In both simple and complex ways, I love teaching and learning. Just imagine the joy and honour it is for me to teach and learn alongside teachers at all stages of their careers. From undergraduate students beginning to explore whether teaching might be a career for them, to pre-service teachers in UM’s after-degree program, to in-service teachers deepening their professional learning in our PBDE program, to graduate students who are immersing themselves in educational research at the M.Ed. or Ph.D level, I delight in learning more about each learner and connecting to their experiences, questions, and wonderings. I appreciate invitations to get into K-12 classrooms and work alongside teachers and students, or invitations to come offer professional development series or sessions.
Although I now have close to 30 years of experience in classrooms, my thinking about teaching is always changing. I still consider myself a work-in-progress educator. However, when I think through my classroom experiences, three big ideas or beliefs about education have grounded and lifted my teaching practices.
Relationships Matter
Teaching and learning is relational. Our learning is intensified and starts to matter to us when we deepen our relationships with ourselves, our classmates, teachers, wider communities, the places around us, and the more-than-human world. I genuinely care about who my students are, where they have been and where they are going, and how they experience the world around them. I want students to feel known and to follow their own passions in my courses.
Power and Agency Matter
Power exists everywhere, including in schools, classrooms, and interactions between teachers and learners. Understanding privilege and challenging oppression is an important aim of critical pedagogies. As a white, cis-gender, currently-able, heterosexual woman who is a settler on Turtle Island, I am continually working on the process of learning and unlearning, challenging my own assumptions, and supporting under-represented voices. I have learned a great deal from students, colleagues, friends, mentors, and my own children who have called me in and helped me notice when I get things wrong. While not wanting to add to the often-invisible labour that falls upon individuals who are compelled to do this work, I invite students and colleagues to remind me to listen, learn, name my privilege, and call out my contributions to systems and individual actions that uphold an unjust and inequitable status quo.
Joy Matters
I attempt to be an intentional orchestrator of fun, laughter, silliness, imagination, creativity, play, risk-taking, adventure, and whimsy as a teacher. And strangely, I don’t take this role lightly. Joy is vulnerable stuff. We are taught from a shockingly early age that play doesn’t belong in the classroom or is the opposite of serious learning. We learn (maybe not explicitly but in other sneaky ways) that curiosity and creativity are dangerous, only for certain people, or contained to out-of-school experiences. I work hard to disrupt these narratives in my own life and invite my students to come along with me as we laugh, learn, delight, create, play, and wonder. Often that means we will try to get outside of classroom spaces, move our bodies, and re-connect to and through play, art, and walking.
Courses
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Fall 2026
EDUB 3120 Senior Years: Teaching Languages and Literacies Across the Content
I will team teach this course with my colleague Dr. Michelle Honeyford.Winter 2027
EDUB 3120 Senior Years: Teaching Language and Literacies Across the Content
I will team teach this course with my colleague Dr. Michelle Honeyford.EDUB 3102 Senior Years Curriculum & Instruction: Languages
Summer 2027
2027Summer Writing Institute | EDUB 5342/7130 Becoming Writers: Place, Power, and Pedagogy in Teaching Writing. Learn More
Previously Taught Courses
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Teaching English Language Arts in the Senior Years (EDUB 4120) | 2026
Introduction to Education: What Does it Mean to Teach? (EDUB 1790) | 2025 (3 Sections)
Practicum 1 – 4 Courses(EY, MY, and SY) | 2023 - 2024
During my role Acting Director of Practicum and Partnership while Dr. Beryl Peters was on Research Study Leave, I was the “instructor on record” for all practicum courses. As the instructor, my responsibilities included overseeing the students general progress in practicum; assigning grades; providing support and seeking solutions for student and/or practicum issues; communicating with partners; and connecting students to resources and services as needed.Human Rights in the Language Arts (EDUB 4102) | 2023 & 2024
Teaching English Language Arts in the Middle Years (EDUB 3056) | 2019 & 2020
Senior Years: Language and Literacy Across the Content Areas (EDUB 3102/2510) | 2011 – 2013, 2015 – 2021
Middle Years: Creating Classroom Learning Environments (EDUB 4050 |2018
Principles & Processes for Teaching (EDUB 3100)| 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017
Senior Years: Teaching English Language Arts (EDUB 4120) | 2016 & 2026
Teaching English Language Arts in Senior Years 2 (EDUB 2210) | 2013
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Becoming Writers: Power, Place, and Pedagogy in Writing (EDUB 5342) | 2023
