Karen has enjoyed an exciting career in education, working with culturally and socio-economic diverse populations as a teacher in southern Ontario, as well as an administrator in Toronto and the Beausoleil First Nation. She hails from Northern Ontario and is an advocate for equity and social justice issues. She has supported and developed innovative, cooperative and experiential educational practices, enabling students to develop their self-awareness, confidence and critical thinking skills to help them face social, emotional and educational issues.
Since 2010, she has been actively involved with OELC in various capacities. These include Centre Manager, Teacher Facilitator for Ministry of Education initiatives and the Grade 6 Leadership for Innovation and Creativity Course. More recently, she was Co-Director of the Indigenous Leadership Gathering.
Karen brings her passion for youth leadership development to the board, and is excited to be part of a team to set new direction and further develop the growth and outreach of OELC.