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 Karen Jean Matsko Hood
began her professional writing career later in life than she expected. She
is now a prolific writer of fiction, non-fiction and poetry for adults and
children. Hood’s first books of poetry present a distinctive combination
of themes and poetic formats. Both her fiction and non-fiction exhibit a
unique voice of compassion and purpose. Hood’s writing is strong-minded
yet lyrical. She is a meticulous wordsmith and writes with passion. Her
blend of traditionalism and modernism brings a current freshness and
uniqueness to her poetic voice. She is versatile in her writing style and
deals with a wide range of themes and topics. Her writing has been
published in a myriad of magazines and publications and on an
international level.
Hood’s writing reminds us of the importance of our link with nature and
the environment in our daily lives. Demonstrating common crises essential
to our core, her poetry also voices outrage at social injustices and
inequalities. The reoccurring theme in Hood’s non-fiction is providing a
voice for those whose struggles are otherwise ignored. Hood’s poetry
brings poignancy to the most hopeless of situations. She is optimistic in
her quest for dignity and social justice. Hood also writes about personal
and spiritual themes, is a passionate feminist and an ardently active
child’s rights advocate. She writes with a proud regionalism, yet expands
her writing to international concerns. Hood reveals her twin hearts in her
writing: One is in awe of the beauty of life and nature, while the other
struggles with social injustice and inequity.
As a researcher Karen Jean Matsko Hood places her focus on child abuse and
neglect and drug abuse. She also researches to find possible solutions to
these growing social problems. Hood has incorporated the studies of
findings of research and drug abuse in families in her writings. Hood also
recently had to deal with her own household problems in finding mold
growing in her home which inspired her to write and conduct more research
on how mold in homes can be dangerous and unhealthy for families. Hood’s
research topics include such diverse topics as education, attachment
disorder, attachment disorder therapy and treatment, the foster care
system, human development, and parenting. Hood uses her B.S. Degree in
Natural Science along with her research training in her Ph. D. program to
conduct research on various plants and animal topics including equine and
botanical research.
Hood is a certified teacher in Washington and Idaho. Hood is in currently
certified to teach in the State of Washington in the areas of
anthropology, psychology, sociology, biology and comparative religions for
grades 6-12. She is also certified to teach in the State of Idaho in the
areas of anthropology, sociology, psychology, and biology science for
grades 6-12. She incorporates her experience and research into her
writings. She is especially interested in researching the principles of
leadership and finding improved methods in education. She also strives to
find ways to improve the current educational system. Hood is a member for
the Center of Organizational Reform (COR), which advocates using
leadership skills to bring about positive changes in organizations,
communities, and schools.
As a speaker, Hood has appeared on many talk radio shows throughout the
nation. She is interviewed about her writing, research completed for her
books, and also answers questions as to what inspired her to write on some
troubling issues in today’s society. If you would like to invite Karen
Jean Matsko Hood to speak to your group or organization, may contact Ms.
Hood with the information provided below. She would be happy to get in
touch with you to set up arrangements for speaking to your group.
Karen Jean Matsko Hood is an avid child advocate. She works with children
as a foster parent in the State of Washington as well as a Court Appointed
Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer and Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) in the
Spokane juvenile court system. Hood and her husband exhibit a strong
passion to advocate for the rights of abused and neglected children on a
local, national and international level. Hood is also an advocate of
literacy for children and is currently interested in conducting research
in this area. She has written many articles advocating for foster children
and adoption. Hood writes to share experiences of the children who have no
voice that she encounters in her daily work.
Hood was born and raised in Great Falls, Montana. She attended the College
of St. Benedict and St. John’s University in Minnesota. She received a
B.S. Degree in Natural Science and minored in both psychology and
secondary education from the College of St. Benedict. After graduating,
Karen and her husband taught science and math on the island of St. Croix
in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Hood also completed postgraduate classes at
the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. She has also completed
post-graduate classes at North Idaho College in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. In
May 2001, she completed her Master’s Degree in Pastoral Ministry from
Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. Hood is currently working to
complete her Ph.D. in Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University. She will
continue to report her research findings in her new writing.
With her husband, ten children and foster children, Hood currently resides
in Greenacres, Washington. Her interests include writing, researching,
teaching, and volunteering as a child advocate. Hood also is a literary
advocate for youth and adults. Her hobbies include cooking, baking,
photography, raising Icelandic horses and Icelandic sheepdogs, indoor and
outdoor gardening and cultivating unusual flowering plants and orchids.
Hood also enjoys observing hummingbirds and other bird-watching
activities. She demonstrates a passionate appreciation of nature and the
environment.
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