Instructor Biography
Continuing & Distance Education Winter/Spring 2012 Meet... 
I teach Computer Programming and Instrumentation Software as well as distance education courses for the Instrumentation Technology program. Industry Expertise: I have worked in the reservoir management and oil and gas industries for eight years in various roles such as software and database design, programming, maintaining and managing automated control systems. I have also worked for a real-time IT company writing, upgrading, maintaining and supporting protocols for various petroleum companies both in North America and internationally. Those opportunities enabled me to acquire an expertise status with protocols and gas management applications world-wide. The customer support experience I have has enabled me to excel within the industry where I earned the respect of my customers; one example of which included working for six months in Colombia to train and assist a customer with specific expertise on their petroleum control system. Education and Credentials: I have a Computer Technologies diploma from SAIT specializing in Information Systems. Favourite moments in class: I love the “ah-ha” moments when students put the big picture together at the end of the term. Spare Time: I love to play piano and am studying for my ARCT in performance with the Royal Conservatory of Music Canada. On the weekends I am known as “DX Zone” - you might just find me on the roller derby track putting members of the opposing team in their place. I also enjoy spending time with my husband and two boys. What I like best about job/industry: What I love about teaching is the same thing I loved about working in industry - I love helping people! Students weigh in: “Dawn manages to keep just about every subject fun and upbeat while still keeping students focused on the subject matter. By far the most fun class in my program.” “Dawn is a competent and caring instructor whose presentation of course material exceeds my expectations. One of her best attributes is putting students’ needs first when it comes to helping them in and out of the classroom.” “She is the kind of woman who takes responsibility for her students and shows the greatest interest in their continued success. As an instructor she is compassionate, kind, and good at communicating on a level that her students can relate to.” “Dawn Kuechle has been one of the most available and supportive teachers in this highly challenging program. She builds challenging assignments which enable us to learn by both retention and synthesis of the concepts she teaches.” 
Meet... 
During my six years at SAIT, I have taught NET Continuing Education and the Fast Track programs for Object Oriented Design, Business Intelligence, Database Administration, and Technology Management. Industry Expertise: I have 20 years of experience with building IT systems for airlines, banks, retail firms, and transportation firms. Education and Credentials: I have a PhD in Computer Science. I am also a Microsoft Certified Trainer. Favourite moments in class: Many of my students have gone on to become senior experts within two years of joining major consulting firms. This is due to SAIT’s focus on applied learning and the use of relevant industry examples in the classroom. Spare Time: I like hiking, horseback riding, golfing, and flying helicopters and airplanes. What I like best about job/industry: I work in a very challenging and rewarding field that has the ability to make a difference in helping businesses run efficiently.
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I teach in the Education Photography program. I developed and teach courses in scenic and wildlife photography, nature Close-Up, landscape and sports photography. Industry Expertise: I ran my own photography business specializing in sports and nature for eight years. My work has been published in numerous publications including magazines, calendars and books. Education and Credentials: After graduating from SAIT in 1987, I became an instructor here in 1981. I am a Red Seal Journeyman and have a Bachelor of Education. I taught high school for 24 years. Favourite moments in class: I like it when students "see the light" that lets them capture better images and then come back for more classes in different areas of the photographic arts. The challenge of Photography is both technical and artistic, and both are a passion of mine. Taking students on field trips during my courses gives them a real-life experience in photography. This helps build confidence and release their photographic vision. Spare Time: I like photography, hiking, skiing, camping, travelling Canada, and nature watching (I love anything wild: flowers, birds, mammals, geology and the list goes on) What I like best about job/industry: Teaching is my passion, and my industry allows me to be outside taking pictures.
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Jan Hay teaches Business Imaging Technology, and Enterprise Content Management Industry Expertise: Jan Hay founded (EIT) Ltd in 1988. The company grew from a start-up enterprise to having dozens of accounts with a variety of data management services customized to clients in multiple sectors. Jan’s track record includes developing and delivering cost-effective, revenue-positive solutions for some of the most recognizable clients in Canada and the U.S. Focusing on excellence, innovation and engagement, Jan has delivered customizable packages that include Knowledge and Information Management, Document & Enterprise Content Management, Master Data Management,IS/IT Business Process Solutions, Project Management, Business Analysis and Business Intelligence services. Education and Credentials: Jan has been asked to speak at numerous business and industry conventions and association conferences. Throughout her career, Jan has personally written, co-authored, and published numerous articles and course materials, as well as instructed courses in Business Imaging Technology, Enterprise Content Management, Master Data Management Information Resource Management Tools and Techniques, Records Information Management and Geo-Science Data Architecture Favourite moments in class: I like hearing back from students who have leveraged the knowledge they have taken away from my courses into job opportunities they never dreamed of. Spare Time: Jan likes wildlife photography, landscape design, and hiking What I like best about job/industry: For Jan, the best think about her industry is opening up a new world of opportunity for students. Students weighs in… “I am so grateful to have had Jan as an instructor. She was an outstanding and supportive mentor.” “Jan is a great teacher and an awesome person. She inspired us all and gave us the push we needed to see all the doors we can open.”
