Dr. Sarah K. Howorth

Dr. Sarah K. Howorth
Associate Professor of Special Education
College of Education and Human Development
Instructor, HON 101: Disability in Context

Dr. Sarah K. Howorth is an Associate Professor of Special Education at the University of Maine and a faculty member in the Honors College. Her teaching, research, and service focus on promoting equitable access to high-quality instruction and inclusive environments for students with disabilities, particularly those with high-intensity needs.

In her role as instructor for HON 101: Disability in Context, Dr. Howorth engages students in interdisciplinary exploration of how disability is constructed, experienced, and responded to in society. Students examine disability through historical, cultural, educational, and legal lenses, with an emphasis on evidence-based practices and policy analysis. Dr. Howorth encourages Honors students to think critically about inclusion, advocacy, and intersectionality, while applying their learning through skill-based projects and reflective inquiry.

Dr. Howorth’s current scholarship includes research on single-case research design (SCRD), student-led IEPs, and the integration of artificial intelligence tools to support special education teacher preparation. She also studies the intersections of disability with other identities, such as multilingualism and LGBTQIA+ status, to promote more responsive and just educational systems.

Dr. Howorth mentors undergraduate and graduate researchers and collaborates with state and national partners to strengthen teacher pipelines in rural areas. She believes that engaging with disability studies enriches all disciplines and prepares students to be more thoughtful professionals and community members.