Naomi is Principal Lecturer at Sheffield Institute of Education (SIoE), Sheffield Hallam University. Part of her role is Head of Area for Primary Undergraduate provision, and she is a member of the SIoE Leadership Team. Her research interests relate to the professional development of trainee teachers to support pupils learning through English as an Additional Language.

Prior to her work with Sheffield Hallam University, Naomi worked in Primary schools in England including schools in Birmingham, Nottinghamshire, Peterborough and Sheffield. She taught across the whole Primary and Early Years range (Reception to Year 6) and was a Primary Head Teacher in Nottinghamshire, where she also held the role of SENCO. For some years she worked in an Integrated Resource Unit teaching children with Special Educational Needs.

In her current role as Head of Area for Primary and Early Years Undergraduate Teacher Education, she works closely with trainees and the Sheffield Hallam University staff team, and with mentors in school. She also works closely with senior school partners through the Primary Partnership Management Committee; this liaison informs her strategic leadership of the undergraduate Initial Teacher Education courses (BA and BATL). She leads on English as an Additional Language (EAL) and teaches on a variety of Primary and Early Years modules. Naomi also works with Sheffield Local Authority New Arrivals team and together with colleagues from the city council, hosts an annual EAL conference at Sheffield Hallam University.

Since joining Sheffield Hallam University, Naomi has developed close links with schools in the Netherlands, where she supports BA students on an optional international field trip, deepening understanding of commonalities and differences in each education system. She has delivered CPD in EAL with partnership schools in the Netherlands, both in person and online (during the pandemic).