Becky is an instructor for the Tourism and Recreation Management Programs and the Business Management Program at College of the Rockies (COTR). She started instructing at the College in 2017 after over a decade of direct experience working in Indigenous and rural community, business and ecotourism development. Becky is an active faculty member, having volunteered for numerous College, Union and Planning Committees including the EDIIB Taskforce and CORFA Stewardship Team. She enjoys being part of teams planning College-enriching events such as World Tourism Day and Black History Month.
Becky was raised in Alberta, Treaty 6 Territory, where she participated and coached competitive sports and completed a Bachelors degree in Physical Education and Recreation, specializing in tourism and sport leadership from the University of Alberta. During her undergraduate, she represented the U of A at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland for 1 year in a specialized Sport Tourism program.
In 2009, Becky completed a Masters degree in Responsible Tourism Management through Leeds Metropolitan University in the UK. During her Master’s Degree, she worked for a “fair trade” ecotourism company out of Mozambique and completed numerous research projects and reports for the International Centre for Responsible Tourism, primarily focusing on leveraging local procurement opportunities and reducing poverty through tourism initiatives.
Becky and her husband both operate a forest farm and sauna company out of Ta Ta Creek, BC. She is currently Chair of the Board for ʔaq̓am Community Enterprises, a for-profit business entity owned by the ʔaq̓am Community as well as Board Chair for the Living Yoga Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to traditional Yoga Ecology practices.
Becky’s goal as an instructor is to engage students in experiential learning that draws upon students’ lived experiences. She cares about personal and professional growth, embracing reflective practice and critical thinking. Becky is a real proponent of Universal Design principles, encouraging learning from a diversity of worldviews and building opportunities for reconciliation into course curriculum. She also believes learning should be fun and accessible for all – and is always looking for new and relevant ways to ensure her students develop a passion for learning and love coming to class!
Becky believes that College life is an opportunity to create cohesive community wherein students feel their voice enrich the educational experience for all students and faculty alike, and feel comfortable making mistakes. She looks to get to know students on a personal level so to understand their motivations and “what light’s them up!” She strives to learn every student’s name and encourages them through active networking opportunities to expose themselves to a world full of possibility. She believes in positive encouragement and believes in supporting them towards their full potential.