Karen has over twenty-five years of educational experience as an elementary teacher, school administrator, and language arts consultant. She enjoys sharing her passion for literacy with both teachers and students!
In 2007, she completed her Master of Education degree at the University of Alberta with a focus in literacy. During the last few years, her passions for teaching and writing have collided. Her first book, How Do I Get Them to Write?, was published in May of 2017 by Pembroke Publishers in Canada and Stenhouse Publishers in the United States. Her second book, Freewriting with Purpose, was published in January of 2019. Her newest release, Literacy Leadership Matters, is geared for administrators and literacy leads within elementary schools. All books are available on the Pembroke website. Karen also writes a weekly reflection for educators which can be found on her blog.
Karen regularly provides professional development sessions to educators. Over the last few years she has presented at the Greater Edmonton Teachers’ Convention, the Calgary City Teachers’ Convention, the Central Alberta Teachers’ Convention, the English as a Second Language Conference, the English Language Arts Council Conference, the North Central Teachers’ Convention, the Palliser District Teachers’ Convention, the Central East Alberta Teachers’ Convention, the South Eastern Alberta Teachers’ Convention, and with the Edmonton Regional Learning Consortium. In February 2020, Karen presented in Toronto at the Reading For the Love of It conference. In October 2021, she presented a full day session as part of the Manitoba Teachers’ Society PD Day.
Karen is available to present professional development to school staffs and writing residencies for students. She is booking now for the 2023-2024 school year!
She continues to write and is currently working on a book for parents, several picture books, and a novel for middle-grade readers.