Meet... 
Mary teaches Storytelling and Library Projects classes in the Library Information Technology program. Industry Expertise: Mary has worked as a professional storyteller for 16 years. Her storytelling adventures have taken her to Montreal, Halifax, London, England and Brazil. She has experience in classroom teaching, planning and implementing library programs and in the facilitation of workshops for schools, museums, churches, libraries, and parent and community groups. She conducts workshops for all ages on a variety of topics and teaches in the Library Information Technology at SAIT Polytechnic. Education and Credentials: University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta – 1977 Bachelor of Education Mount Royal College Conservatory of Drama and Speech Arts, Calgary, Alberta – 1997, top achievement award Royal Conservatory of Music, Drama and Speech Arts - Toronto – 1997, Silver Medalist Readers Theatre Institute - London, England offered by University of Southern Maine – 2000 Favourite moments in class: One of my favourite moments was watching a recording of a student’s grandmother tell stories in her native language, Cree. Another was when I presented a storytelling workshop, for a former storytelling student who manages a school library. She said that she uses her Library Information Technology training every single day and that Storytelling has helped her in all of her oral communications. Spare Time: I like to tell stories. This year I have told Celtic stories on stage, stories of the Blackfoot people in a tepee, ghost stories in a cemetery and kids’ stories in a library! What I like best about job/industry: I like the opportunity to watch students gain their confidence and blossom as they tell tales.
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I have been instructing and developing courses for the SAIT School of Business for the past eight years, and I have loved every minute of it. Industry Expertise: I have been engaged in many industry sectors throughout my career. I have a varied and eclectic field of knowledge thanks to my experiences in entrepreneur and business development, adult education, community economic development, not-for-profit management, oil and gas exploration, and high-tech electronic manufacturing. Education and Credentials: My education includes a master of education in distance education, certificates in community economic development, adult education and group facilitation, and a SAIT diploma in engineering design and drafting. Spare Time: I love to read good books, garden, sew, crochet, listen to music and learn about people from around the world. What I like best about job/industry: I enjoy being an adult educator because I get to work with such a wide variety of exciting, curious, and driven, learners. I encounter students using education to make radical changes in their lives, like those who are learning, through distance education, from their homeland so they can have a better life and lead their country to a better place. Students weigh in… “I enjoy the way Judy teaches and her course was pivotal to my life. I learned there are few limitations and that we can paint our own canvas. In my opinion, the course was more practical than an MBA.” “Judy was honestly the best instructor that I have ever had in all my post-secondary education. She really cares.”
Meet... 
I currently instruct Cake Decorating Courses as part of SAIT’s Continuing Education Program. Industry Expertise: I’ve worked in the industry as a professional cake decorator and have been involved in the cake decorating community for the last five years. I am also an original graduate of the Baking and Pastry Arts diploma program here at SAIT, so it’s great to be back! Education and Credentials: I graduated from SAIT’s Baking and Pastry Arts diploma program in 2007. Some career highlights include: best use of theme in the 2010 Southern Alberta Ronald McDonald House 25th Anniversary Cake Competition and first place in the 2009 Calgary Stampede Western Lifestyles Creative Arts and Crafts Competition: novelty cakes. Favorite moments in class: I am humbled by the gratitude and appreciation that my students show. It’s amazing to see what they can take with the information they are given and how they grow and can build so much from it. It’s exciting to see them have so much fun while doing it too! Spare Time: When I’m not writing blog articles about cakes, checking out the cake community, or looking at photographs of cakes, I spend my spare time cooking, baking, or just making things. I love all things that are related to food, art, creativity, and resourcefulness. What I like best about job/industry: Hands down, I like the people the best. I am grateful to have met the most amazing people through cake decorating - whether they be clients, fellow decorators, colleagues, or students. The cake decorating community is full of generosity, and thankfulness. And I think that’s what cake is really about. Student weighs in… “I absolutely LOVED this course! Our instructor was amazing, and made the class very enjoyable!! I have learned so much in such a short period of time it was great! Absolutely wonderful.” “Overall perfect! A great start to my "caking" ways.”
Meet... 
I am Coordinator of the Photography program, and an instructor for basic photography courses, and black and white darkroom courses. Life before/at SAIT: I have more than 30 years of professional photography experience, and most recently published the book, In This Place: Calgary 2004 – 2011. I Received the 2010 National Magazine Gold Award for Photojournalism. I have a bachelor of arts (Political Science), and a bachelor of journalism (Honours). Favourite moments in class: Soon after completing a darkroom class, one of my students, Alixes Leeb, presented her first solo exhibition. The exhibition sold out. Spare time: I like to hike in my spare time. Best thing about teaching at SAIT: I like the opportunity to work with creative colleagues and talented, motivated learners.
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