for the journey of life – a lifeskills programme.
- Westraad, S (2012). Personal & Professional Leadership Development Programme – a programme for school leadership development.
-
2007
- Westraad, S (2007). Ready for Success – a life skills programme for Year 10 to Year 12 students.
-
2002
- Du Plooy, P; Westraad, S (2002). Models for best practice: conference proceedings.
Internal and External Grants
-
2024
- AC Conference Funding, $2000, AC
- Collaborative Research Grant, $5000, AC
-
2023
- AC Conference Funding, $2000, AC
- Collaborative Research Grant, $5000, AC
Presentations
-
2012
- Making school improvement a manageable and sustainable process from school to district level (2012), Basic Education Conference, Durban, 01 Jul 2012
-
2007
- An investigation of the key mechanisms that initiate, support and sustain development and change in South African schools (2007), Education & Management Association of Southern Africa, Education & Management Association of Southern Africa, 01 Jul 2007
Engagement Publications
Books
-
2014
- Westraad, S. (2014). The Learning Schools Initiative Overview and Supporting Model Implementation Guidelines. GM South Africa Foundation: Port Elizabeth.
- Westraad, S. (2014). The Learning Schools Initiative Evaluation and Planning Instruments. GM South Africa Foundation: Port Elizabeth.
-
2011
- Westraad, S. (2011). Changing schools in challenging contexts: the documentation of a whole school development journey. GM South Africa Foundation.
-
2007
- Westraad, S; du Plooy, P. (2007). Business Studies: Getting Ready for Business. Grade 12 Textbook. Juta Gariep.
- Westraad, S; du Plooy, P. (2007). Business Studies: Getting Ready for Business. Grade 12 Teacher's Guide. Juta Gariep.
-
2004
- Euvrard, G; Westraad, S. (2004). Educational Management, module 1: developing effective schools. Department of Education.
-
2003
- Westraad, S. (2003). Designing outcomes based learning programmes. Knowledge Resources.
Other Publications
-
2013
- Westraad, S. Kurgan, J, and Soper, P. (2013). Teaching Reading: DVD-based programme to assist Foundation Phase teachers (Year 1 to Year 3) understand the basics of teaching reading.
-
2012
- Westraad, S; Du Plooy, P (2012). Findings on the investigation of a needs analysis of local economic development officials in the Amathole District Municipality.
-
2011
- Westraad, S; Du Plooy, P (2011). Findings on the investigation and evaluation of the training, education and development needs of local economic development officials in the Eastern Cape Local Government.
Current Supervision
-
Current
- Durham, D, What are the mentoring needs and opportunities of primary school music teachers in Western Australia? (PhD thesis)
- Norman, T, "Teachers' Voices: An Exploration of How Well-being Interventions Affect Teacher Well-being in Faith based schools" (Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Honours))
- Arthur, S, Inquiry into teachers’ preparedness working with students who have neurodiverse needs (MPhil thesis)
- Dinale, J, Christian Rites of Passage Programs in Educational Settings: Identity Formation Among Adolescents (PhD thesis)
- Lobsey, B, The impact of integrative HUB models of pre-service teacher training on levels of self efficacy, integrative intrinsic motivation and teacher identity formation. (PhD thesis)
If you’d like to contact Sue, you can use the form below.
If you’d like a reply, please include your return email address in the box provided.