Learning has been a constant in my life. When
I look at the family tree on my mother's side, half of my aunts and uncles are
teachers, the other half electricians. While my grasp on electrical work
begins and ends with which part of a plug to stick in the wall, teaching has
been very natural and was clearly in my DNA. I just didn't know it until
recently.
My career focused on hospitality and accounting
since the mid-1990's, when I began working with several large hotel chains.
I completed my Certified Management Accountant designation in 2003 and
worked as a financial controller. I
loved the problem-solving aspect of accounting and the team aspect of hospitality.
In an interesting paradox I was able to work from one promotion to another, yet
was feeling less engaged.
While still working as a financial controller in
2010, I tried teaching a mixed-delivery class about accounting for Royal Roads
University. I realized that using my
hard skills in the workplace was a lot less satisfying than using my soft
skills and teaching other people. My challenge was that I lacked a
clear strategy on how to successfully make the transition to teaching full time.
At the end of 2011 I decided to begin teaching
full-time. After talking with contacts at both Royal Roads University and
Camosun College, I was able to organize enough courses to make a full-time job.
My challenge was that I had the job I wanted, but had no idea how to properly
do it! Fortunately I took Camosun’s instructor skills workshop before starting,
which taught me some life-saving strategies for teaching in the classroom. While reflecting on the success of that
course, I decided to take the entire Provincial Instructor Diploma Program
(PIDP). One year later I couldn't be happier with the journey I’ve embarked on…
On a side note, I’ve had a wonderful support
network with my wife and three children.
While we miss the perks that come with working for a hotel chain, our
lives are more complete with the extra support I can now offer at rowing,
soccer, cadets, skating, and swimming.
“Uncertainty can be the guiding light” - Bono
