Dr. Michelann Parr

Photo of Michelann Parr
Professor / Faculty of Education and Professional Studies - Schulich School of Education
Position
Full-time Faculty
Graduate Program Faculty
Extension
4424
Website
About
Education
BA (Honours), Nipissing University
BEd, Nipissing University
MEd, Nipissing University
PhD, McGill University
Research
Research Interests:

My interests reflect the themes of teacher, learner, and maternal identity; family and community engagement; narrative self-study, reflective practice, autoethnography; and education as sustainability. Care is the common thread that weaves these together: care of self, care in the world, and care in the classroom (See Designing for Care at Nipissing University’s Teaching Hub: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7b1VCnl40Mw).

Publications

Refereed Books

2025

Parr, M. (Ed). “I am, only because we are:” The gifts of radical kinship. Demeter Press. In process.

2024

Parr, M. (Ed). What the pain of mothers must never expose: Confronting the silences of maternal life. Demeter Press.

2023

Parr, M. & Martin, B.A. (Eds.). Mothering outside the lines: Tales of boundary-busting mamas. Demeter Press.

2020

Martin, B.A., & Parr, M. (Eds.). Writing mothers: Narrative acts of care, redemption, and transformation. Demeter Press

2007

Parr, M., & Campbell, T. Teaching the language arts: Engaging literacy practices, John Wiley & Sons

 

Reviewed/Edited Books

2012

Parr, M. & Campbell, T. Balanced literacy essentials: Weaving theory into practice for successful instruction in reading, writing, and talk, Toronto, ON: Pembroke Publishers

 

Refereed Creative Submissions

2025

Parr, M. F*ck: A family retrospective; M/other, Matricentric artist and activist; Just breathe; umbilical and (un)tethered; At-one-ment. A mother(hood)fucking arsenal of poetry. Edited by V. Bailey, Demeter Press. Six poems accepted for publication

 

Refereed Book Chapters              

2025

Parr, M. Embracing the un-ness: Co-construction as heartwork. Co-construction in education. Edited by S. Koseoglu, A. Pazurek, & A. Voskou. Open Book Publishers, in process

 

2025

Parr, M. I am (in fragments) what my m/others endured. Book title to be decided, in process

 

2024

Parr, M. Introduction. What the pain of mothers must never expose. Edited by M. Parr. Demeter Press

 

2024

Parr, M. Letting go: Writing through the pain. What the pain of mothers must never expose. Edited by M. Parr. Demeter Press

 

2024

Parr, M. Out of praxis, theory: Being and becoming a matricentric feminist. The mother wave: Matricentric feminism as theory, practice, and experience. Edited by A. O’Reilly, & F. J. Green. Demeter Press

 

2023

Parr, M. Introduction: (Re)Setting boundaries: An invitation to mother outside the lines.  Mothering outside the lines: Tales of boundary-busting mamas. Edited by M. Parr and BA. Martin. Demeter Press

 

2023

Parr, M. Post Script: Threads of continuity. Mothering outside the lines: Tales of boundary-busting mamas. Edited by M. Parr and BA. Martin. Demeter Press

 

2023

Parr, M. Breaking the silences of my motherhood: Rabbit holes, false starts, (un)finished fragments, hopeful connections. Mothering outside the lines: Tales of boundary-busting mamas (Working title). Edited by BA. Martin & M. Parr. Demeter Press

 

2022

Martin, BA., & Parr, M. From mourning to greeting: Predicaments and possibilities of maternal regret. Maternal regret: Resistances, renunciations, and reflections. Edited by A. O’Reilly. Demeter Press

 

2020

Martin, BA., & Parr, M. An introduction and an invitation to story. Writing mothers: Narrative acts of care, redemption, and transformation. Edited by BA. Martin an M. Parr. Demeter Press

 

2020

Parr, M. The possibility of everything: A mother’s story of transformation. In BA. Martin & M. Parr. Writing mothers: Narrative acts of care, redemption, and transformation. Demeter Press

 

2020

Martin, BA., & Parr, M. Mapping motherhood: Where do we go from here? In BA Martin & M. Parr. Writing mothers: Narrative acts of care, redemption, and transformation. Demeter Press

 

2016

Parr, M. Baby steps: That was the way to do it. In C. DeRoche & E. Berger (Eds.). The parent-track: Timing, balance, and choice within academia. Wilfrid Laurier University Press

 

2016

Vander Dussen, M. & Parr, M. Breaking online tradition: Journalling as authentic interaction, reflective practice, and crystallization of self, in A. Flood & K. Coleman (Eds.), Enabling Reflective thinking: Reflection and reflective practice in learning and teaching. Common Ground

2009

Parr, M. Just like Frederick: Literacy journeys into another time, another place, in W. Richardson & C. Richardson (Eds.), Walking the talk (pp. 129-138). Destselig

 

Refereed Articles

2024

Grant, R., Mady, C., & Parr, M. Supporting French as a second language teachers’ language proficiency and confidence through professional development. International Journal of Education and Social Sciences, 5, 1033-1038.

 

2022

Driessens, S., & Parr, M. Humanizing with humility: The challenge of creating caring, compassionate, and hopeful education spaces in higher education, Open/Technology in Education, Society, and Scholarship Association Journal, 2(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.18357/otessaj.2022.2.1.22

 

2022

Picard, S., & Parr, M. What the heart won’t forget: Reflections on living, dying, and transcendence, Advanced Development, 19, 61-75.

