Know Your Profs is an ongoing series of profiles on the instructors at Camosun College. Every issue we ask a different instructor at Camosun the same 10 questions in an attempt to get to know them a little better.
This time around, we talked to Camosun Electrical Trades Training chair Ian Warrender about being the bridge, ABBA, and why the humanities matter too.
1. What do you teach and how long have you been a teacher at Camosun?
I’m the chair of the Electrical Trades Training department; my work is divided between teaching and some departmental administrative work. I’m proud to be a part of a very dynamic team delivering Electrical Apprenticeship training for the first-, second-, third-, and fourth-year apprenticeship levels, as well as the Electrical Foundations programs. We also deliver some Continuing Education courses in homeowner wiring and Canadian electrical code standards. Add to that, we’ve recently taken on delivering trades awareness training to local high schools. We also deliver trades programming to two secondary schools in the lower mainland. I’ve been with Camosun since June 2003.
2. What do you personally get out of teaching?
It’s an honour to be a part of so many of our learners’ journeys. To be able to do something good for someone by providing the skills and knowledge they need to move through their life is truly a great experience.
3. What’s one thing you wish your students knew about you?
I would like our students to know that we are here to help, not hinder. There’s a river they need to cross; I’m their bridge.
4. What’s one thing you wish they didn’t know about you?
That I actually really like ABBA.
5. What’s the best thing that’s happened to you as a teacher here?
I have had many great experiences here at Camosun; the one that sticks out for me the most is that I was fortunate to be a part of an Education for Employment project partnership between Camosun College and postsecondary institutions in Tanzania and Mozambique. Creating and delivering curriculum based on the local and national needs with these very impoverished countries, then seeing their graduates acquire gainful employment, thus alleviating poverty in some small, but significant, way, was the most memorable experience I’ve ever had in my career.
6. What’s the worst thing that’s happened to you as a teacher here?
Nothing specific, it’s just hard to witness what many learners are going through in their own personal lives. There’s a lot of challenging situations our learners are going through; it’s a wonder that some of them make it to class some days.
7. What do you see in the future of postsecondary education?
In light of the tremendous challenges faced by community colleges, I remain steadfastly optimistic that the role of the community college will continue to be integral to a progressive, empathetic, and enlightened Canadian society. I do think how we define “community” will continue to change profoundly over the next few years as we open ourselves more and more to the global economy.
Camosun’s ability to deliver relevant curriculum and training for university transfer and job-ready practitioners enables us to fulfill a very strong niche. I’m confident that we have the ability to continue this role.
Recent socio-political shifts have hastened the need for more citizen engagement; in an ever-more corporatized and market-driven world, people need and want to be heard. Postsecondary education that meets only the immediate needs of production is not enough. I see the humanities continuing to play a vital role in enlightening people to the political, economic, and societal realities that influence our lives.
8. What do you do to relax on the weekends?
Happily married for 26 years, my wife Donna and I often go out to local spots like China Beach, East Sooke Park, and the Gulf Islands. It’s not uncommon for us to head up to Tofino to surf on weekends. Our grown children (22 and 24) still often spend time with us on outings. In addition, I play guitar, drums, and bit of piano. I also play a lot of hockey, year-round.
9. What’s your favourite meal?
Lamb vindaloo.
10. What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Day one of class: students showing up without a writing instrument.