My research interests revolve around enhancing student engagement and learning outcomes in secondary education, particularly grades 9 to 12. I am passionate about exploring the effective integration of digital technology, including artificial intelligence, into classroom settings to create dynamic and interactive learning environments. A key focus of my work is on fostering teacher reflexivity, where educators critically reflect on their practices and adapt them based on student feedback. Central to my approach is gathering and incorporating student voices to co-create strategies that promote meaningful engagement. Through these efforts, I aim to support educators in implementing evidence-based practices that enhance both classroom effectiveness and student success.
Books/Monographs Authored
Sharma, S., & Lang. W. (2026). Everyday inquiry for teachers: How small questions spark big learning. deSitter Publications.
Sharma, S., & Lang, W. (2024). The it factor: What impact does “it” have? Conducting inquiry for growth and achievement. Code Breakers Inc.
Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF). (2023). Cultivating a more equitable, inclusive, and accessible federation and workplace. [confidential document]
Books Edited
Sharma, S., & Kumar, R. (Eds.). (in progress). AI powered learning: Integrative lesson plans for Ontario High Schools. OER commons.
Chapters in Refereed Books
Sharma, S. (in queue for 2026). Advancing academic integrity through generative AI with insights from secondary teachers. In Eaton, S. E & Kumar, R (Eds.), Research handbook on artificial intelligence and academic integrity. Edward Elgar Publishing.
Sharma, S., & Lang, W. (in queue for 2026). Fostering school relationships to cultivate risk-taking and rigor in learning. In Ankomah, W (Ed), Transformative perspectives in urban education. Information Age Publishing.
Sharma, S. (in queue). AI face-off: Teens vs. technology in critical thinking battles. in S. Sharma & Kumar, R (Eds.), AI powered learning: Integrative lesson plans for Ontario High Schools. OER commons.
Kumar, R., Sharma, S., & Sakar, S. (in progress). Leading and teaching with Gen AI: Challenges and capacity-building in Ontario secondary schools. In Johnson, D., & Delanoy, N (Eds.). AI and the future of learning: Pedagogical shifts and policy perspectives in K-12 and higher education. Springer Books.
Sharma, S. (2023). Plagiarism: The what, why and how. In S. E. Eaton & R. Kumar (Eds.), Academic Integrity Lessons: Practical Ideas for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment (pp. 15-19). University of Calgary. https://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/42226
Articles in Refereed Journals
Sharma, S. (in queue for Spring, 2026). Failing forward: How mentorship, autonomy, and growth mindset build teaching expertise. Schools, Studies in Education
Sharma, S, & Kumar, R. (in queue for Winter, 2026). Empathetic pathways: Leveraging Verstehen to navigate generative AI in Canadian teacher education. Journal of Digital Life and Learning.
Sharma, S. (2025). Empowering multilingual learners: A framework for technology integration in diverse classrooms. Schools, Studies in Education. 22(2), 257-278. https://doi.org/10.1086/737545
Kumar R., & Sharma, S. (2025). Secondary school teachers perspectives on GenAI proliferation: Generating Advanced Insights. International Journal for Educational Integrity. 21(7). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40979-025-00180-z
Sharma, S. (2024). Cultivating classroom connectivity: Navigating the role of cell phones in education. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/00098655.2024.2427334
Sharma, S. (2024). The role of digital technology in supporting English language learners: Balancing engagement and access in secondary schools. International Journal of English Language Education, 12(2), 194-209. https://doi.org/10.5296/ijele.v12i2.22383
Sharma, S. (2024). Fostering academic integrity in the digital age: Empowering student voices to navigate technology as a tool for classroom policies. Brock Education Journal, 33(3). 99-121. https://doi.org/10.26522/brocked.v33i3.1180
Shama, S. (2023). Inquire, connect and disconnect: Technology implementation to (re-)engage post-pandemic students. Forum on Public Policy. https://www.forumonpublicpolicy.co.uk/_files/ugd/553e83_1733cf309fed4c8cba447250f9febf9e.pdf
Refereed Conference Proceedings
Sharma, S. (2025, October 25). Reclaiming engagement: A narrative inquiry into inquiry-based literacy for reluctant and struggling readers. Centre for Educational Research on Language and Literacies’ Sixth Symposium of the Southern Ontario Universities on “From Silos to Solidarity: Rethinking Languages and Literacies in Education through Collaboration and Care.” St. Catharines, Ontario. https://hdl.handle.net/10464/19733
Sharma, S., & Lang, W. (2024, October 26). Inquiry-driven transformation: Empowering students by mitigating presentation anxiety. International Conference on Literacy, Culture, and Language Education Research (ICLCLE). Indiana, USA. http://hdl.handle.net/10464/19039
Sharma, S., & Kumar, R. (2024, March 10). Preserving academic integrity in Ontario high schools: Emerging challenges. International Center for Academic Integrity Conference (ICAI). Calgary, Canada. http://hdl.handle.net/10464/18327
Sharma, S. (2023, July 12). Technology and student engagement in a post-pandemic world: So much has changed but so much has stayed the same. Oxford International Round Table Symposium, Oxford, England.
