What was your first job and what did you learn from it?

When I was in high school I worked at Tim Horton's, a local coffee shop. I had so much fun and I loved the customers. At the time I didn't think that I was learning too much (except how they got the filling in the jelly donuts) but looking back I realise that two very important lessons came out of that job. The first was the incredible power each of us has to have a positive impact on a person, even in the briefest of encounters. Even taking a coffee order can be done with respect and integrity and most people respond by giving the same energy in return. The second was the importance of being able to laugh at myself. I got into my fair share of predicaments and the ability to laugh, learn and then move on was invaluable to the work environment and a skill that I rely on to this day.

Who is your hero, mentor or person you most admire? Why?

I owe my life to the people that I love: my parents, my family and my friends. I am very fortunate to have a wealth of people to admire and to look to for insight and support.

My mother and father provided a loving and protective environment. They have encouraged me to make decisions based on happiness and integrity and have always trusted and believed in my ability to accomplish anything. My mother has taught me to stand up for myself and to fight for my beliefs. She has also taught me the power of a positive attitude and generosity in overcoming any adversity. Through example, my father has taught me to define success not by position but in the gaining respect of your family and your colleagues.

My friends make me want to be a better person.

Dr. Monique Frize has been a strong mentor for my work for many years. She is a well-respected advocate and works tirelessly for equality for women in education and in life. The thing I admire the most about Monique is that she is constantly evolving in her fight for change. She regards every encounter as an opportunity to learn. She listens to people and she challenges her assumptions on a daily basis.

What is your favorite book?

I love to read and I have a bookshelf of favourite books. I am very interested in reading books about alternative models of education and the holistic development of children.

Two of my favourite books in education are In School, by Ken Dryden and The Absorbent Mind, by Maria Montessori. Ken Dryden relayed the tragedies and triumphs of the public school system through the eyes of the youth giving the world a better appreciation for the critical need to catch the many kids that are falling through the cracks. Maria Montessori provides a fascinating description of the power of young minds and emphasises the importance of a high level of respect for the intellect of children.

Some of my favourite authors are Neil Postman, Bell Hooks, Noam Chomsky and Roddy Doyle.

What advances in your field do you envision over the next 10 years?

My passion is in creating positive learning experiences. I believe very strongly that reform and advancement in the education field will occur only with a commitment of government and society to create policy and change based on the best interest of children as natural learners.

My current work is in the field of science and technology education. Education in these fields is viewed as the answer to many problems from unemployment, to poverty, to isolated communities to the breakdown of public education. I do believe in the importance of science and technology education but not to produce children who are more marketable, more employable, more technically dependent and more globally competitive. A high quality science education opens doors and fosters the development of self-discovery, critical thinking, questioning, observation, entrepreneurial skills and care for the planet. A healthy balance between these two extremes must be achieved in the delivery of technical curriculum in schools.

The benefits of having strong skills in science and technology are quite obvious but we need more people looking at the less-obvious implication of technology in the classroom.

What do you see as the single most interesting element of your work?

I am fortunate that I work for an organization that is not only outstandingly productive but that nurtures learning and growth. I am also lucky that my work combines my passion for education with my love of science and my interest in business.

I have had the opportunity to experience the struggles that are present in the education system from many different perspectives all over Canada. From the perspective of caring parents, amazing teachers who lack resources, men and women advocating for young girls, Inuit populations in remote communities, children who have a poor socio-economic status and educators and policy makers who are dedicated to the importance of science education. The people that I have worked with have taught me that the impact of science education goes far beyond the walls of the classroom. I have also gained a deep appreciation for the diversity of the people in Canada and the strength that results from difference.

What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?

I have had many celebratory moments in my work and each has been a gift. One of the first projects that I developed was an informal science program for children with learning challenges. These children were not thriving in their learning environments and most were not able to attend school. They were so different than any other children that I had taught and I realised on the first morning that I was not at all prepared for the way that they would challenge me. These kids loved science and responded brilliantly to technology. They were very intuitive and were able to communicate their appreciation for a program like this. It made me realise that many children are not given the opportunity to achieve their potential and that they need people to fight for them. The success of this program was one of my proudest moments and continues to shape my work.

What advice would you give to young women who want to enter your field?

In the past two years, I have talked to many groups of young women across the country and I have learned about the issues and pressures that they are faced with in schools today. When I talk to them about my career I tell them about how I came to choose my path, some of the challenges that I faced and how I overcame them.

I talk about the importance of friendship and family and being grateful for the positive aspects of their lives because this support network can be key to a successful career. I talk to them about the importance of making noise, finding out who they are and fighting for what they believe in.

I encourage them to think about what matters to them and to choose a career based on these things. It is also important to keep a wide perspective by taking advantage of any opportunities to work with different people and to experience different environments.

I tell them that self-respect, confidence and commitment are the key to a successful career regardless of the field and I encourage them to pursue activities that make them feel healthy and happy.

For young women interested in pursuing a career in the sciences or in technology I encourage them to talk with other men and women working in these fields. Asking people what they like the most about their jobs often provides a wealth of insight and experience. I have learned that intuition can be a powerful and leading tool in business and I would encourage them to believe in themselves. I would also encourage them to always think about the impact of their actions in these fields and what types of contributions that they can make to their communities.

The most important message I share with young women is that they can be positive role models now for their peers, for younger girls and for their communities. They have the power to make a difference, today.