Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)

A typical day of work consists of me being there from early morning, until late evening. I come early morning to make sure that everything that is required to teach the lesson is ready. In addition to teaching, marking, and writing exams, I spend a decent amount of time researching. I specialize in analyzing student performance and implementing techniques that allow them to overcome their academic challenges. Being a mathematician consists not only of doing research or studying on mathematics but also teaching students. Mathematics is about understanding concepts, being able to work with them, or know its applications in the real world, but also about developing logical and critical thinking skills. I believe that teaching is an art where the teacher has to be passionate about the topic or subject being taught. The students have to always be involved in the topic at hand in order to keep their interest in the subject at peak. From my experience it is very important to possess management skills and keep the students involved during class and more importantly they have to know why they are being taught the current topic and its relationship to real world applications.

When teaching mathematics or any other subject it is essential to keep an open, friendly and approachable relationship with students where a teacher can guide the students in the right direction. A teacher would succeed only when his/her students succeed, and to witness that happen is the most enjoyable part of teaching. This experience has taught me not only basic teaching and general presentation skills but also the value of teaching mathematics to many different leveled students, which is usually the hardest part of teaching. Being able to reach all the needs of the students as they each have varying academic needs.

While delivering lectures, I aim to focus the student’s attention to the logical relation that connects all the topics, even though they may seem unconnected at the first glance. This allows the student to picture the entire course with significant topics that fall in the right place. I believe before giving the official definition or theory of a concept one should explain the logic behind that idea, if possible from different perspectives. This allows students to build up better instinct of how this concept is used. I dedicate most of a class period to solving examples, since an individual learns math by doing it. One of my most successful techniques is to identify a student’s mathematical weakness point before the start of the course and then be able to diagnose this weakness. This is done through a general exam that I give to the student’s to write up the first day. The general exam helps me identify a student’s fundamental strength and weakness in mathematics. While creating tests I include both easy questions to develop the student’s self-confidence and questions that are challenging in order to keep them attentive and help them acknowledge the importance of individual preparation. Student’s evaluations show that individual work and patience is my major strength as an instructor and is appreciated by my students.

Communication with other teachers is also a vital aspect in reaching the student’s needs. Being able to talk to other teachers, share ideas and thoughts results in great exchange of methods and techniques to improve teaching. All these different aspects of teaching come together to help succeed students in their academic career.

SAIT doesn't hire permanent faculty any more and this creates stress for students and remaining faculty.  Contract instructors (adjunct) are underpaid, unrepresented and inexperienced.  SAIT management has laid off hundreds of support and faculty personnel since 2018. Management are protecting their own and any budget shortfalls mean layoffs and converting permanent positions to contract positions.  Some schools no longer have any office spaces available for faculty!  There is no loyalty, no possible advancement and definitely no new permanent positions.  It used to be a great place to work.  I would only recommend contract teaching as a stepping stone to another career with another organization.  Stay away otherwise.

I have been a long term employee. Over the years especially with funding cuts to higher education, salary and pay has been severely effected. If you are not a union member, many have been on wage freeze for 6 years or more, all while increasing workload exponentially. Depending on your sub department, work can be very busy at times, but it usually cycles based on semester starts etc. Hard to move and increase salary to more senior roles. Easy to get stuck in a lower level wage class, while you do the work of seniors, but again with no compensation. 

I am a results oriented, hands on professional with 20 years of Telecommunication Linemen experience. I was attracted to the trade and gained global experience through my experience with the Canadian Forces (CF). My academic profile includes a Hospitality degree from the University of Calgary. Throughout my service and employment both within the CF and Hospitality field I have been able to enhance operation effectiveness by implementing creative strategies, which have led to increase productivity, enhance quality, and reduce cost. I am a strategic thinker who possesses the leadership skills necessary to guide any company's operations into achieving its mission.

I was hired through Job Agency as contract employee. They posted same accounting clerk position in which i was working as contract employee. I applied and gave two interview then i was not selected position. They told me I don’t have enough experience and education for permanent job. But they can hire me with same thing as contract employee. They use me for their need and now i am jobless. Worst experience and worst management. I worked hard lot in contract position to dream make it permanent. But the end was disaster gave me 15 day notice and told me they will not continue contract. It’s hard to find job in this market. In name of union they are doing unfair with their employee. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
The hours are decent and you work from home 2 days per week.  Depending on which job and which union or management you will belong to, the benefits and time off ( vacation, personal days, etc.) are decent.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The deadlines based on the academic calendar are stressful.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Very inclusive for all types of personalities.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Fast paced and ever challenging and rewarding.

SAIT is an excellent workplace. Management is confident and trusts staff to work independently. 

You will work with industry professionals and might meet "key players" in Calgary's business scene.

I work on contract but there's lots of work available. 

Bad work culture. Lots of cliques. Lots of politics and bureaucracy. Managers are always busy but things aren’t organized well. Poor communication and no set expectations. 1 year probationary period and contract doesn't make job feel very secure for new instructors. 

Staff were great to work with but very unsatisfying work because of chaos with structure, role definition and goal setting. Great deal of stress due to top down poor management structure and Dean’s of n ability to provide clear direction. 

I enjoyed being in front of a class. I think I am a pretty good teacher. I didn't tell them what I knew, I actually tried to convey substance and meaning.

The class size was appropriate for the subject matter. I would lace my teaching with humor.

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