Basic Information
| Full Name | Sara Delano Roosevelt Whitney di Bonaventura Wilford |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 13, 1932 |
| Place of Birth | Boston, Massachusetts, USA |
| Parents | James Roosevelt & Betsey Cushing Roosevelt Whitney |
| Education | M.S. in Education (Art of Teaching), Sarah Lawrence College M.A. in Child Development, Sarah Lawrence College |
| Major Roles | Faculty, Sarah Lawrence College (1982–2014) Director, Early Childhood Center (1982–2003) Founder & Director, Art of Teaching Graduate Program (1985–2014) |
| Key Publications | Tough Topics: Using Books to Talk with Children about Life Issues What You Need to Know When Your Child Is Learning to Read Nurturing Young Children’s Disposition to Learn |
Early Life & Family Heritage
Born on March 13, 1932, in Boston, Massachusetts, Sara Wilford was heir to a storied American legacy. As the daughter of James Roosevelt—son of President Franklin D. Roosevelt—and Betsey Cushing Roosevelt Whitney, she spent her youth immersed in a household where public service and intellectual curiosity were prized. Her grandmother, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, instilled in Sara an awareness of social responsibility that would later inform her work in education. Sara’s early exposure to political discourse and community outreach laid the foundation for a lifetime dedicated to supporting children and teachers.
Academic Formation & Career Milestones
After completing her undergraduate studies, Sara pursued graduate education at Sarah Lawrence College, earning an M.S. in Education (Art of Teaching) followed by an M.A. in Child Development. These credentials equipped her with both theoretical insight and practical pedagogical techniques. In 1982, she joined Sarah Lawrence’s psychology faculty, where she introduced innovative approaches to early childhood theory, emphasizing the importance of play, creativity, and emotional intelligence.
That same year, she assumed directorship of the College’s Early Childhood Center, a pioneering on-campus lab preschool that served dual purposes: training future educators and conducting applied research. Under her leadership from 1982 to 2003, the center grew into a model program, integrating family partnerships and cross-disciplinary collaboration. In 1985, Sara launched the Art of Teaching graduate program—one of the first master’s degree tracks to blend artistic practice with teacher training—and guided it until her retirement in 2014.
Publications, Awards & Professional Contributions
Sara Wilford authored several influential books that provided practitioners with concrete strategies for addressing children’s developmental challenges. Her volume Tough Topics: How to Use Books in Talking with Children about Life Issues and Problems offers age-appropriate ways to discuss grief, conflict, and diversity. In What You Need to Know When Your Child Is Learning to Read, she distilled decades of classroom insight into accessible guidance for parents. Her monograph Nurturing Young Children’s Disposition to Learn argues that fostering curiosity and resilience is as vital as teaching academic skills.
Recognition of her impact came through multiple honors: the Outstanding Service Award from Westchester Community College in 1999, the Champions for Children Leader of the Year Award in 2009, and an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Sarah Lawrence College in May 2020. Through her co-founding of the Child Development Institute in 1989, Sara extended professional development to thousands of teachers and parents across the region.
Public Image, Influence & Networks
Although Sara Wilford maintained no social-media presence, her reputation spread through word-of-mouth among educators and families. She was celebrated for her gentle mentorship, keen listening skills, and ability to translate developmental theory into everyday practice. Colleagues recall her gracious leadership at conferences and her insistence that teaching be approached as both art and science.
Her collaborative work intersected with diverse leaders in education and philanthropy, from university deans to trustees of cultural institutions. Among her contemporaries was Stanley Grafton Mortimer Iii, whose own service on nonprofit boards reflected a shared commitment to community enrichment. Such networks amplified Sara’s reach, enabling her to advocate for policy changes and secure funding for innovative teacher-training initiatives.
Legacy & Recent Tributes
Sara Wilford passed away on October 22, 2021, leaving behind a robust pedagogical framework that continues to shape early childhood education. In the weeks following her death, Sarah Lawrence College published extensive tributes detailing her three-decade tenure as faculty and program director. Alumni testimonials praised her unwavering support, noting that many of today’s school leaders first found their passion under her guidance.
The College’s website hosts a digital archive of Sara’s lectures, seminars, and interviews—resources that remain in high demand among graduate students and professional educators. Annual conferences in her honor spotlight emerging research on play-based learning and social-emotional development, ensuring that her vision endures in classrooms worldwide.
FAQ
What were Sara Wilford’s main contributions to early childhood education?
Sara Wilford pioneered the Art of Teaching graduate program and directed an on-campus lab preschool, integrating research and teacher training from 1982 to 2003.
Which books did she author?
She wrote Tough Topics, What You Need to Know When Your Child Is Learning to Read, and Nurturing Young Children’s Disposition to Learn, all aimed at practical strategies for educators and parents.
What awards did Sara Wilford receive?
Her honors include the Outstanding Service Award (Westchester Community College, 1999), Champions for Children Leader of the Year (2009), and an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters (Sarah Lawrence College, 2020).
When did she retire from Sarah Lawrence College?
Sara Wilford retired in 2014 after over three decades of teaching, program direction, and institutional leadership.
How can I access her lectures and resources?
Sarah Lawrence College maintains a digital archive of her recorded lectures, published articles, and seminar materials on its Early Childhood Center website.
