Alumni Book Nook: Katie White (BEd’92, MEd’09)

University of Saskatchewan (USask) graduate Kathleen (Katie) White is a writer and educational consultant who co-authored the book Concise Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Assessment and Grading, with Nicole Dimich, Cassandra Erkens, Jadi Miller, and Tom Schimmer. White has also written three other solo-authored books: Softening the Edges: Assessment Practices that Honor K-12 Teachers and Learners (2017); Unlocked: Assessment as the Key to Everyday Creativity in the Classroom (2018); and Student Self-Assessment: Data Notebooks, Portfolios, and Other Tools to Advance Learning (2022).

White, who lives and works in Saskatchewan, said the authors’ goal for Concise Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Assessment and Grading was “to provide clarity about assessment and grading in easy-to-access responses.” White believes anyone who works in an educational context and who uses assessment to make decisions in service of learning would benefit from reading the book. “If you have ever asked, ‘What are the best practices in grading and assessment?’ then look no further,” she said. “Your most challenging questions are answered through this FAQ dialogue that covers how to implement effective and strong assessment practices quickly and easily.”

White studied in the College of Education and earned two degrees at USask: A bachelor of education in 1992 and a master of education in 2009. The Green&White asked White a few questions about her work in the education sector and what inspires her to write non-fiction books for teachers.

Since I received my bachelor’s and, later, my master’s degree, I have been a teacher, administrator, and system leader for the North East School Division. I retired in June of 2023, and I am continuing to work full-time as an author and educational consultant with schools and systems around the world. I also do contracted writing, with my most recent project being the Accreditation Training manuals for the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation. My primary areas of focus are classroom assessment, differentiated instruction, systemic interventions, and leadership.

I am passionate about learning and exploring the best ways to facilitate learning for every student. I am also highly supportive of the work teachers and educational leaders do everyday in our schools and I have tried to write books that are both practical and inspirational. I love writing, and authoring educational books has been a great way to combine my love of learning with my creative inclinations.

I enjoy crafting work that makes complex and critical processes accessible and effective. In my writing, I try to find a balance between a highly narrative style and practical tools and processes that will make the concepts I am exploring applicable in real contexts. I lean heavily into research, which I really enjoy, but the art, to me, is in making the research accessible. This is a meaningful part of the work for me.

My books have sold very well in the educational sphere. Universities have used my books for their assessment courses, and I have been invited to facilitate learning experiences for educators as a result of my work. What means the most to me is when teachers tell me that they have felt seen and heard within my writing. It has always been my intention to honour the efforts of educators and the students in their care—so, when I achieve that, I am very satisfied.