Educator | Researcher | Maker

Sarah Margalus

Empowering learners through hands-on, maker-centered education

Get in Touch Learn More
Sarah Margalus, Visiting Assistant Professor of Education Studies

About

I'm a Visiting Assistant Professor of Education Studies at Washington and Lee University, a STEAM learning consultant for Snap Circuits, and a makerspace specialist passionate about transforming how we teach and learn.

With over a decade of experience as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, math interventionist, and instructional coach, I've supported more than 150 educators in creating engaging, hands-on learning experiences.

My work bridges the gap between educational theory and real-world practice, helping schools, libraries, and museums develop sustainable makerspace programs that foster creativity, critical thinking, and self-regulated learning.

Ph.D. Education Administration DePaul University
M.A. Education, Reading Specialization Governors State University
B.A. Elementary Education North Central College

Areas of Expertise

My research and teaching focus on the intersection of hands-on learning, literacy development, and educational innovation.

Makerspace Education

Designing and developing sustainable makerspace programs that align with learning standards including ISTE, NGSS, and Common Core while fostering creativity and innovation.

Literacy Integration

Connecting maker activities with literacy development through observation, clarifying, predicting, questioning, and summarizing—skills essential for both reading and making.

Self-Regulated Learning

Helping students develop metacognitive strategies to monitor, control, and reflect on their own learning processes in maker-centered environments.

Community-Based Learning

Creating meaningful partnerships between universities, K-12 schools, libraries, and community organizations to extend learning beyond classroom walls.

Informal Learning Spaces

Instructional coaching for non-traditional learning environments including public libraries, museums, and district programs—from consulting with Frankfort Public Library and Chicago Public Schools to developing field trip curricula with the W&L Museums.

Teaching & Courses

At Washington and Lee University, I teach courses that bridge educational theory with hands-on practice, giving students opportunities to make real impact in local communities.

Community-Based Learning

Foundations of Education

This course explores educational models emphasizing experiential learning—including Montessori, progressive, and student-centered philosophies—using local makerspace initiatives as living case studies.

Student Outcomes

  • Partner with local schools to design and implement real educational programs
  • Apply educational theory to practical challenges in K-12 settings
  • Develop skills in project management, collaboration, and reflective practice

Featured Project

Students in my Foundations of Education class partnered with Lylburn Downing Middle School in Lexington, Virginia to design, equip, and launch the school's first makerspace in its library—creating lasting impact for the local community.

Sarah Margalus working with students in the Lylburn Downing Middle School makerspace

W&L students partner with Lylburn Downing Middle School to launch their first makerspace

Community Impact

Nonprofit Organization

Spacelab

Co-founded Chicago's south suburban makerspace in 2012, fostering a community of building, tinkering, and educating. Spacelab offers STEAM programming for learners of all ages and has organized the annual Chicago Southland Makerfest, bringing hands-on making experiences to families across the region.

12+ Years of Community Service
150+ Educators Supported
Global Education

Nepal Library Project

Mentored undergraduate student Adhip Adhikari in developing a sustainable pedagogical plan for establishing a library at Geetamata Secondary School near Kathmandu, Nepal.

STEM Outreach

Engineers of Tomorrow

Active volunteer with this nonprofit founded by Dr. Paul Aiken, dedicated to building accessible, inclusive, and hands-on engineering education from early classrooms to university labs.

Local Community

Master Gardener Program

Currently training with the Rockbridge Area Master Gardener Association, expanding community education efforts into sustainable horticulture and environmental stewardship.

K-12 Outreach

Robotics Club Advisor

Created and advised a Robotics Club at a local middle school that attracted 10% of the student population in extracurricular coding and robotics learning.

Speaking & Publications

Conference Presentations

  • Virginia Society for Technology in Education (VSTE) Conference Makerspace Education
  • Chicago Public Schools Techtalk + Googlepalooza STEAM Integration
  • Southland Learning Conference Standards-Aligned Making

Media & Publications

  • Educational Makerspace Podcast with Tim Conlin (Snap Circuits)
  • Medium "Skills to Teach Within a Makerspace"
  • W&L Columns Magazine Featured Faculty

Let's Connect

Whether you're looking to develop a makerspace program, explore professional development opportunities, or discuss research collaborations, I'd love to hear from you.

Institution

Washington and Lee University
Department of Education Studies
Lexington, Virginia

Consulting

Margalus LLC
STEAM & Makerspace Consulting

LinkedIn Twitter/X Medium