Instructor Bios
School of ConstructionMeet... 
I have been teaching in the Architectural Technologies program for five years. I teach both first year courses and the second year residential option. I helped to establish the semester exchange program with Box Hill Institute in Melbourne, Australia and I am an advisor and mentor to two second-year students on the ‘Pana Project’, a student-initiated humanitarian design project in Guatemala. Along with that I am heading a new collaborative project that involves 10 SAIT students and 10 Turkish architecture students, who are working together on design solutions for the East Village via the Internet. Life before SAIT: For 15 years, I was a partner at an Edmonton based design-build company specializing in residential renovations, new custom homes, and commercial, retail and custom furniture design. Prior to that, I worked at various architectural firms in Montreal, Israel and Norway. I’ve also done a lot of traveling throughout the South Pacific, Asia and Europe. Favourite moments in class: Being a teacher is somewhat like being a pinball machine. I go into the classroom, pull a lever, and throw a ball out. The ball is cast, and it’s my job to keep it in the air while the students react, take the idea, and keep bouncing it around. The more I nudge them to keep it up, the better the idea becomes and the more committed the students are to lead the outcome. For the Guatemala project, it was great for the students to see that they know more than they think they do. They took what they learned in class and applied it successfully in a completely different context. Spare Time: I love scuba diving, which is a bit crazy given that I live in Alberta. I also enjoy spending time biking, skiing and exploring new places. Best thing about teaching at SAIT: Working at SAIT gives me the opportunity to continue to learn and grow—I’m constantly learning from my students and colleagues. I love seeing the progress students make over their two years here. Some students come here with a limited expectation of what they wish to accomplish, but they leave with a bigger picture for themselves and their capabilities. They graduate not only with diploma from SAIT, but with a mission and a purpose. Students weigh in: "Marc has been instrumental not only in my success, but also in my enthusiasm for the Architectural Technologies program. His knowledge, experience and passion create a learning environment where students can excel beyond their imaginations and enrich their education in a way they never thought possible. Marc has a knack for pushing students to discover their limits, which, in my case, are well beyond what I had imagined. I am very confident that the educational foundation he has helped build will serve me well in the future." "What I love most about Marc is his sense of the possibilities. He rarely accepts the status quo, and if he does, I know he's questioned it first. In turn, Marc encourages his students to dream big and think outside the standard house box. He also treats his students as his equals and speaks to us as though we’re already in the industry—trusted colleagues, in a sense. Consequently, he’s given me faith and confidence in my abilities and made me excited about the work prospects ahead."
Meet... 
I am a Master Electrician and have been teaching in the Electrical Apprenticeship Program in the School of Construction since 2006. I started my apprenticeship in 1999 and graduated from SAIT from the same program I now teach. Life before SAIT: After training at a local recording studio I needed some work to supplement my income in between recording sessions. I used to think that I stumbled upon a job as an apprentice while searching for something temporary, but realized quickly that I had instead discovered a rewarding career as a tradesperson, and I have not looked back since. In seven years in the field I have been fortunate to gain experience in many facets of our trade including residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and PLCs. Favourite moments in class: I have a deep passion for the program in which I teach; even, and perhaps especially, for the material that students traditionally find pretty boring (i.e. Electrical Code). I get great satisfaction from seeing my students adopt some of that enthusiasm. Spare Time: Having a two-year-old son at home has shifted how I spend much of my spare time. Aside from revelling in his exploration of the world, I also enjoy photography, movies, and music. As well, I love to play football and do so almost every week of the year (rain, snow, or sun). Best thing about teaching at SAIT: Every new group of students offers different challenges and different rewards; that means no two semesters are ever the same, even if the material is. Student or Alumni quotes on instructor: “I am a colleague of Tim’s working as an instructor in the electrical department. I feel fortunate in that Tim is always ready to help me out and is very efficient and prompt in terms of giving me material and ideas on presenting material in class. He never fails to impress me with his knowledge of the subject matter and his skills with the equipment in Labs, computers, and other things an instructor has to deal with. I cannot recall a time when Tim was unable or unwilling to go above and beyond to ensure my transition from tradesman to instructor was smooth and enjoyable. I am happy to count him as a friend.” Meet... 
