Sara teaches the “Certificate in Deaf Studies: Teaching New Zealand Sign Language” and NZSL undergraduate courses. She is a member of the Deaf Studies Research Unit.

Sara is a leader in developing high quality NZSL teaching and learning materials. She authored Learn NZSL, an e-learning NZSL website for beginner NZSL learners nationwide (2017), and TeachSign website, an information and resource online hub for NZSL teachers (2014). She led the development of a nationwide NZSL Level 1 (2015) and Level 2 (2020) curriculum. Sara was one of the Compilation Editors for the Online Dictionary of New Zealand Sign Language (2011) and she has been involved with some NZSL-related research over the years.

Sara was a recipient of the 2025 Excellence in Teaching Award (VUW), 2025 & 2024 Outstanding Lecturer Award (VUW Student Association), 2020 Values Award (NZ Sign Language Teachers Association), 2019 Equity and Diversity Award (Graduate Women Wellington), 2018 NZSL in the Media Award, 2015 NZSL Champion Award, and 2008 NZSL Teaching Award (NZSL Awards, Deaf Aotearoa). She is currently a member of New Zealand Sign Language Teachers Association, a board member of Wellington Deaf Society and a member of World Sign Language Teachers ad hoc committee. She was one of the founding members of the New Zealand Sign Language Board.