Hello Everyone!
My name is Natalie and I am born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. This is my 9th/10th course in the MET program (currently taking two courses at once). The end is in sight!
I have worked in higher education for the past 12 years, in the online learning space to be specific. I sort of fell into education. I had full intention of becoming a lawyer. Out of undergrad, I decided to get an entry level position to pay off student debt at an education company…and that was over 12 years ago, I never left! I work in course development as an Instructional Designer and have for the last 8 years or so. I now lead a team of Instructional Designers and actually quite miss getting my hands dirty in the work. I really love what I do and I’m taking this program because I love to learn and apply what I’ve learned.
Some other fun things about me: I flip homes on the side (interior design and decorating is another passion of mine) and I enjoy traveling. I try to visit one new country a year. The current pandemic squashed my plans of going to Singapore and India this year. I’m hopeful that I start again next year.
Excited to work with you all!
Natalie
Hi Natalie,
I too can relate to “falling into education”, once you’ve worked as an educator you pretty quickly find out whether it’s for you or not! I’ve decided to try two courses in my first term, the other being ETEC500, but it’s difficult to know at the onset just how challenging it will be, here’s hoping I don’t have too many of those 3am nights!
~Matt
I’m hoping the same! 🙂
Hi Natalie, Congrats on being done this term! I was tempted to take two this term, but backed out last week. That is an awesome idea about trying to visit one new country a year. What is the most interesting country you have visited?
Hi Mike,
Yes, I have tried in the past to take two courses at a time and also had to back out. It’s a lot of work! I did it for the first time last term and feel like I can do it again because I’m rarely leaving my home…but it was not easy, There were a few nights where I was up until 3am!
The most interesting country? Probably Egypt or Italy for history and food. The only place I’ve been to twice is Barcelona, Spain so I often say that’s my fav country. The most beautiful would have to be the Phi Phi Islands, Thailand.
Natalie
I haven’t been to Egypt, but I think the history would be amazing. I do like Italy, especially Florence. I have also been to Barcelona twice and it is definitely one of my top places too, the market there is amazing, excellent smoothies.
Hi Natalie, good to “see” you again! Sorry to hear about the cancelled travel plans, I feel very lucky not to have any planned trips that I needed to cancel this year. What makes you decide what countries to visit?
Hey Carla! I like to travel on the cheap, so I follow a bunch of discount sites/bloggers and they post mistake fares and deals. As soon as I see a hot deal, I jump. For example, this trip I had planned was from Toronto to New York to Singapore to India and then back for $700 total (that’s just for the all the flights). In short, I go where the deals take me.
Welcome, Natalie. Flipping homes sounds like a nice creative side hustle alongside managing your team. I just moved from doing teaching and freelance graphic design into a department head role at the college I’m at and I also miss getting my hands dirty.
Awesome! Look forward to working with you!
Sames! 9th and 10th courses here too!
Also, complete obsession with interior design. Recently got Netflix and binge watched Interior Design Masters and Amazing Interiors (would recommend both). I own the URL for my dream interior design company I plan to run one day, but first, I need to choose a country to live in and get my own home together.
Running a team of Instructional Designers sounds amazing. Do you work at a single school/company or are you an ID firm that helps clients with all different educational needs? I only recently got out the classroom, and am happy to be on the ID side again rather than in the room but I suspect that may shift in the next few years.
Lovely to “meet” you. Excited to learn more with and from you during the course.
J
Hi Jamie,
Sorry for the delay in response, still trying to figure this all out. I had to approve your comment first.
I love that you have your URL already! That’s awesome. I dabbled a bit and have designed spaces for friends and family but I’m not sure if I could do it full time. I like doing things my way and designing loses its excitement/fun if you don’t like what you’re designing and have to do what the customer wants (haha!)
I will totally watch those shows. I got rid of cable a long time ago and have missed HGTV! I recently got Netflix to keep myself somewhat busy during these crazy times. I will definitely watch them. Thanks!
I work for Pearson and have 2 partnerships assigned to me. Both happen to be in the United States, so I end up traveling there often.
Look forward to working with you!