This is a 6-credit course that I co-taught with Dr. Michelle Honeyford. For further description and exploration of this course, please check see here.Writing Workshop: Writing For/As Human Rights (EDUB 5220) | 2018 & 2021
This is a 3-credit course that I co-taught with Dr. Michelle Honeyford.Curriculum Development: Writing For/As Human Rights (EDUB 5230) | 2018 & 2021
This is a 3-credit course that I co-taught with Dr. Michelle Honeyford.Adolescent Literature (EDUB 5370) | 2017
Teaching Language and Literacy in the Content Areas (EDUB 5330) | 2016
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Becoming Writers: Power, Place, and Pedagogy in Writing (EDUB 7130). 2023 & 2025
This is a 6-credit course that I co-taught with Dr. Michelle Honeyford. For further description and exploration of this course, please see here.Writing Workshop: Writing For/As Human Rights (EDUB 7142). 2018 & 2021
This is a 3-credit course that I co-taught with Dr. Michelle Honeyford.Curriculum Development: Writing For/As Human Rights (EDUB 7350). 2018 & 2021
This is a 3-credit course that I co-taught with Dr. Michelle Honeyford.Seminar and Practicum in Clinical Diagnosis and Reading (EDUB 7060). 2018/19, 2021/22, 2022/23
This is a 6-credit course that I co-taught with Tracie McDonald. Providing mentorship support of Tracie McDonald (2025-2026).Seminar in Reading and Response to Literature (EDUB 7150). 2022
Literature for Children and Adolescents (EDUB 7142). 2019 & 2021
I taught one section of the course to a M.Ed. cohort from the Winnipeg School Division (2021). I taught the other section focusing on Indigenous literature for children and adolescents to the MFNERC (Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre) Inclusive Language and Literacy M.Ed. cohort.Final Seminar in Curriculum, Teaching and Learning (EDUB 7540). 2020
I taught the 2020 section for the MFNERC Inclusive Language and Literacy M.Ed. cohort. I have also taught this course several times as a Student Initiated Course for individual students.Curriculum Development and Implementation in Language and Literacy (EDUB 7530). 2017
I taught two sections of this course. One I developed with/for the MFNERC (Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre) Inclusive Language and Literacy M.Ed. cohort. The other section was offered to graduate students in our regular graduate student offerings.
As an academic advisor, I want to follow student-led inquiries and research interests, but I also need to be able to provide appropriate supports. I am most able to provide mentor students in areas of language and literacies; writing and walking curriculum, instruction, and assessment; critical place inquiries; gender based violence in K-12 schools; feminist approaches to pedagogy and research; gender and feminist critical media literacies; literacies in climate crisis.
Supervision
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Stephanie Zirino | Peace and Conflict Studies Interdisciplinary PhD | Ongoing
Kim Thien Cao | Working title for future dissertation project: Reimagining Identities: A Qualitative Exploration of 2SLGBTBIPOC+ Youth Narratives | Ongoing
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Brittany Thomas | Currently working on thesis: Unlocking Adolescent Literacy Engagement: Exploring Teachers’ Perceptions of Student Voice and Choice in the Classroom | Ongoing
Jessie Martin | Currently working on thesis: Being Seen and Heard: A Narrative Inquiry into the Lived Experiences of Yazidi Refugees and the Teachers Who Teach Them | Ongoing
Christine Rigey | Desire Lines: Mapping Well-Being and Ecological Care Through Life Writing Practices | February 2026
Noah Cain | UNWIND/UNWOUND: Metaphor, Embodiment, and Meaning-Making in the Digital Age
Winner of the 2024 LLRC Master’s Award. | June 2024Penny Kasten | A Biography of SD Nelson: The Artist, The Storyteller | June 2022
Phillipe Morin-Fournier | A Study of Children’s Literature with LGBTQ+ Content and LGBTQ+ Families | February 2019
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Arlene Murphy | OngoingNicole Kavelench | Ongoing
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Kimberly Corneille | Re-visiting the Interactive Read Aloud | October 2024Brittany Fraser | The Hidden Nature of Neoliberalism: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Children’s Eco-Literature | June 2024
Lori-Anne Busch | Emerging as a Writer Through Regular Writing Practice and Reflective Thinking on Writing a Novel | October 2023
Heather Greidanus | Structured Literacy Workshops | October 2023
Mercede Poirier | Supporting Middle Years French Immersion Teachers: Insights and Resources from a French Immersion Educator and Associate Reading Clinician | June 2023
Tiffany Waskul | Reading for Pleasure: A Self-Study Literacy Inquiry into Fostering Student Reading Enjoyment in the Early Years | June 2023
Janice Caplan | A Supporting Guide to Help Teachers Imagined Structured Literacy | June 2023
Gina Cerqueira | Cultivating Conscientização: A Narrative Teacher Self-Study of Using Indigenous Texts to Understand and Heal | June 2023
Sarah Falk | Curated Learning Portfolio | October 2023
Brigitte Kiazyk-Mkytyn | A Field Guide to École Ste. Anne Immersion’s Community Spaces | October 2023