 

2020

Driessens, S., & Parr, M. Re-writing the wor(l)d: Quick writes as a space for critical literacy, The Reading Teacher, 73(4), 415-426

 

2016

VanderDussen, M. & Parr, M.  Family-school (dis)engagement: Understanding what it is and what it’s not. Language and Literacy, 19(1), 48-62, https://journals.library.ualberta.ca/langandlit/index.php/langandlit/ar…

 

2015

Parr, M. & Campbell, T. What makes a great submission to What Works: Research into Practice (Peer Reviewed Editorial), What Works? Research into Practice, Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat, OADE, January 2015

 

2014

Carney, P.  & Parr, M. Resilient, active, and flourishing: Supportive positive mental health and well-being in school communities, What Works? Research into Practice, Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat, OADE, Research Monograph #58

 

2013

Parr, M. Supporting families as collaborators in children’s literacy development, What Works? Research into Practice, Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat, OADE, Research Monograph #47, http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/literacynumeracy/inspire/research/WW_Familes_Literacy.pdf Highlighted resource for the Parent Involvement Committee Conference at the Ontario Ministry of Education, May 2013

 

2013

Parr, M. Text-to-speech technology as inclusive reading practice: Changing perspectives, overcoming barriers, Learning Landscapes (Living in the Digital World: Possibilities and Challenges), 6(2), 303-322, www.learninglandscapes.ca/images/documents/ll-no12/parr.pdf

 

2013

Campbell, T., & Parr, M. Mapping today’s literacy landscapes: Navigational tools and practices for the journey, Journal of Adult and Adolescent Literacy, 57(2), 131–140. DOI: 10.1002/JAAL.203

 

2012

Parr, M., & Campbell, T. Understanding literacy as our W.O.R.L.D. inheritance: Re-visioning literacy discourse and its implications for teaching practice, International Review of Education, 58, 557-574, DOI: 10.1007/s11159-012-9297-1

 

2012

Parr, M., & Campbell, T. Using story as sites of dialogue, disillusionment, and development of dispositions to support inclusive education, Creative Education, DOI: 10.4236/ce.2012.33054

 

2012

Campbell, T. & Parr, M. Writing as literacy journey: Deconstructing and re-visioning our literacy stories, International Journal of Learning, 18(7), 187-198

 

2011

Parr, M., Campbell, T., & Richardson, C. Performance as inquiry: Engaging in impassioned conversation instead of hearing polite applause, Reflective Practice, 13(2), 295-310

 

2011

Parr, M, & Campbell, T. Educating for identity: Problematizing and unpacking our literacy pasts, Alberta Journal of Education, 57(3), 335-346

2011

Parr, M. Venturing into the unknown of ethnography: Reflexive questions to love and cautionary ethics to live by, Reflective Practice, 12(6), 803-815

2011

Parr, M. The voice of text-to-speech technology: One possible solution for struggling readers, What Works? Research into Practice, Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat, OADE, Research Monograph #35, http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/literacynumeracy/inspire/research/WW_TTST… (French Translation: La technologie de synthèse de la parole: est-elle une solution possible pour les élèves éprouvant des difficultés en lecture? (May 2012)

2010

Parr, M. Solving ethical dilemmas with children: Empowering classroom research, McGill Journal of Education, 45(3), 451-462

2010

Campbell, T., & Parr, M. Literacies and multiliteracies: Navigating our way to expanded conceptions of literacy, The International Journal of Diversity in Organisations, Communities, and Nations, 10(2), 331-339

2009

Campbell, T., Parr, M., & Richardson, C. From implicit intention to exquisite expression: Finding metaphors for who we are and what we do, Journal of Transformative Education, 7(3), 209-229

2008

Parr, M., & Campbell, T. Lit-folios: Pre-service teachers practice as readers, writers, and literacy teachers, The Reading Professor, 30(2), 12-18

2008

Parr, M., & Campbell, T. Reading Lolita: A dialogic encounter with self and others, Language & Literacy, 10(2), http://ejournals.library.ualberta.ca/index.php/langandlit/article/view/…

2008

Richardson, C., Parr, M., & Campbell, T. Solitary dissonance and collaborative consonance: Trialogue as a reflective practice that resonates, Reflective Practice, 9(2), 281-291

2007

Campbell, T., & Parr, M. My heart thumps in my ears and my head swims! Drama as reader response: Reducing the risks, The Reading Professor, 28(1), 54-61 (One of four nominated for best article award, 2011, Professors of Reading Teacher Educators, International Reading Association)

2006

Parr, M., & Campbell, T. Poets in practice, The Reading Teacher, 60(1), 36-46

2005

Parr, M. Knowing is not enough: We must do! Teacher development through engagement in learning opportunities, International Journal of Learning, 12(11), online

2005

Laronde, G., & Parr, M. Living and learning through outdoor and experiential education courses: A narrative description of the lived experiences of faculty and pre-service teachers, International Journal of Learning, 12(9), online

2003

Parr, M. Preparing for diversity: Standards of practice for regular classroom teachers of students with special needs, International Journal of Learning, 1, online

 

Reviewed/Edited Articles

2025

Book Review: “Shattered motherhood: Surviving the guilt of a child’s suicide,” International Journal of Women’s Studies, September

2021

Parr, M. Take teaching and learning outdoors! An open invitation to educational leaders, leachers, and learners, CAP Journal: The Canadian Resource for School-Based Leadership, Fall Issue

2019

Driessens, S., & Parr, M. Cultivating critical imaginations in ourselves, others, and the world. CAP Journal: The Canadian Resource for School-Based Leadership, Spring Issue.

2018

Sharma, S., & Parr, M. Student engagement and technology: What educational leaders and teachers need to know. CAP Journal: The Canadian Resource for School-Based Leadership, Fall Issue

2017

Wilcox, K., & Parr, M. Text-to-speech and speech-to-technologies as inclusive reading and writing practices. CAP Journal: The Canadian Resource for School-Based Leadership, Spring Issue