Articles in Non-Refereed Publications
Sharma, S. (2025, December 4). Teaching with AI in classrooms: How four grade 10 English lessons show the possibilities for equity, engagement, and human thinking. EdCan Network: The Canadian Education Association. https://www.edcan.ca/articles/teaching-with-ai-in-classrooms/
Sharma, S., & Kumar, R. (2025, November 30). Teaching in an AI moment: Questions Ontario educators are asking. Update: OSSTF/FEESO Newsletter. https://www.osstf.on.ca/en-CA/resource-centre/educators-resources/resources-of-month-archive/2025/november.aspx
Sharma, S. (2025, August 25).What happens when we listen: A real story about SEL in action. EdCan Network: The Canadian Education Association. https://www.edcan.ca/articles/what-happens-when-we-listen/
Sharma, S. (2025, May 23). Colouring outside the lines: Art as literacy in the English classroom. English Language Arts Network Blog. https://elanontario.com/colouring-outside-the-lines-art-as-literacy-in-the-english-classroom/
Sharma, S. (2025, spring). Breaking the silence: A new approach to engaging every student. Canadian Teacher Magazine. https://canadianteachermagazine.com/2025/04/20/12865/
Sharma, S. (2025, March 24). Reconceptualizing reading: A pedagogical framework for active engagement. EdCan Network: The Canadian Education Association. https://www.edcan.ca/articles/reconceptualizing-reading-for-equity-and-inclusion/
Sharma, S. (2024). Listening to student voices in teacher education. Academia Forum. https://forum.academica.ca/forum/listening-to-student-voices-in-teacher-education
Sharma, S., & Lang, W. (2024, September 19). Lower stress strategies for students’ oral presentations. Teacher – Australian Council for Educational Research. https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/low-stress-strategies-for-students-oral-presentations
Sharma, S., & Lang, W. (2024, September 18). Tackling high school students’ anxiety over oral presentations. Teacher – Australian Council for Educational Research. https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/tackling-high-school-students-anxiety-over-oral-presentations
Sharma, S., & Lang, W. (2024, August 26). Using an inquiry process to solve persistent classroom problems. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/solving-persistent-classroom-problems-inquiry-process
Sharma, S. (2024, August 13). Using classroom observations for support as a new teacher. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/benefits-classroom-observations-new-teachers
Sharma, S. (2024, April 24). Unlocking literacy: Empowering secondary educators to strengthen students’ reading skills. Teaching Times. https://www.teachingtimes.com/strengthening-reading-skills-at-secondary-school/
Sharma, S. (2024, March 29). Encouraging secondary students to read. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/supporting-students-who-read-below-grade-level
Sharma, S. & Kumar, R. (2024). GenAI: Generating administrators’ involvement. CAP Journal, Winter. https://cdnprincipals.com/genai-generating-administrators-involvement/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=genai-generating-administrators-involvement
Sharma, S. (2023, November 3). How Students Can Rethink Problem Solving. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/strengthening-high-school-students-problem-soliving-skills
Sharma, S. (2023, August 14).Guiding Students to Assess the Merits of Artificial Intelligence Tools. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/teaching-students-use-ai-tools
Sharma, S. (2023, July 5). Supporting student engagement with technology. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/using-technology-support-student-engagement
Sharma, S. (2023, May/June). The power of a good question: Prompting critical thinking. TEACH Magazine, 12-15. https://teachmag.com/archives/22897
Sharma, S. (2023, March 31). Teaching high school students active reading skills. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/teaching-active-reading-strategies-high-school
Sharma, S. (2022). Leveraging technology for student engagement. The FlipSide Magazine. https://cdnprincipals.com/leveraging-technology-for-student-engagement%ef%bf%bc/
Sharma, S. (2022, Fall). Cellphones in the classroom. Canadian Teacher Magazine. https://canadianteachermagazine.com/2022/09/27/11426/
Sharma, S. (2020). They teach; They learn. In Deep Learning Partnerships @ Home. https://deep-learning.global//wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Partnerships-at-Home-7-They-teach-They-Learn.pdf
Sharma, S., & Newcombe, R. (2020, Winter). Making magic happen at staff meetings. The Register, 28–33. https://issuu.com/ontarioprincipalscouncil/docs/opc_winter-february2020/28
Sharma, S., & Parr, M. (2018). Technology and student engagement: What educational leaders and teachers need to know. CAP Journal: Technology Leader or Leading Technology, Fall, 17–20. https://mzpinc.ca/ebooks/CAP/PDFs/CAP-T0318.pdf
Workshops and Non-Refereed Conference Presentations
Sharma, S. (2026, February 25). Designing authentic assessment in the postplagiarism GenAI era: Making judgement visible. Post Plagiarism Speaker Series. University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.
Sharma, S. (2025, November 15). Beyond the code: Navigating the role of artificial intelligence in education [Panel discussion]. Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) Conference, Toronto, ON.
