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Meet Kerry Gilbert, Creative Writing Professor

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Creative Writing Professor Kerry Gilbert stands in a field of flowers

'My favourite teaching experience comes when a student has their own ‘zing’ moments about their academic future and/or their future as a writer'

When did you know you had found your discipline? 

When I took my first Creative Writing class with John Lent, at what was then Okanagan University College, I knew that I had found my ‘zing.’

Why did you choose to work at Ƶ?

I told John Lent, when I was a first year student, that I wanted to come back to take his job when he retired.

What do you like the most about the work you do?

I love to see student excitement and growth.

Favourite teaching experience?

My favourite teaching experience comes when a student has their own ‘zing’ moments about their academic future and/or their future as a writer.

Who gave you the best advice you ever received? 

It wasn’t so much advice as a statement: John Lent said to me “you’ve really got something here” with my writing and it made me think differently about my writing and about my future as a writer. It also makes me aware of how comments to students can have tremendous impact.

Where are you the happiest?

When I am writing and/or in the world of writing.

What matters most to you right now? 

Finding and maintaining balance between my three beautiful lives: work, parenting and writing.

If you ran the world?

I would do more and talk less.

Published By College Relations on October 19, 2020


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