Sara Wilford

Sara Delano Wilford (née Roosevelt; later Whitney, then di Bonaventura) was born on March 13, 1932, and passed away on October 22, 2021. She was a psychologist and educator with a tenure at Sarah Lawrence College spanning from 1982 to 2014.

Early Life:

Sara Delano Roosevelt was the daughter of Betsey Cushing Roosevelt Whitney, a philanthropist involved in medicine and the arts, and James Roosevelt, the eldest son of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Her adoptive father was John Hay Whitney.

Education:

Wilford obtained a Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed) from Bank Street College of Education.

Career:

She taught at Sarah Lawrence College for over three decades, beginning in 1982 and concluding her teaching career in 2014. Wilford served as the director of the Art of Teaching graduate program in early childhood and childhood education from 1985 until 2014. She was also the director of the college's Early Childhood Center for 21 years, from 1982 to 2003. The Early Childhood Center was established in 1937 as a laboratory school, facilitating practical learning opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in child development and education courses. It enabled students to study children aged 2 to 6 and participate directly in their education. During her tenure, the center expanded by adding a class for 5- to 6-year-olds and increasing financial aid options for students’ families.

Wilford's teaching involved courses that linked principles of child development to educational practice. She also led workshops and seminars on early childhood education and literacy and served on the Editorial Advisory Board for Child Magazine. Her published works include "Tough Topics: How to Use Books in Talking with Children About Life Issues and Problems" and "What You Need to Know When Your Child is Learning to Read," both of which received critical recognition.

Her international interests in early childhood education included visits to the Schools of Reggio Emilia in Italy in 1993 and participation in the U.S./South Africa Joint Conference on Early Childhood Education in 1996. Wilford also presented at a seminar hosted by the Department of Early Childhood Education at the University of Athens, Greece, and was part of a literacy delegation to New Zealand and Australia in 2000.

She was featured in "The Learning Child" series, produced for public television to support parents and educators in fostering motivated, thoughtful learners by recognizing each child's individual needs. Wilford was recognized with the Outstanding Service Award from Westchester Community College in 1999 and received the Champions for Children Leader of the Year Award from the New York State Association for the Education of Young Children in 2009.

Personal Life:

Sara Wilford was married to Ronald A. Wilford from 1973 until his death in 2015. Prior to this, she was married to Anthony di Bonaventura, a classical pianist and son of Italian-born barber Fred di Bonaventura. Before their divorce in 1972, the couple had five children.

Selected Works:

- "What You Need to Know When Your Child Is Learning to Read" (1997)

- "Nurturing Young Children's Disposition to Learn" (2009)

She died on October 22, 2021.