Sharma, S. (2025, January 30). Future ready education: Leveraging AI to enhance education. Shaping the Future Conference. Lake Louise, Canada.
Sharma, S. (2024, October 11). Designing tasks for an AI empowered classroom. Nelson High School Staff Professional Development Day. Burlington, ON.
Sharma, S. (2024, March 28). Digital parenting: Strategies for teen tech habits. Nelson High School Parent Council Engagement Event. Burlington, ON.
Sharma, S. (2024, March 28). AI awareness for parents: Fostering ethical use of AI. Nelson High School Parent Council Engagement Event. Burlington, ON.
Sharma, S. (2023, December 6). An AI empowered student: How and what?. Mangosuthu University of Technology, Umlazi, South Africa.
Sharma, S. (2023, May 17). Using digital technology to (re-)engage our post pandemic students. Canadian Principals Association Conference, Charlottetown, PEI.
Kumar, R., Mindzak, M., & Sharma, S. (2023, April 27). AI and academic integrity: Implications for high school students and parents. MM Robinson High School Parent Council Engagement Night. Burlington, ON.
Invited Keynote Address
Sharma, S. (2025, January 30). Building a Future Ready School Community: Lessons from Student Voices. Shaping the Future Conference. Lake Louise, Canada.
Podcasts
Anderson, J. (Host). 2024, November 27. Student Engagement and Digital Technology with Dr. Sunaina Sharma. In The Pod Class. https://player.captivate.fm/episode/96e0f749-7ab0-4b63-b20b-b81b38e8f152
Moskaluk, N. (Host). 2024, February 3. The Power of Technology in Increasing Student Engagement: A Conversation with Dr. Sunaina Sharma. In Ready, Set, Growth. https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-power-of-technology-in-increasing-student/id1496187788?i=1000640896287
Demma, S. (Host) (2022, October 17). Dr. Sunaina Sharma: Program leader at the Halton District School Board and practicum advisor at Brock University. In The High Performing Educator. https://highperformingeducator.com/sunaina-sharma/
Hurley, S. (Host) 2020, December 10. The relationship between digital technology use and student engagement featuring Sunaina Sharma. In Off the Shelf. https://voiced.ca/podcast_episode_post/the-relationship-between-digital-technology-use-and-student-engagement-ft-sunaima-sharma/
Media Attention
2020 HDSB article about a class project that kept kids connected during cohorting: https://hdsb.ca/our-board/Pages/News/News-Description.aspx?NewsID=796
2019 HDSB video about a school initiative I organized as a way to show care during the holidays: https://www.hdsb.ca/our-board/Pages/News/News-Description.aspx?NewsID=721
2019 HDSB video about a community partnership a team and I put together for students: https://www.hdsb.ca/our-board/Pages/News/News-Description.aspx?NewsID=720
2018 HDSB article and video about a class project I initiated to emphasize real world relevance: https://www.hdsb.ca/our-board/Pages/News/News-Description.aspx?NewsID=573 and https://twitter.com/HaltonDSB/status/1060168535794765824
2017 City TV news footage of letters to strangers and cards of kindness https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kexp7TeOQXk&feature=em-upload_owner and https://toronto.citynews.ca/video/2017/11/23/burlington-students-spread-smiles-with-kindness-cards/
2017 Burlington Post article highlighting my building relevance and community connections https://www.insidehalton.com/news/pearson-students-making-cards-to-give-to-neighbours/article_a480aab2-547f-5c18-97e1-f5a122ea70d4.html?
2016 Burlington Post article highlighting how I used technology to connect students with an author https://www.insidehalton.com/news/burlington-high-school-students-skype-with-native-author/article_556ba9b3-522a-521f-8cf5-1a3bbfe1e03f.html?
2015 Burlington Post article on a guest speaker I invited to our school to show students curriculum relevance https://www.insidehalton.com/news/woman-tells-burlington-students-of-her-torture-in-infamous-iranian-prison/article_2520fad3-df87-5cc1-a00f-81f2c49db308.html?
2011 Burlington Post article on a class project I initiated to foster student engagement https://www.insidehalton.com/life/students-reach-out-to-victims-of-tornado/article_8158a6ea-5c37-50c6-bcdc-03b313d0ac0a.html?
2011 Burlington Post editorial highlighting my ability to foster student engagement https://www.insidehalton.com/opinion/columnists/making-a-better-world-with-hugs-and-kisses/article_dfd24cfc-956d-5c27-9faf-182031f6d037.html?
2009 Burlington Post editorial highlighting my ability to foster student engagement https://www.insidehalton.com/opinion/columnists/students-making-the-world-better-one-coat-at-a-time/article_799475a5-1ea8-5999-bcf3-87dd3d4dc726.html?
2009 Burlington Post article on a class project I initiated to foster student engagement https://www.insidehalton.com/news/teacher-makes-pen-pals-cool/article_8ab30ece-b170-52e3-88ef-755323444473.html?
Sunaina Sharma 