Phone: (620) 947-3121 ext. 1238
Sarah Tham portrait

Education

  • Ph.D, Curriculum and Teaching (Literacy), University of Kansas
  • M.S., Psychology and Research in Education, University of Kansas
  • B.Ed, (Hons) Teaching English as a Second Language, University of Exeter, United Kingdom

Professional Background

  • Assistant Professor of Education, Tabor College-present
  • Freshman Orientation Seminar, University of Kansas- 2019-2020
  • International Orientation Coordinator, Academic Accelerator Program, University of Kansas, 2019-2020
  • Student Advisor, Academic Accelerator Program, University of Kansas, 2019-2020
  • Teaching College Experience: C&T448 Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 2013
  • Graduate Research Assistant at the University of Kansas , 2012-2019
    • Inclusive Digital Era Collaborative Focusing on Students with Disabilities (iDEC), Center for Research on Learning (CRL)
    • e-Learning Research Collaborative (eRC), CRL
    • Office of Child Welfare & Children’s Mental Health, School of Social Welfare
    • Center for Public Partnership & Research
    • Kansas Institute of Positive Behavior Support
    • Center for Educational Testing and Evaluation
  • Teacher (Teaching English as a Second Language-TESL),   1998-2010
    • SMK Bukit Nanas, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    • SMK Datok Lokman, Kg. Pandan, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    • SMK Selirik, Kapit, Sarawak, Malaysia
  • English Instructor, 1998-2010
    • Police Academy, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    • ERICAN English Center, Malaysia
    • Cambridge Learning Center, Malaysia
    • SEDAYA University College
  • National trainer Malaysian University English Test, Malaysia, 2005-2010
  • National Examiner
    • Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia National Examinations, 1999-2010
    • Malaysian University English Test, 2000-2010
  • Teacher Trainer
    • Penilaian Menengah Rendah National Examinations, 2000-2008
    • Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia National Examinations, 2000-2005
    • Malaysian University English Test, 2008-2010
  • Cooperating teacher to student teachers, SMK Datok Lokman, Kg. Pandan, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2002-2009

 

Professional Service

  • Lexia LETRS® (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) certified
  • Editor, Directions
  • Sponsor and Advisor, Confluence Conference, 2023, Missouri Baptist University
  • Competition Judge- Creative Lecture Middle/High & Higher Ed, 2022 Educators Rising National Conference, Washington D.C. 22-24 June 2022.
  • KU Undergraduate Research Symposium, 2020
  • Undergraduate Research Poster Competition, 2018
  • Parent and Reading Committee (KRA), 2014-2015
  • Outstanding KS Reading Educator Committee (KRA), 2013-2014
  • Reviewer for Kansas Reading Association Journal, 2013-2022
  • Reviewer Literacy Research Association Journal, 2014-present

Membership in Professional Organization

  • Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers, 2023-present
  • Literacy Research Association, 2013-present
  • Kansas Reading Association, 2013-2017

Awards and Honors

  • 2022-23 Clarence R. Hiebert Excellence in Teaching Award Winner
  • University of Kansas, International Support Services, International Leader April 2020
  • Fulbright Scholar, (M. S. Psychology and Research in Education, University of Kansas, 2010-2012
  • Ann Weiner Hannah & Elaine Samuel Vellejos Scholarship in Education, 2013
  • National Excellent Teacher Award (Malaysia), 2005, 2008
  • International Leadership Educators Program Scholarship, (US State Department), 2008

