Suzanne Schiller has enjoyed over 20 years of experience teaching writing & communication skills at the college level. Engaging with students as a writing tutor has been one of the most meaningful experiences of her career.
Her personal reading mainly focuses on natural healing, spirituality, and the politics of food & farming, but some of her favourite books are the ones she read with her kids as they were growing up:
Tony Trudel grew up in British Columbia and has built a career around helping students succeed through supportive, inclusive learning environments. Before joining North Island College, he taught English overseas, including several years in Okinawa, Japan. His time there strengthened his interest in language learning, cross-cultural education, and the use of technology to enhance learning experiences.
At NIC, Tony has spent over a decade teaching English and math to a wide variety of students. He now coordinates Writing, Math, and Peer Tutoring Supports within the Library & Learning Commons and enjoys collaborating with tutors, faculty, and students across campuses. He also serves as a lead researcher on Virtual Reality Technology Innovation in Indigenous Communities, a partnership with the Huu-ay-aht First Nation exploring how immersive technologies can support education and cultural revitalization. Outside of NIC, Tony runs a small emergent-technology-focused business and contributes to several professional networks, including serving as the Vancouver Island representative on the Board of Directors for the Adult Basic Education Association of BC.
When he’s not working with students or exploring new uses for virtual reality, Tony can usually be found adventuring with his two energetic boys or wrangling his giraffe-legged dog, Butler, who is convinced he’s a lapdog despite all evidence to the contrary.