Sharon Sperling

Position: Lecturer
Study area: Bachelor of Community and Human Services
Location: Mt Helen Campus, Room H247
Phone: 5327 6612
Email: s.sperling@federation.edu.au
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-7934-0010

Qualifications

PhD (current) – La Trobe University – 2024

Master of Social Work – Federation University – 2017

Master of Education and Training – Victoria University – 2001

Diploma in Education – Secondary Teaching – La Trobe University – 1993

Bachelor of Arts – Social Science – La Trobe University – 1991

Teaching

Course(s)

  • Bachelor of Community and Human Services

Units

  • CHSUG1001 - Introduction to Community and Human Services
  • CHSUG2001 - Theories and Practice of Group Work
  • CHSUG2004 – Models of Case Management
  • BSWUG2005/CHSUG2005 – Social Policy and Social Change
  • CHSUG3001 - Critical Practice Approaches
  • MSWPG7208 Social Work Field Education 2 – Group supervision

Biography

Sharon is a social worker working in the Institute of Education, Arts and Community. Sharon is an alumnus of Federation University having completed her Master of Social Work degree at the Mt. Helen campus. Sharon has worked in the Victorian education system as a wellbeing officer for the past 12 years. In this time, she developed whole school wellbeing programs as well as worked directly with staff, students, families and the community.

Sharon is the lead associate consultant and trainer for Nurture International in Australia. Nurture is a developmentally informed, trauma aware initiative that uses the latest neuroscientific evidence to inform educators on the most effective ways to work with students in kindergarten, primary and secondary educational settings. Sharon’s most recent experience prior to coming to Federation University was with a private tertiary provider developing the Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work programs. The private provider works with international students to provide them with an Australian and global social work perspective.

Sharon has begun her PhD that involves researching developmentally and trauma informed initiatives across educational settings to determine the benefits for students social, emotional, and cognitive development.

Areas of expertise

Sharon has spent many years working in the wellbeing and social work fields within the Victorian Education Department and more specifically in school settings. During this time Sharon used an ecological systems approach to her work with staff, students, families and the community. Conducting professional development in all areas of wellbeing for education staff was an important part of her role.

Sharon is a qualified facilitator in the following programs:

  • Tuning into Kids parenting program,
  • Seasons for Growth (grief, loss and bereavement program),
  • DRUMBEAT (social skills and self-regulation training with students using djembe drums), and
  • Nurture Practitioner.

Sharon is the Australian representative for Nurture International and conducts training and consultations with educational providers across Australia.

Sharon has extensive experience working with children, young people and families both as a counsellor and a referral point. Sharon understands the importance of developing strong, respectful networks within the community and across organisations.

Sharon has supervised several Master of Social Work students on placement in a school setting. Sharon values work placements for students and can see the ‘real world’ benefits for students within workplaces during their higher education degree.

Research interests

  • Developmentally informed practice
  • Trauma informed practice
  • Neuroscience
  • Social Policy and development
  • Critical Practices in social work

Publications

Conference proceedings

2022 Conference Presenter

“Swings, roundabouts, and slippery slopes: development and delivery of a new higher education course in the space of globalisation and a pandemic”. Co-speaker.
ANZSWWER Symposium: 10 – 11 November 2022

“An Introduction to a developmentally informed, trauma aware nurture approach in educational settings”.
Trauma-Aware Schooling Conference, Brisbane: 10 – 11 September 2022

2022 Poster Presentations

“The six nurture principles for learning: a framework to support the recovery from trauma”.
Trauma-Aware Schooling Conference, Brisbane: 10 – 11 September 2022

“Using the Digital Developmental Portrait to support recovery from trauma. ‘Reveal to heal’”.
Trauma-Aware Schooling Conference, Brisbane: 10 – 11 September 2022

Associations

Eligible for membership with AASW