Karen Doerr, M.A.
Professional Background
I have been in education most of my life, either as a student or as a teacher. After earning my master's in English literature at UMKC, I worked as a tutor at the Writing Lab there for over a decade. At the WL I often tutored international students and became intrigued with the patterns I saw in their writing and their different ideas about writing. To pursue this interest, I moved to Boston to study applied linguistics. After graduating from UMass Boston, I taught ESL to adults in the Boston area. I moved back to Kansas City for personal reasons and taught ESL to high schoolers and adults for several years before coming to work at the KUMC Writing Center.
After teaching in a variety of settings, I am happy working with university students again, especially one-on-one. Helping students reach their goals of becoming health care professionals is both challenging and rewarding. And when it comes to writing, everyone needs feedback at some point along the way. Through my own experience as a student, teacher, and writer, I realize there is no one way to approach writing. What works for me might not work for most. However, because of my experience and training, I can suggest other approaches. Through collaboration, I can help with all stages of the writing process-brainstorming, researching, organizing, drafting, and revising-so that students can learn the most effective ways to improve their own writing.
Outside of work, I enjoy taking long walks, reading and participating in a virtual book club, traveling, and trying out new recipes on my family and friends.
KUMC Writing Center
G011 Dykes Library
3901 Rainbow Blvd.
Mail Stop 4006
Kansas City, KS 66160
P: 913-945-8477
F: 913-588-6597
Education and Training
- M.A. in Applied Linguistics, University of Massachusetts, Boston
- B.A. and M.A. in English Literature, University of Missouri-Kansas City