Nicole Normandeau | Exploring My Beliefs About Reluctant Writers: A Self-Study | October 2023
Ernestine Huhtala | We are a Part of Everything: Land-based Learning and Literacies in Skownan School | June 2022
Nancy Jacobson | Layers of Learning: An Arts-based Inquiry | June 2022
Annie Anderson | Mii Owe Aaniish Gaa-Gikendamaan: Because This is What I Know | October 2020
Loretta Caribou | Reawaken and Revitalize Cree Culture: Neithaweyak – Cree People | October 2020
Marcella Clarke | Swampy Cree Language and Culture Curriculum | October 2020
Anthony Desjarlais | Sharing His Story: A Journey of Remembrance | October 2020
Linda Fariss | Writing Within: An Anthology of Life Writing for Hope and Healing | October 2020
Arlene Flatfoot-Beaulieu | Kamichitoowan. Story Starters and Writing Prompts: An Anishinabe Ikwe’s Perspective from Treaty Two Territory | October 2020
Lisa Flett | How Familial Curricula Fits into a Balanced Literacy Program: A Portfolio Project | October 2020
Rhonda Flett | Ansinnini Kikin-Nawah-Make-Win: Aboriginal Teachings | October 2020
Holly Fontaine | On Creating Balance: How Indigenous Fathers Make a Difference | October 2020
Audrey Fourre | Nanamiskatomowin: Walking in Both Worlds Podcast | October 2020
Marlene Lenton | Framework for Language and Literacy Educational Assistants | October 2020
Rhonda McPherson | Peguis is Our Place: Designing a K – Gr. 2 Curriculum Framework | October 2020
Virginia Moose | Honouring my Grandmother’s Stories: Ekistéthitâman nôkom otâcimowina | October 2020
Lorna Neinhyusen Prince | First Nations Education: Language and Culture Programming | October 2020
Norma Nelson | Teaching Indigenous Content through Differentiation in the Classroom | October 2020
Mary Lou Pierrard | Materials in ASL for First Nations Students who are Deaf | October 2020
Darlene Robinson | Mino-Pimatisiwin—Seeking a Good Life in Education: Two-eyed Seeing Approach through Life Writing, Teaching, Learning, and Lived Experiences | October 2020
Stacey Sinclair | My Learning and Teaching Bundle | October 2020
Joyce Soldier | Revitalizing Indigenous Languages | October 2020
Margaret Williams | Community-based Literacy Through Indigenous Métissage | October 2020
Lyle Wood | Finding our Roots/Routes Through Rivers, Lakes, and Portages: A Narrative Inquiry of Land-based Leadership | October 2020
Vanessa Zastre | Bridging the Gap: Early Years Indigenous Language Development Through Foundational Coding Technology | October 2020
Esther Hazendonk | Writing is Thinking Website | October 2020
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Savannah Newans | 2026 URA | Dr. Jennifer Watt (Supervisor) & Dr. Michelle Honeyford (Co-Supervisor)Katherine Magne | 2026 URA | Dr. Michelle Honeyford (Supervisor) & Dr. Jennifer Watt (Co-Supervisor)
Amber Vandenberg | 2025 – 2026 Psychology Honours Thesis | Dr. Jennifer Watt (Supervisor) Thesis Title: More Than Just Sex Ed: The Development of Queer Identity Through Instagram Reels
Lauryn Handoga | 2024 URA | Dr. Jennifer Watt (Supervisor) & Dr. Shannon Moore (Co-Supervisor)
Brooke Jackson | 2024 URA | Dr. Shannon Moore (Supervisor) & Dr. Jennifer Watt (Co-Supervisor)
Chris Hay | 2024 URA | Dr. Michelle Honeyford (Supervisor) & Dr. Jennifer Watt (Supporting Supervisor)
Selena Alevizos | 2023 URA | Dr. Jennifer Watt (Supervisor) & Dr. Shannon Moore (Co-Supervisor)
Mackenzie Groot | 2023 URA | Dr. Jennifer Watt (Supervisor) & Dr. Shannon Moore (Co-Supervisor)
Alex Delargo | 2023 URA | Dr. Shannon Moore (Supervisor) & Dr. Jennifer Watt (Co-Supervisor)
Teaching Awards
Olive Beatrice Stanton Award for Excellence in Teaching. Awarded by the University of Manitoba. May 2025.
Women in Education Award. Awarded by the University of Manitoba Student’s Union Women’s Centre. March 2025 (Magnificent Women’s Award Gala).
Migizii Award. Awarded by the University of Manitoba Indigenous Student Centre, nominated by M.Ed. student Ernestine Brazeau Huhtala which honours a University Manitoba staff of faculty member (Indigenous or non-Indigenous) who has made a significant impact on a student’s post-secondary journey. May 2022.
UMFA Merit Award for Teaching. Awarded by the University of Manitoba Faculty Association. May 2021.
Dr. J. M. Brown Award for Outstanding Contributions to Teacher Education. Awarded by the Faculty of Education Alumni Association. University of Manitoba. September 2019.
Centre for Teaching and Learning Student’s Teacher Recognition Award. Selected by the 2018 Undergraduate Student Awardee from the Faculty of Education, Alycia Lathlin-Monias, as a professor who significantly impacted her post-secondary education. University of Manitoba. May 2018.
Teacher of Excellence Award. Awarded by the Faculty of Education Student Council. May 2018.
Teacher of Excellence Award. Awarded by the Faculty of Education Student Council. May 2016.
Teacher of Excellence Award. Awarded by the Faculty of Education Student Council. May 2015.
Leading English Practitioner. Awarded by the Oxfordshire Local Education to recognize innovative English Language Arts teachers and to develop their leadership potential. 2003-2004.
Out-of-School Extra Award. National award in England presented for the creation of a Girls’ Club to empower and provide opportunities for personal and social growth at Oxford Community School. 2002-2004.