When people talk about “finding their path,” it often sounds like a straight line. For College of the Rockies (COTR) Education Assistant (EA) graduate Tristan Giroux, it’s been anything but, and his journey is part of what makes him a COTR graduate to watch.
Originally from Paris, Ontario, Tristan’s life took shape early in a way he couldn’t ignore. At just three years old, he was identified as profoundly deaf in his right ear when he referred to it to his mom as his “broken ear.” Today, he speaks about it very differently.
“Being hard of hearing has always been a part of who I am,” he says. “It’s something I’m proud of. It has shaped how I see the world.”
That perspective, rooted in lived experience, would ultimately guide him toward a career that’s not just meaningful, but deeply personal.
A Journey That Didn’t Follow the Script
Tristan’s path has been anything but traditional. He and his partner both trained in Musical Theatre Performance at St. Clair College in Windsor, spent years moving across Canada, from Ontario to Red Deer, to Vancouver, to Nelson, before settling in the Elk Valley.
The move to the small community of Elkford came when his partner accepted a teaching position. At the time, he was working remotely in sales, grateful for the job but quietly questioning what came next.
“I knew moving meant more than just a change of location,” he says. “It was a chance to rethink my career path.”
That rethink led to a leap.
Stepping Into the Unknown
Initially, Tristan applied to work as a casual Education Assistant, hoping to explore something new. But while reviewing postings, one opportunity stood out: a specialized EA role supporting Deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
“It wasn’t something I had planned,” he admits. “But everything kind of led me there.”
Even with his background and growing interest in American Sign Language (ASL), stepping into the role came with uncertainty.
“I had a lot of imposter syndrome,” he recalls. “I kept asking myself – do I know enough? Am I ready?”
What shifted his mindset was a simple but powerful realization: learning goes both ways.
“I didn’t need to have all the answers,” he says. “I just needed to show up, be willing to learn, and do my best.”
The Power of Connection
Working as a Specialized Education Assistant while completing his EA diploma at the College, Tristan’s found something unexpected: a true sense of purpose.
“At its core, this role is about connection,” he explains. “Every student deserves to have at least one adult in their corner – someone who celebrates their successes and supports them when things are hard.”
His own school experiences shape that commitment. Growing up hard of hearing, he often struggled to stay engaged in class and was sometimes misunderstood.
“I was seen as the class clown or troublemaker,” he says. “But really, I just needed support.”
Now, he brings empathy, patience, and understanding into every interaction.
“I want students to know they’re welcome exactly as they are,” he says. “Different needs don’t make you any less capable.”
A Moment That Changed Everything
While there have been many meaningful experiences, one stands above the rest.
Shortly after Thanksgiving, a student gave him something profoundly significant in Deaf culture: a sign name.
“They’re not something you ask for or choose yourself,” he explains. “They’re given to you.”
The sign – a “T” handshape moving toward the heart – caught him off guard.
“When the student told me, ‘that’s your name,’ I had to take a moment,” he says. “It was one of the sweetest gestures I’ve ever received.”
But it was more than a gesture.
“It showed me that a genuine connection had been built,” he says. “That moment reinforced everything—this work is about trust, advocacy, and helping students feel seen.”
Learning with Purpose
Returning to school through the College’s EA program transformed his relationship with learning.
“I wasn’t a strong student growing up,” he admits. “Learning felt like something I had to do, not something I wanted to do.”
That all changed in the Education Assistant program.
“The difference was seeing how what I was learning could directly help students,” he says. “It clicked in a way it never had before.”
Balancing full-time work with full-time studies wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.
“The program gave me strategies, confidence, and the ability to reflect on my own biases and assumptions,” he says. “And I could apply it all in real time in the classroom.”
He credits the program’s flexibility, hands-on practicum, and passionate instructors for helping shape him into the educator he is today.
“This isn’t just an educational opportunity,” he says. “It’s a necessity if you want to be the best advocate for students.”
Representation Matters
For Tristan, one of the most impactful aspects of his role is representation.
“Growing up, I didn’t see many adults who were hard of hearing or using sign language,” he says. “It can feel isolating.”
Now, he has the chance to change that for his students.
“When students see people with different experiences and abilities, it expands what they believe is possible,” he explains. “It helps them understand that who they are isn’t something to overcome, it’s something to build from.”
Advice for Future EAs
For anyone feeling unsure about their career path, his message is simple:
“That’s okay,” he says. “Sometimes you have to try something new before you discover what fits.”
And for those considering the EA program?
“I can’t recommend it enough.”
His advice is grounded in lived experience—not just in the classroom, but in the journey it took to get there.
“You don’t have to have everything figured out,” he says. “You just have to be willing to take a step.”