Words Change Worlds

"When teaching grade one I noticed how language — specifically learning to read and write — empowered students. This idea has captivated me since. Join me in my quest to change the world through words."
-Karen Filewych

Available Now!

Literacy Instruction Matters

Order today!

This practical, comprehensive overview of literacy instruction equips teachers with the tools, understanding, and confidence to meet the literacy needs of students.

Order Now More Books

What people are saying

After reading Karen's book, Literacy Leadership Matters, I really appreciated her insights and was inspired to action her advice that literacy learning can be fostered outside the classroom in non-evaluative ways. I launched a Writer's Craft club in the fall and, with two other teacher leaders, opening it up to bi-monthly sessions for K-8 students. By January, we had around 50 students writing for the fun of it using mediums that included stories, animation, poems, song lyrics, picture books, and the contents of the soccer card that a student imagined seeing about himself in his future. Some students wrote independently, and some collaborated across classes and grade levels. We were building a literacy culture beyond curriculum and grades. Karen's work is always practical and powerful, and this was one of those "look-for” moments to help leaders observe and support classroom practice.

Noa Daniel, classroom teacher, writer, and speaker

Thank you for the wonderful month of learning and inspiration. We have loved having you in our school and the "buzz" around writing among staff and students has been exciting!

Kendall Monti
Learning Coach, Landing Trail School

Karen, thank you so much for sharing your wisdom, experience, and most importantly your passion with us. It is contagious in the most positive way - the chatter and excitement with our staff is palpable and we are looking forward to continuing to learn with you.

Rebecca Martini Assistant Principal

Karen’s passion for literacy easily comes across in her lessons to the children. I have been a classroom teacher for 25 years, and I was very impressed with how my students were genuinely engaged in lessons that were tailored specifically to activities we were working on in our class. I look forward to welcoming Karen and her expertise into my class again!

Warren Letchford Edmonton Teacher

Expectations for our provincial-wide annual event are always high and Karen Filewych did not fail to deliver! Attendee feedback was off the charts for Karen. Her knowledge of the topic, connecting to our province’s ELA curriculum, organization, ease to work with and ability to connect with a ‘virtual’ audience were exceptional. Karen’s presentation was bursting with unique ideas, and real-life examples linking her own experiences as an educator and writer resonated with her audience. Teachers left energized and eager to use what they learned with their students. We hope to work again with Karen one day soon!

Jackie Parsons 2021 MTS PD Day Chair
Reading Council of Greater Winnipeg

This week on the Words Change Worlds blog

Intentionality

Posted on September 7, 2025 by Karen Filewych

During the past few weeks, I have presented to many educators of various grade levels. One of my messages to all groups regardless of the topic was the importance of intentionality.

This is the perfect time of year to consider the reasons we do what we do. If we can’t articulate our reasons, perhaps we should reconsider the practice.

How might you make your practices more intentional and more effective for learning? Could you embed an oral language task to strengthen an already effective activity? How can you integrate writing as a form of thinking into your lessons in the content areas? How might you bring your science vocabulary into your language arts class? How will you ensure that morphology finds its way into your teaching of all subject areas?

The more intentional you are the better. And take the time to share your reasoning behind your routines and activities with your students. They are more likely to buy in and comply when they understand how it will help them learn!

Get in Touch

Have a question for Karen? Interested in booking a workshop? Just want to say hello? Simply fill out this form.

Find Karen Elsewhere on the Web

Subscribe to the Words Change Worlds Blog

Sign up to receive an email notification whenever a new blog post is published. This is completely spam-free and you can opt out at any time.

Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.