Sessional Instructor
Dr. Roach O'Keefe began working with indigenous communities in 2005, co-designing and implementing culturally relevant family literacy programs through consultation with Elders and community members in Epekwitk (PEI) and continued this work in Eskasoni (We'kwistoqnik), Nova Scotia. She has received teachings from the Edlers in the Mi'kmaq community, at UPEI, and has continued her learning through the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. She is proud of her Indigenous ancestry and is honoured to be part of the team with UPEI's Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research, and Applied Studies (IKERAS). She is committed to reconciliation and excited to help students learn about Indigenous knowledge and history.
Dr. Roach O'Keefe works full time with the Public Service Commission as the Manager of Organizational Development, with government wide focus on designing innovative programs that support strategic HR policy, planning and performance, talent development, employee experience and engagement, and leadership development for civil service employees.
She enjoys teaching and researching part time as an assistant professor at the University of Western Ontario, and a sessional lecturer at both University of New Brunswick and University of Prince Edward Island. She has been involved in over 18 research projects in multiliteracies, indigenous family literacy, kindergarten, professional development/ professional learning communities, and leadership development. She has published many articles in peer reviewed journals and presents regularly at academic conferences both locally and nationally. She has served as a board member/ director to the National Canadian Evaluation Society, Co-editor for the Journal of Childhood Studies, as a member of the Residential Schools Education - Atlantic Collaboration Committee (Addressing Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action).
She and her husband Sean live in Stratford with their son Emerson, and two miniature poodles: Sophie and Georgia. When they are not at the hockey rink, ball field, or beach, they love to read, travel and spend time with family and friends.