I have worked in the plumbing and gas trade for 16 years and have been instructing at SAIT Polytechnic for the last six years. Life before SAIT: I completed my Plumbing and Gasfitting apprenticeship in Kamloops at Thompson Rivers University. During and after my apprenticeship I worked throughout British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and the Yukon. It was a great experience that gave me a chance to explore northern Canada while learning my trade. Before moving to Calgary in 2003, I ran my own plumbing and heating company in Kamloops and area for four years. Favourite moments in class: One of my favourite parts of teaching is watching the transformation of a “green” first-year plumbing/gasfitting student –who enters the trade under the impression that all that plumbers and gasfitters do is thread, crimp and glue pipe together – into a journeyman who can design, install and repair any type of plumbing, gas or hydronics system. I also love seeing students’ faces when I tell them on their first day of class that when they finish their four-year apprenticeship with SAIT they will be issued their PhD (Plumbing, Heating and Drain certification). Spare time: I don’t have a lot of time for hobbies other than spending time with my three-year-old son who is extremely busy. When my wife, who also teaches at SAIT, and I get a few days off we enjoy traveling, camping, fishing and quading. When we are not venturing off to another country or into the great outdoors I enjoy watching football and playing golf. Best thing about teaching at SAIT: Wow, so many things... I love the work atmosphere SAIT provides and that SAIT promotes education and has incentives and support to help you reach your educational goals. I really enjoy the team I get to work with every day as we have a lot of fun together and we all provide support to each other. And of course the students... I love teaching and helping the students and the rewards this provides; nothing feels better than having a student that I’ve been tutoring call me after they receive their marks and say, “Thanks for the extra help; I couldn’t have done it without you.” Others weigh in: Colleague: “Donnie is a very knowledgeable individual so we have had some great discussions. The best part of having a discussion with Donnie is he is open to others having a different opinion and accepts that difference instead of criticizing.” Student: “Donnie is always willing to help students whether it’s in class or on his own time outside of class for as long as it takes for us to learn the material. If a student doesn’t understand the way Donnie has taught something, he always finds another way to explain the material in a way that we can understand. Donnie is a very dedicated instructor.” Meet... 
I have been teaching in the Sheet Metal program since 1998. I have my Journeyman Certification in the trade of Sheet Metal, along with Building Operator A and Architectural Drafting qualifications. Industry training on building code related to sheet metal regulations is ongoing training I take every year. Life before SAIT: 1978 was the start of my career in sheet metal and I completed my apprenticeship 1984. Spending a total of 18 years on large commercial HVAC and custom projects throughout Calgary and the province of Alberta as a shop fabricator provided me with an opportunity to develop all the necessary knowledge and hand skills of the trade. Favourite moments in class: Training a candidate for Skills Canada and helping him prepare for the WorldSkills competition in Seoul, South Korea were the most memorable moments. The best laugh in class was teaching 3rd year theory to a 1st year group. The best reward is the look on a student’s face when he or she is successful. Spare time: Riding ATVs and spending time in the mountains. Favourite movie is K2, and favourite book is Peak Finder Canadian Rockies. Best thing about teaching at SAIT: Being around people where learning is a common goal. Helping others succeed. A sense of ownership, pride and passion make everything about SAIT a great place to be. I enjoy sharing information with others and this is what made SAIT so attractive for me. “A dream comes true.” Students weigh in: "Students often comment on how good an instructor George is and how much they have learned from him." Meet... 
I am an instructor with the Pipe Trades section and I teach gasfitting courses to plumbers, gasfitters and refrigeration mechanics. I am occasionally asked to teach a course on plumbing which is a welcome challenge. Life before SAIT: I started plumbing in 1987 and finished my education at SAIT in 1991 with both Interprovincial Plumbing and Gasfitter tickets. I had one employer the entire time I worked on the tools who would not say no to any job, so my work experience is very diverse. Spare time: My wife Rhonda and I consider ourselves to be professional volunteers. We are on volunteer lists for many community, school and sports organizations around Calgary and some in Edmonton. We are heavily involved in scouting in Canada and abroad which leads to additional volunteering opportunities both in and out of scouting. I love to cook! I don’t know if my cooking would impress the Culinary Arts instructors but my friends and family always seem to enjoy what I prepare for them. I have a new smoker, so recently I have been experimenting with that. We are very proud of our 19-year-old son Jordan, who is in his first year at Mount Royal University. Best thing about teaching at SAIT: The thing I enjoy most is the support we instructors get from each other. I never would have survived my first intake if it weren’t for the help I received, not only from the instructors in our department, but all the instructors on the 4th floor of the Thomas Riley Building. Teaching at SAIT has also given me opportunity to further my own education and I’m currently finishing my Provincial Instructor Diploma with Vancouver Community College. I love it when a student stops me on the street, smiles, shakes my hand and says thanks. A student weighs in: The best compliment I received from a student was, “Say what you want about Mike, but when I went into the TQ exam, I was prepared.” I knew then that I had done my job. Meet... 
