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The University of Winnipeg

Karen M. Magro

Dr. Karen M. Magro Title: Professor
Phone: 204-789-1416
Email: k.magro@uwinnipeg.ca

Biography:

Dr. Karen M. Magro is a professor, writer, editor, and international educational researcher with over 40 years of teaching experiences at all levels of education. She is a full professor of Education at the University of Winnipeg.  Karen completed her doctoral studies in Education at the University of Toronto (Ontario Institute for Studies in Education). Karen has taught both nationally and internationally and has been the recipient of several awards for her teaching, research, and editorship.  She has taught in northern Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Vancouver, London, England, San Antonio, Texas, Bangkok, Thailand, and Sao Paulo, Brazil. Karen has given over 100 presentations in education and applied psychology, worldwide.

Dr. Magro is the sole and co-author author of many internationally peer reviewed articles, book chapters, and international monographs of learning dynamics, interdisciplinary approaches to teaching creatively, transformative literacy approaches, peace studies and teachers’ narratives, creativity, and global citizenship.  Her most recent books include: Artistic Literacies: Creative and Transformative Approaches to Teaching English language arts (in press); Transforming English language arts with visual art, poetry, and related texts (Magro, 2023); Transcultural Literacies; Re-visioning Relationships in Teaching and Learning (Magro and Honeyford, 2019); Teaching Global Citizenship: Canadian Perspectives (Kornelsen, Balzer, and Magro, 2020) and Finding New Voice and Vision in Literacy Learning (Magro, 2016). Karen has been the Editor-in-chief of The International Journal of Creativity and Talent Development (International Centre for Innovation in Education) since 2012. The most recent issue highlighted international perspectives on cosmopolitan education. You can access the link to the journal online.

Dr. Magro has taught at the University of Winnipeg since 2001. Karen also has 20 years of full -time experience as an English and Psychology Senior High School teacher in the Winnipeg School Division. At the University of Manitoba, Dr. Magro created many professional development workshop and courses for educational leaders in business, industry, health, and in education.  Karen designed and taught adult education courses at the University of Manitoba (Extended Education) for twelve years.  These certificate and degree courses centered on effective teaching in adult and higher education, learning and teaching styles, emotional intelligence and educational leadership, motivation and personality, and re-engaging alienated adult learners.

In 2012, Dr. Magro received the Merron-Chorney Award for outstanding contribution to the teaching of English language arts in Canada. In 2016, Karen earned an award for her work in teaching, research, and editing from the International Centre for Innovation in Education (ICIE, Paris Descartes University).

Teaching Areas:

English language arts, Transformative Learning Theories, Creativity and Innovation in Education, Transcultural Literacies, Global Citizenship Education, Artistic and Multimodal Literacies, Arts Based Ways of Knowing, Adult Learning and Development, Adult Literacy; Emotional and Social Literacies; and Applied Psychology/Educational Psychology.

Courses:

  • English language arts (Early Years)
  • English language arts (Middle Years)
  • English language arts (Senior Years)
  • Advanced Curriculum Inquiry (Drama, ELA, Psychology, and related courses, Senior High)
  • Foundations of Teaching and Learning (Senior Years)
  • Adolescent Literature (Undergraduate)
  • Alternative Education (Senior Years)
  • Learning Theories (Undergraduate Degree)
  • Developing an Imaginative and Creative Curriculum (Post Baccalaureate)
  • Emotional Intelligence and Educational Leadership (Post Baccalaureate)
  • Working with Youth and Adults from War-affected countries (Post Baccalaureate)
  • Adult Learning and Literacy (Post Baccalaureate and Graduate)
  • Foundations of Adult Education (Graduate)
  • Adult Learning and Development (Certificate and Degree)
  • Adult Learning and Motivation (Graduate)
  • Re-engaging Alienated Adult Learners (University of Manitoba/University Professional Programs, Certificate)
  • Effective Teaching in Adult and Higher Education (Professional Programs, Certificate)
  • Motivation, Diversity, and Inclusion in the Adult Education Classroom (Professional Programs, Certificate)

Research Interests:

Dr. Magro’s research, teaching, and writing interests are in transcultural literacies, adult learning, perspectives and philosophies of teaching, transformative and creative approaches to teaching English language arts, emotional intelligence, creativity, social justice education, refugee studies, and the psychology of teaching and learning. Her focus is on helping teachers (both in-service and pre-service) discover the potential of literary and non-fiction texts to encourage critical thinking, creativity, and transcultural awareness.

Selected Research:

Future Research:


My current research focuses on the creative and transformative potential of artistic literacies in English language arts and related disciplines. The texts I am currently developing are available as open educational resources (OER). I am exploring ecoliteracy awareness through poetry, visual art, and photography. I continue to build on my research into creativity, emotional intelligence, and transformative learning, specifically exploring parallels between transformative learning dynamics and creative learning. I am also working with international educators who are contributing to the IJTDC journal on a new special issue about Arts based ways of knowing (visual art, photography, storytelling, drama, creative writing, and music). I continue to develop and teach new curricula in English language arts with a focus on creativity, transcultural, and multimodal literacies. I also continue to explore the idea of working toward transformative learning through multimodal and critical literacies. I continue to work with educators in Manitoba and internationally.