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

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Literacy Instruction Matters

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

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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

The Impact of Emotion

Posted on August 17, 2025August 16, 2025 by Karen Filewych

This week I was surrounded by passionate educators–educators giving up their last days of the summer break to better their practice at the Summer Literacy Symposium. The symposium was put on by the LCEEQ: the Leadership Committee for English Education in Quebec.

The week was one of learning, yes. But what stays with me is how the committee worked hard to build community. The learning was grounded in fun and connection. The emotion was that of joy and excitement. We laughed often! Because of the safe, inclusive environment, there were also moments of vulnerability and some of us may have shed a tear or two. (I will not reveal names…)

If we want student learning to occur at the highest level, it is essential that we provide an environment where students find joy and have fun as they learn. We also want them to feel safe enough to take risks and be vulnerable. How will you build community in your classroom? What books will you share that first week of school? What conversations and activities might surround the reading of these books?

A few of my go-to favourites to begin the school year:

The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates
Be You! by Peter H. Reynolds
A Letter From Your Teacher: On the First Day of School and Our Class is a Family both by Shannon Olsen
The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex
Elmer by David McKee
Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller
Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry
You Matter by Christian Robinson
Just Ask by Sonia Sotomayor

And remember… picture books are not only for our primary classrooms!

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