Meet the Ink Dot Academy Founders & Educators
Karen Stanley & Julie Bevan
Karen Stanley BA PGCE MSc is a former teacher and assistant headteacher with over 20 years experience.
She has a wealth of curriculum knowledge and is passionate about inclusion and helping children and young people to find their unique strengths and passions.
Karen is an accomplished writer having written and published 15 books in the women's fiction and children's genres. After leaving teaching, she set up her own writing academy and subsequently her own publishing house (Mabel and Stanley Publishing) within which she has now mentored and published around 60 plus new authors from a variety of disciplines and walks of life.
Karen has a longstanding passion for literacy and all things bookish and believes that there is more to storytelling than simply placing words on a page - she is a huge advocate for fostering the creative process behind writing and the power of unique expression.
She delivers creative writing workshops for businesses, individuals, educational establishments and fostering agencies. She is also a curriculum expert for Children’s Activity Providers and an Enterprise Advisor for a secondary school.
She is a motivational speaker, particularly on the topic of the power of writing, has written a plethora of stories and texts for SATs and other assessment bodies, and educational schemes of work for a variety of organisations both nationally and internationally.
Julie Bevan is an Art and Mindset Educator, dedicated to nurturing creativity and empowering the next generation.
Julie has a deep-rooted passion for creativity and a commitment to fostering self-expression. Her approach integrates the development of art & creativity with a focus on self-expression and mindset; encouraging children to build confidence, and increase well-being through their creative endeavours.
Julie is the founder and franchisor of Dot Kids, a multi-award-winning innovative approach to Art Education, which focuses on children’s self-expression and creative confidence through the transformative power of art.
Dot Kids is expanding through it’s successful franchising model, bringing Julie's vision to communities nationwide.
Inclusivity is a cornerstone of Julie's educational philosophy. She is passionate about creating spaces where all children, regardless of their background or abilities, feel welcomed and valued.