In November, the literacy community lost a true innovator, Deborah Morgan, whose work transformed the way adult literacy is taught and understood. Deborah was the creator of Writing Out Loud workshops and books, powerful tools that have guided countless educators and learners on their literacy journeys. Through her innovative approach, Deborah not only helped teach literacy but also empowered adults to reclaim their voices and overcome barriers that had held them back for years.

Deborah’s impact on adult education stretched across Canada, where she worked to improve literacy support services and resources. Writing Out Loud offered an accessible way for learners to engage with writing. Deborah created a space where students could grow at their own pace and in their own way. This approach wasn’t just about writing—it was about building confidence, fostering a sense of community, and reminding people that their stories mattered, no matter their past challenges.

“You may be thinking, what’s so special about that, of course this is the way we work with learners,” said Diana Twiss, faculty in Capilano University’s Community Development and Outreach department and a former Decoda Literacy board member. “Let me assure you, thirty years ago this approach was quite unorthodox making Deb an innovator in the way we work with adult learners.”

The research on teaching writing

Writing Out Loud was written in 1997 as part of a final report for a provincially and federally funded literacy and life skills project called Chapters. The women who participated in the 3-year program felt it was important for others to learn about the benefits of the way the program had been set up. Their publication of writing ideas and reflections was written to encourage students and instructors to learn about the joys of writing by exploring life together through writing.

The overwhelming response to Writing Out Loud was a surprise to everyone. Why was there such a need for resources about writing?

“Deb engaged in research on how literacy practitioners were teaching writing in the classrooms[1], and that’s how I met Deb,” said Diana, who called Deborah a close colleague, friend and mentor for 25 years. “The result of her research was that only a few literacy instructors were using creative and freewriting as part of their practice. The reason behind it was that many instructors didn’t have confidence in their own writing. Writing Out Loud helped change that.”

A program for learners, a guide for practitioners

Writing Out Loud became both a program for learners and a guide for practitioners.

“Writing Out Loud is more than a guide to teaching writing, it is an approach to teaching adult literacy,” said Diana. “The chapters move you from the beginning of creating safe environments for learning, co-creating guidelines for how they will all work/learn together. Then it moves to low-risk writing and sharing and then ramps it up, encouraging learners to take more risks. It’s absolutely beautiful. It’s authentic, because it comes from supporting people to understand their lives.”

Deborah Morgan understood that many adult learners had faced trauma or long-term challenges that made traditional education seem out of reach. Through her Writing Out Loud program, she showed them that learning wasn’t a mystery for the chosen few—it was a journey they could take, with patience and respect.

Listening to learners and removing barriers

Diana remembers Deborah as a passionate advocate for adult literacy and the power of writing to heal.

“At the heart of it is that she listened to learners, she valued what they had to say,” Diana shared. “Despite the fact that they might not have finished high school, despite the fact that they may be caught up in complex multi-layered mental health, addictions, physical health – myriad issues and personal barriers, their voice mattered.”

Deborah’s approach to teaching wasn’t just about skills—it was about creating an environment where learners felt safe, respected, and valued. She started by creating a program that would physically work for learners by removing barriers to participation in programs. She helped provide supports like food, transportation, clothing, and changed class times to ensure that parents would still be able to drop off and pick up their children from school without missing class.

As Diana says, Deborah was a “guide on the side, not a sage on the stage.” In her classrooms, Deborah was not only an instructor but a fellow learner, writing alongside her students, sharing her own work and vulnerabilities. This mutual respect for the learning process helped build trust and encouraged students to believe in their own abilities, and to take risks in their writing.

The Writing Out Loud philosophy

The Writing Out Loud program isn’t just a method; it is a philosophy, a way of creating a community of learners who support one another and share their growth.

“When you write daily or regularly, you can start to identify certain themes of who you think you are. It helps you bust out of the script you believe defines your life,” said Diana. “You write your pieces, and you share your work by reading it out loud. You realize you aren’t alone. That’s why Writing out Loud is so magical. That’s why it works.”

It also had a ripple effect, benefiting not just individuals but their families and communities as well. Deborah understood that when people gain confidence and skills, they don’t just change—they help change the world around them.

Sharing a passion for learning

Deborah’s dedication to her craft was matched only by her love for learning and her unyielding spirit. Even as she battled Multiple Sclerosis for more than half her life, she continued to share her knowledge and passion with others. She was often seen riding her power chair around town, a friendly face clad in her favourite colour pink, continuing her work in the community and inspiring others to keep going no matter the obstacles.

Deborah’s birthday is on January 27, which coincides with Family Literacy Day. It is fitting for a woman who devoted her life to helping others find their voices through literacy.

Her work continues to inspire educators and learners. Through her books, workshops and sharing her methods with the literacy community, Deborah’s impact will continue to shape the future of literacy education for years to come.

Resources

Today, Writing Out Loud and More Writing Out Loud are no longer in print. However, you can borrow a copy from the Decoda Library.

You can also download the PDFs from the Community Adult Learning (CALP) Portal:

• Writing Out Loud
• More Writing Out Loud

Diana continues the legacy by providing Writing Out Loud training through Decoda’s online webinar sessions, at the Decoda Literacy Conferences and through other literacy organizations across Canada.

[1] Fahy, Patrick J and Deborah Morgan. “Current Writing Attitudes and Practices in Selected Adult Literacy Programs in Western Canada”. The Alberta Journal of Educational Research. Vol. XLV, No. 2, Summer 1999, 209-211.