Jessica Smith

Professor & Coordinator - Communications, MN(c), BScN, RN
academic_Upgrading

Intro

I am a mother of three daughters, and I was born and raised in Thunder Bay, but I have also spent some time living in Guelph and Sudbury. 

How/Why I Became a Teacher?:

I love working in a busy and dynamic atmosphere. I love coming together with people from all walks of life and learning from each other. I like to help people set and reach their goals, and I am very happy to be working with mature learners.

What I Like Most About Teaching?:

My favorite thing about teaching is helping people achieve their goals for education.

My Educational Background & Qualifications:

  • Master of Arts, English, Lakehead University
  • FSL 1, University of Western Ontario
  • Honours Bachelor of Arts, English and Biology, Lakehead University
  • Bachelor of Education, Lakehead University
  • I completed my H.B.Ed,  with a major in English and a minor in General Sciences, and my Masters of English at Lakehead University.  As well, I have taken several Indigenous Education courses, Biology courses, which focused on Human Anatomy and Physiology, and Women’s Studies courses.  

Awards & Recognition:

  • Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Award
  • Lakehead University Entrance Award

My Relevant Experience in the Field:

I have been teaching since 1999, and I have taught in both French and English languages and have taught in every grade from Kindergarten to grade 12 and beyond. Before I began teaching in the classroom, I taught swimming lessons and ran summer camps for a variety of local organizations. I have worked as a teacher, a florist, a lifeguard, a librarian, a potter and a plumber!  

My Hobbies & Other Interests:

Hiking, skiing, stand-up paddle boarding, swimming, rowing, sun worshipping, reading and pottery. I am the mother of three beautiful girls, and we enjoy spending a lot of time in the outdoors.  I also caught the travel bug a long time ago, and I like to visit new places as much as possible.  I thoroughly love my job in Academic Upgrading.

My insight, or words of advice regarding this program?:

Attendance and progress go hand-in-hand in our program. If you attend, we will help, and you will succeed.