I teach in the Architectural Technologies full-time program, and Continuing Education Distance Education courses. Life before SAIT: I graduated from SAIT in the program I now teach in. I worked for about 20 years in the architectural and engineering industry mainly in Calgary, as well as on some projects in the US and around Canada. I’ve worked on projects for almost every type of building or facility imaginable. I am always taking classes in related topics, either at the University of Calgary or at SAIT. Favourite moments in class: Those favourite moments are when I see the students enjoying what they are learning. Spare time: I never sit still. I work on my paintings, spend time with my son, walk my dogs, renovate my house, enjoy the outdoors and love to travel. Best thing about teaching at SAIT: I teach the things I love to do: 3D rendering and architectural visualization. Students weigh in: “Lyndsay is a personable and inspired instructor who invests in the achievement of her class.” “Her instructions are detailed and informative; she is a strong, well-rounded instructor who takes great consideration for her class and has a great deal of respect for each individual.” Meet... 
I have been working at SAIT since 2006 and teach in the Process Piping Drafting Fast-Track program. Process Piping Drafting is a high-intensive 29-week program in which the students complete 850 hours in seven months and then a four-week practicum before graduating. I also teach some Continuing Education courses including digital drafting and AutoCAD. Life before SAIT: I am from Sao Paulo, Brazil and have been in Calgary for 11 years. In Brazil I worked at several jobs including mechanical engineer, department coordinator and researcher at a university, and also as a college instructor teaching computer-aided design (CAD). What’s interesting about CAD and Piping is that they are international languages and don’t change between countries. I came to Canada as a tourist and fell in love with the nature here including the mountains, lakes and wildlife. I decided it was now or never and made the move having never taken a formal English class. I found work first as a cleaner and then a HandiBus driver. I met many everyday heroes and learned some big lessons about not taking life for granted which I continue to carry with me. I have also adjusted to the weather! (Brazil is tropical and 18 degrees is cold). Favourite moments in class: I love being able to compare the students’ skills at the beginning and the end of a program. We can reminisce that seven months prior they couldn’t draw a straight line and now they are building 3D models. It is all part of their learning and improvement experience. And then they get a job and I can say to myself, “Done.” Spare time: I love hiking and walking my dogs in Canmore and Kananaskis Country. I could never get tired of looking at the mountains. I also like books, music and cooking. Best thing about teaching at SAIT: I love that SAIT is an open environment where your colleagues and students take you seriously and problems are shared and discussed for improvement. A student weighs in: "Hélio is often positively remarked upon for establishing a relaxed, funny and approachable learning environment where the students feel confident and that they have a good relationship with their instructor." Meet... 
I am in my third year of teaching at SAIT. My focus is mainly on teaching first-year students the details of single family residential design, drawing and construction. Life before SAIT: I most recently worked as an architect with both Jeremy Sturgess Architecture and housebrand. I received my master’s degree in architecture from the University of Calgary, my diploma in Architectural Technologies from SAIT Polytechnic, and my undergraduate degree in geography from the University of Saskatchewan. Favourite moments in class: I like seeing our students grow from shy first-year kids to confident young adults, to mature professionals, right in front of our eyes. At the same time, my relationship with them grows from instructor to mentor to colleague. That’s pretty cool! Spare time: First and foremost, I try to be a good husband to my wife and a good father to my three boys. After my family, I really enjoy architecture and traveling and was lucky enough to live in Barcelona and experience both. I also enjoy all sports but especially hockey, running, golf, wakeboarding and surfing. Best thing about teaching at SAIT: You mean other than the nine weeks of vacation? I really enjoy the students and the energy and passion they bring to daily life on campus. Without them, this would just be a job, but it’s cool how every semester you get a new, energetic group who really remind you why you do what you do. Students weigh in: “Paul’s experiences that he brought into the class, combined with his teaching methods, made a huge difference to me in that we didn’t just learn the material, we fully understood how it worked. If you were having an off-day, Paul always had a joke or story that even if it didn’t help put you on track, it made the day that much brighter.” “Paul is an instructor who brings passion to the material he is teaching. He makes classes fun, but still pushes his students to be creative. I found Paul’s experience in industry to be a huge advantage to his students, forming his teaching style to reflect and mimic real-world situations, and treating his students as colleagues to prepare us for our future careers.” “Paul Norris is an exceptional Instructor. His magnetic personality and genuine concern for each student makes him not only a wonderful teacher and friend, but an admirable role model. Paul’s hands-on teaching methods complement SAIT’s philosophies, and his sense of humour and encouragement made it a pleasure to attend class every day.” “Paul Norris has an amazing ability to get through to everyone and even makes the most dull topic compelling. His patience, enthusiasm, and young-at-heart personality help create a trusting, invaluable bond between instructor and student. Pau is one of those teachers you wish you could have all through school.” “Paul Norris is an incredible, humble and knowledgeable individual who teaches from the heart. He is very understanding and very open to everyone’s ideas and opinions, no matter their architectural experience.” “Paul Norris is the kind of instructor who doesn’t only give you homework; he gives you inspiration, motivation and opens your eyes to new discoveries.” Meet... 
