Authors

Authors

Meet the Senior Author: Karen Filewych

Karen Filewych is an educator, author, and literacy consultant with over 25 years of experience. She has worked as a teacher, school administrator, and Language Arts consultant, and holds a Master of Education degree with a focus on literacy from the University of Alberta. Karen is passionate about empowering teachers and students through literacy. She is the Senior Author of Literacy Success Foundations and the Bug Club Morphology series. In addition, she is the author of four professional books and seven of Pearson’s Bug Club Phonics Decodable Readers.

Contributing Authors: Kit A

The following authors contributed reading passages for the Kit A Student Cards.

Kyla Bernard

A15 Reading Passage: “Snakes on Goat Island”

(reviewed by Mi’kmaw Curriculum and Resource Development Lead Bobbilee Dennis)

Kyla is from the Eskasoni First Nation Community in Nova Scotia. She is an Elementary Mathematics Consultant for Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey, and has published math resources used across the province. Kyla has her Bachelor of Arts, Reading Recovery, Math Certificate, and M.Ed in Indigenous Education and Leadership.

Marty Chan

A3 Reading Passage: “Want a Pet?”

Marty writes books for kids, stage plays for adults, and tweets for fun. He wrote the OWL award-winning Dragon on the Loose. This middle-grade fantasy was also nominated for a Silver Birch Express Award. Marty lives in Edmonton, Alberta, with his wife Michelle and their two cats, Hugo and Minnie.

Crystal Clark

A7 Reading Passage: “The Art of Quillwork”

(reviewed by Red River Métis quillwork artisan Fayth Armson)

Crystal is a Nehiway/Denesuline/Métis mother, educator, and artist. Her family resides in Treaty 6 near the Rocky Mountains in Alberta. She has a B.Ed, BFA, M.Ed, and New Media diploma, and studied creative writing and visual arts at the En’owkin Centre. Crystal has extensive experience in Indigenous Education, developing educational resources, facilitating professional development, and working with First Nations communities.

Leah Dorion

A6 Reading Passage: “I Am a Métis Artist”

(reviewed by Métis Alberta Teachers’ Association Indigenous Association Instructor Cheryl Devin)

Leah is a Métis writer and artist currently living near Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Her artwork celebrates the strength and resilience of Indigenous women and families. Leah is also a published children’s book author and illustrator. She has a passion for education in the early years, and is currently working with the Métis Nation of British Columbia (MNBC) to develop Métis cultural early-years resources for children and families.

Jennifer Ladipo

A5 Reading Passage: “You Think You Know Elephants?”

Jennifer is an engineer. She writes children’s books, using her science knowledge to create fun adventure stories. She is also the author of a forthcoming book from Corwin Press about how teachers can use creativity and literacy to bring engineering design into the classroom. Jennifer lives in Calgary, Alberta, where she loves reading, looking at the mountains, and running around with her dog, Sir Yogi Bear.

Eileen Marthiensen

A13 Reading Passage: “Sunrise Festival”

(reviewed by Corrine Bullock, Editor-in-Chief, Tusaayaksat Magazine, Inuvik, NWT)

Eileen is Inuvialuk from Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories. She is an educator and a proud mother of three. Eileen believes that positive representation and resources developed by Indigenous Peoples are essential to creating systemic change in the education system, that will improve opportunities and outcomes for Indigenous students.

Harman Singh Pandher

A4 Reading Passage: “My Mom’s Roti”

Harman lives in Burnaby, British Columbia, and teaches elementary school in Surrey. He is the author of the children’s books Gurpreet Goes to Gurdwara: Understanding the Sikh Place of Worship and Welcome to Paldi, a Celebrate Canada book published in 2022.

Elaine Su

A10 Reading Passage: “Chinese Chess”

Elaine is a first-generation Chinese-Canadian settler living on the beautiful, unceded West Coast lands of the Halkomelem-speaking peoples. She works as an elementary school teacher-librarian and is a consultant in equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice matters. Elaine is the author of the picture books A Stronger Home and the forthcoming Love, Panda (to be released in 2026). She loves hot tea and spicy noodles and puddle-stomping with her children.

William Weekusk

A7 Reading Passage: “The Art of Quillwork”

(reviewed by Red River Métis quillwork artisan Fayth Armson)

William is Nehiway from Peyasiw Awasis (Thunderchild). In his early years, he studied Native American Studies and currently works in the trades. William and Crystal Clark have a son and currently reside in Treaty 6 territory near the Rocky Mountains in Alberta.

Literacy Success Foundations

Authors

Meet the Senior Author: Karen Filewych

Contributing Authors: Kit A

Kyla Bernard

Marty Chan

Crystal Clark

Leah Dorion

Jennifer Ladipo

Eileen Marthiensen

Harman Singh Pandher

Elaine Su

William Weekusk

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