Michelle Colley studied environmental science at the University of Calgary and then took a year off to work at Big White Ski Resort. Just by chance she was hired as a carpenters’ helper and ended up spending the next 12 years working as a carpenter, completing her Red Seal with Selkirk College. Another twist of fate landed Michelle at Selkirk College, first as a carpentry instructor in continuing education, next as a relief instructor in carpentry, and finally where she currently resides in the upgrading department, primarily teaching sciences and math. Since joining the college, she’s also completed the provincial instructors’ diploma, and had the incredible opportunity to represent Selkirk College in a teaching opportunity in Kenya.
The biggest reward in Michelle’s role as an upgrading instructor is seeing how adult students apply their life experiences to learning. Everything changes when you return to school with a goal and approach exercises with the lens of how you’ll apply them outside of class. This perspective adds a richness to upgrading classes that makes Michelle’s heart and mind grow.
Michelle’s idea of a perfect day is a lengthy trail run in the mountains with her dog, picking huckleberries along the way.