Conferences

  • Presenter, Fulbright Association 47th Annual Conference, October 18-19, 2024. “At the Crossroads of Faith and Profession”
  • Presenter: “Investing in Rubrics for the Long-Run,” Annual Conference of the Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers, Santa Fe, N.M., Nov. 11, 2023
  • Presenter “Building Resilience for the Future”, 2022 Educators Rising National Conference, Washington D.C. 22-24 June 2022.
  • Participant at University of Kansas School of Education Research and Teaching Conference, Lawrence, Kansas, 14 Feb, 2020
  • Presented at Building Bridges for English Language Center Conference Topeka, Kansas, December 2019
  • Participant at 69th International Literary Research Conference, Tampa, FL December 2019
  • Presented at 15th Annual Graduate Student Research Conference, Lawrence, Kansas, February 2019
  • Participant at 2018 L2 Digital Literacies (L2DL) Symposium, Arizona, October 2018
  • Presented at 2017 University of Kansas Center for Research and Learning Conference, Lawrence, Kansas, July 2017
  • Presented at 15th Hawaii International Conference on Education, January 2017
  • Presented at 66th International Literary Research Conference, Nashville, Tennessee, Dec 2016
  • Presented at 65th International Literary Research Conference, Carlsbad, California, Dec 2015
  • Presented at 64th International Literary Research Conference, Marco Island, Florida, Dec 2014

Publications

  • Tham, S. (2023) “Jesus Our Teacher” Directions 52:2
  • Y.S. Tham (2023). Modul Interaktif English (CEF-aligned) Book A and Book B Teacher’s Manual. Selangor, Malaysia: Cemerlang Publications Sdn. Bhd.
  • Tham, S. Y.S. (2022). Unexpected Journey into Academia: Into the Great Plains. In Amy Broemmel & Nora Vines (Eds.) Teacher Reflections on Transitioning from K012 to Higher Education Classrooms (pp.348-367). IGI Global.
  • Tham, Sarah Y.S. (2022). Functional Literacy and Trauma. Journal of Pedagogical Dialogue, 39. Kazakhthan: Center of Pedagogical Excellence of the AOE “Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools” (NIS).
  • Tham, Sarah Y.S (2021) “The Rationale for Helping Teacher Candidates Integrate Self-reflection into Chaotic Schedules,” The Advocate: Vol. 26: No. 2. https://doi.org/10.4148/2637-4552.1158
  • Tham, Y.S. S. (2019). Self-reflection? Have you seen my schedule? Reframing Self-reflection for the Busy Teacher. Oklahoma Reader, 55(2), 52-54.
  • Perry, K. H., Shaw, D. M., Ivanyuk, L., & Tham, Y. S. S. (2018). The “Ofcourseness” of Functional Literacy: Ideologies in Adult Literacy. Journal of Literacy Research, 50(1), 74-96.
  • Shaw, D., Perry, K. H., Ivanyuk, L., & Tham, S. (2017). Who Researches Functional Literacy?. Community Literacy Journal, 11(2), 43-64.
  • Perry, K. H., Shaw, D. M., Ivanyuk, L., & Tham, Y. S. S. (2017). Adult functional literacy: Prominent themes, glaring omissions, and future directions. Journal of Language and Literacy Education, 13(2), 1-37.
  • Shaw, D. M., Hogle, J., Koch, J., & Tham, S. Y. S. (2015) Factors that Influenced the Experience of Adult Learners who prepared for their GED Online. Journal of Research & Practice for Adult Literacy, Secondary, and Basic Education.
  • Mendenhall, A. & Tham, S. Y. S. (2014). Cornerstones of Care Nurse Case Management Program Evaluation: Community Survey Report, May 2014, Center for Children & Families, School of Social Welfare, University of Kansas.
  • Mendenhall, A. & Tham, S. Y. S. (2014). Cornerstones of Care Nurse Case Management Program Evaluation: Mental Health and Medicine,  Workshop Evaluation, August 2014, Center for Children & Families, School of Social Welfare, University of Kansas.
  • Mendenhall, A. & Tham, S. Y. S. (2014).  Kansas Evaluation of Youth Mental Health First Aid Family & Consumer Science Courses 2014, Center for Children & Families, School of Social Welfare, University of Kansas.
  • Mendenhall, A. N. & Tham, S. (2015). Cornerstones of Care Nurse Case Management Program Evaluation: Community Survey Report, December 2015. Center for Children and Families, School of Social Welfare, University of Kansas.