Tracey Loston began teaching at SAIT in May 2010 (full-time since September 2010) and her course Building Green with LEED: Core Concepts and Strategies (ARCH 125) is leading-edge. It provides a comprehensive overview of techniques, approaches, materials and technologies used in creating greener buildings and communities. This course is suitable for anyone interested in developing a basic understanding of students wanting to pursue LEED Green Associate certification will find this course provides an excellent foundation. Life before SAIT: Favourite moments in class: I thoroughly enjoyed class discussions on various topics related to sustainability and the design/construction industry. Although students had various levels of industry experience, everyone was able to contribute; we are all affected by environmental issues. A consistent goal stated by students at the first class was to achieve LEED Associate status. I am very happy to report two weeks after the class finished, a student named Martha was the first to achieve that goal! Architecture courses: It is really exciting to see students turning a passion for architecture into a real-world skill set. I enjoy integrating sustainable concepts into classes where I can, as I have seen firsthand the growth in interest in “building green” within industry. By continuing part-time consulting and volunteering with both the CaGBC and ILBI I am able to keep current. It’s an exciting time to be working in the building industry; I am having fun teaching the next generation of technologists – this really is a dream job for me. Spare time: I enjoy spending spare time with my family (husband Mike and daughter Charley) just relaxing, camping and discovering exciting Alberta destinations. On my own time I continue my passions for painting and creative writing I have had since I was a child. I also feel most at peace surrounded by nature so I enjoy the many natural amenities within the city and surrounding areas, in particular the mountains. Best thing about teaching at SAIT: SAIT is focused on delivering programs that are current, industry-driven and provide real value to students. By teaming up with the Canada Green Building Council to deliver this first approved course for higher education, I was able to access the most up-to-date information. I enjoyed being able to integrate that knowledge base with real-world examples drawn from my own experience in the industry. The positive atmosphere and camaraderie in the architectural department really fosters a team-based approach to learning. The varied and combined experience of our instructors means our students are receiving a very well-rounded education based on real-life industry experience. Students weigh in: “She has emailed us during the week with new information, interesting web links, etc.” “She had organized a field trip for us to visit a sustainable project. This is not part of her mandate. She is doing it because she wants us to see it.” Meet... 
I have taught in the Bachelor of Applied Technology Geographic Information Systems (BGIS) program since 2002. I teach introduction to GIS, databases, cartographic design, and alternative GIS software programs. Life before SAIT: I have an undergraduate degree in geography and for six years I worked as a consultant, first with a partner and then operating my own business. In 1998, I took the GIS program at SAIT which was a fast-track program at the time and not the applied degree that it is today. After graduation I worked as a GIS consultant for three years before joining SAIT. Favourite moments in class: These are the times when you witness the understanding that takes place in students – when the concepts make sense to the students and they can successfully complete the exercise, assignment or other challenge. That’s when you feel your mission is accomplished and your efforts have paid off. It’s a very rewarding feeling. Spare time: I enjoy painting with acrylics, and have taken some courses in that. I play competitive chess at the Calgary Chess Club when I get the chance. Travel is also a passion. I have most recently visited Ireland and France and will be making my way to Turkey this summer. Best thing about teaching at SAIT: Having a job I love. It is a privilege to be an instructor and to be able to help my students. I also feel very grateful to have received recognition from my students. I was nominated two years by students for the Instructor Excellence Award. A student weighs in: "If I ever become an instructor, I want to be just like you. You’re my role model." Meet... 
I teach primarily gasfitting and have been doing this for four years. I am a graduate of the apprenticeship program at SAIT. Life before SAIT: I worked for the military doing maintenance and training military personnel in the plumbing trade. I also worked for companies around Calgary in residential and commercial plumbing and gasfitting. Favourite moments in class: When a student or an entire class finally understands a concept I have been teaching. Spare time: Watching hockey of any level, and snorkelling and scuba diving when I’m in Cuba. I enjoy time spent with my wife and children. Best thing about teaching at SAIT: Passing on my life-learned aspects of the trade to the apprentices.
|
