My Journey
From understanding how people learn to creating Human Praxis — a practice focused on designing learning experiences that help people and organizations grow.
● Building the Foundation
McGill University
B.A. in Humanistic Studies
Minors in Psychology & Educational Psychology
My studies brought together the humanities, psychology, and education, giving me a strong understanding of how people learn, communicate, and develop. Coursework in educational psychology, learning theory, motivation, assessment, and inclusive education laid the foundation for the learner-centred approach that continues to shape my work today.
Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults
The Cambridge CELTA immersed me in a cycle of planning, teaching, observing, and reflecting. Through intensive lesson planning, observed teaching practice, and detailed feedback from experienced trainers, I learned to adapt instruction to learners' needs, respond in the moment, and continually refine my practice. This experience reinforced the importance of learner-centred teaching and established the reflective approach that continues to shape how I design learning experiences today.
● Learning by Teaching
Cambridge CELTA
Instructor Feedback
"Karen demonstrated an awareness and understanding of the range of backgrounds and experiences adult learners bring to the classroom and how this affects learning."
● Teaching Diverse Adult Learners
English Montreal School Board (EMSB)
Adult ESL Instructor
Facilitating English language learning for newcomer adults from diverse cultural, linguistic, and educational backgrounds deepened my understanding of learner-centred instruction. Every classroom brought together individuals with different life experiences, learning styles, and levels of confidence, requiring me to continually adapt lessons, communicate with clarity, and create an inclusive learning environment where every learner could participate and succeed.
Working with adult learners from around the world reinforced the importance of flexibility, empathy, and designing learning around the needs of the learner rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. These experiences strengthened the facilitation skills that continue to inform my work in instructional design today.
English Language Instructor
After a few years teaching adult ESL in Montreal, I took a six-month contract in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. While teaching at Chichén Itzá Language School, I worked with a variety of learners before the school secured a corporate client, Innova Sport. I was contracted to deliver on-site English training to retail employees, where I designed customized workplace learning materials based on the company's customer service procedures. Rather than teaching generic language lessons, I created practical learning activities centered on authentic job tasks, including greeting customers, recommending products, processing payments, explaining return and exchange policies, and communicating store services with confidence.
Designing learning around real workplace performance transformed how I viewed teaching. I realized that my greatest interest wasn't simply helping people learn English—it was helping employees develop the skills and confidence they needed to succeed in their roles. The experience strengthened my confidence, independence, adaptability, and instructional design skills while introducing me to workplace learning, a field that immediately resonated with me and inspired the next stage of my career.
● Discovering Workplace Learning
Chichén Itzá Language School
Corporate Trainer & Learning Facilitator
Working within the Human Resources department at the Grand Hyatt Riviera Maya, I designed and delivered English immersion training that supported employee development across a large luxury resort. In partnership with Human Resources, I created learning materials and facilitated programs that helped employees communicate confidently with English-speaking guests while preparing for new responsibilities and career growth.
I delivered training across nearly every department, including Front Office, Housekeeping, Food & Beverage, Finance, Procurement, and other operational teams. Designing learning around authentic workplace situations showed me how effective training could strengthen both employee confidence and organizational performance.
This experience confirmed that my passion extended beyond language instruction to workplace learning. Collaborating with Human Resources and seeing employees develop new skills and advance within the organization solidified my decision to pursue a career in Learning and Development. My work was recognized through positive feedback from leadership and by being named Employee of the Month.
● Becoming a Workplace Professional
Grand Hyatt Riviera Maya
Social Integration Services Teacher
As a Social Integration Services teacher with the English Montreal School Board, I designed and facilitated learning experiences that supported adults with diverse social, emotional, and mental health needs. My work extended beyond the classroom through partnerships with organizations including Saint-Columba House, the Allan Memorial Day Hospital, and Ometz, where I adapted instruction for a wide range of learners and settings.
Whether facilitating life skills, mental health recovery, communication, or community integration programs, I learned to create psychologically safe, inclusive learning environments that encouraged participation, built confidence, and responded to individual learner needs. These experiences strengthened my facilitation, curriculum design, and instructional planning skills while reinforcing my belief that effective learning begins with understanding the people you serve.
● Designing Inclusive Learning Experiences
English Montreal School Board
● The Next Chapter
Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to design learning experiences across classrooms, corporate environments, community organizations, and mental health settings. Each experience reinforced the same belief: meaningful learning happens when instruction is practical, inclusive, and centered on the needs of the learner.
Today, I bring together this diverse background with formal training in adult education, years of facilitation experience, and a growing focus on instructional design through Human Praxis — my learning and development practice.
My work is grounded in adult learning theory and evidence-based best practices, with a focus on creating learning that translates into real-world application and performance.
This portfolio represents the next chapter in that journey.
Interested in working together?
Thank you for taking the time to explore my portfiolio. I design engaging learning experiences that support real-world application and growth.
If you’re looking for someone to design learning solutions, facilitate training, or contribute to a collaborative L&D team, I’d love to connect.