Contact

Learning Assistance Specialists (LAS) provide one-to-one supports and services. 

Whether it's figuring out who to connect with for specific supports, simply talking to a great listener who can help you sort out a pressing problem, or dealing with the demands of being a student while maintaining a work/life balance, the LAS team is here to help you. 

We also offer free student success workshops - view our upcoming sessions.

Contact our team directly using the Learning Assistance Specialist (LAS) email: 

las@coastmountaincollege.ca

Services

Jonathan Stone
Learning Assistant Specialist

jjstone@coastmountaincollege.ca

Jonathan Stone is a life-long learner and passionate about how we learn effectively.

There is nothing else that inspires him like the opportunity to learn something new, and this has translated into a passion for learning sciences and helping students achieve their academic potential, from focusing during study sessions, avoiding cramming, dealing with procrastination, remembering information from a textbook, writing effectively, and more.

He understands how critical these skills are for students and how they are skills that are learned rather than skills we are born with.

He has worked with the college in a multitude of different roles and loves the educational landscape. Throughout his career at Coast Mountain College, he has been a faculty member of our University Credit, Business Administration, and Career and College Preparation programs, as well as serving in support roles focused on research, statistics, and information technology.

Additionally, he has worked in industrial education with Rio Tinto Alcan, facilitated a provincial research project from UBC focusing on the development of document literacy, and published teacher training material with Teachers Without Borders. He has a master’s degree in Education, as well as multiple post-graduate certificates, include Data Science from John Hopkin’s University and Systems Thinking from Cornell.

When not in the classroom, he can be found playing music, video games, or goofing off with his two children.

If you are interested in booking a session with Jon to talk about soft skills – studying, focusing, time management – or if you are interested in talking about more technical skills – writing, mathematics, computer skills/science, lab reports – you can book a meeting with him through this link or reach him at jjstone@coastmountaincollege.ca.

Jon is based in Terrace but can take either in-person appointment or online appointments.

Jeremy (Jay) Bissett
Learning Assistant Specialist

jbissett@coastmountaincollege.ca 

Jay came into the world of education by following his desires to support young adults struggling with mainstream education …. just like himself!

My relationship to learning first blossomed during my time as a student of Outdoor Recreation. I was allowed to explore experiential place-based learning and became excited to dive into innovative approaches to learning. After finding success in my own learning journey I was eager to find a way to support others as well.

After graduation, I found myself working with at-risk youth at an alternative wilderness based high school. This experience solidified my passion for supporting students to build healthier relationships with learning.

Jay has been with Coast Mountain College for the last year in a variety of teaching and student support roles. He is excited to continue learning from the people and the places around him.

Outside of work, Jay will be exploring the rivers, valleys, and mountains by skis, legs or bikes.

Contact Jay at jbissett@coastmountaincollege.ca 

Rich Derooy
Learning Assistant Specialist, Accessibility Services Coordinator & CCP Coordinator

rderooy@coastmountaincollege.ca

As a student, Rich loved his college and university experiences and they led to exciting job opportunities primarily in human services positions.  He’s worked for eight different schools and held more than a dozen different positions with Coast Mountain College. He’s enjoyed the variety and considers it a privilege to be part of a student’s journey to a better life. He has two teenagers who have moved on to post-secondary studies and he hardly misses them –“What can I say? I love seeing students set out on a new path with all the opportunities and stories it brings!”

As the Accessibility Services Coordinator at the Smithers campus, Rich helps students with disabilities access customized support toward a positive learning experience. In his other role as Learning Assistance Specialist, he helps any student seeking study skills support. Sometimes applicants write assessments with him to assist with course selection or write “challenge” assessments to challenge a traditional academic prerequisite for entry to a College program.
In his free time, Rich is often on an outdoor adventure -all seasons, all weather with family or friends. He has a passion for human-powered boats and enjoys gardening, reading, and volleyball.

Contact Rich at rderooy@coastmountaincollege.ca 

Rachael Pozzo
Learning Assistant Specialist 

rpozzo@coastmountaincollege.ca

Rachael has been working in adult education for over 20 years and is especially passionate about providing support to learners who are returning to their educational journey after taking time to raise a family or participate in the workforce.  She has worked at Coast Mountain College for 14 years and has held various positions in Learner Services and adult upgrading during that time.

Rachael completed most of her post-secondary education through distributed and on-line learning and is excited to see students from Northwest BC and further afield having the opportunity to access most CMTN programs in their home communities this year.  Having experienced the excitement - and sometimes difficulties! - of learning online, she looks forwards to helping students navigate a new learning environment.

When not working, Rachael can be found somewhere on the 80-acre hobby farm she shares with her husband and two young girls.  A large garden and animals from hedgehogs to horses, and everything in between, keep her busy and grounded.  She feels very fortunate to live and work on traditional and unceded Gitxsan territory.

In her role as Accessibility Coordinator, Rachael works with students with disabilities to develop individualized learning plans and accommodations to ensure that there are no barriers to their education.  As a Learning Assistance Specialist, she works with all students to provide study skills supports, planning and scheduling tools to help them stay on track, and a listening ear and connections to college and community supports if she is not the right person to help.

Please feel free to contact Rachael at any time at rpozzo@coastmountaincollege.ca

Trudy Dolan
Learning Assistant Specialist

250-624-6054 Ext.57454
tdolan@coastmountaincollege.ca

Trudy has spent 21 years working at Coast Mountain College (CMTN).  She spent her first 16 years teaching math in the Career and College prep program (CCP).  For the past five years she continues to be a math instructor and has added the role of Learning Assistant Specialist (LAS) to her work portfolio. 

She enjoys being part of the process of helping students navigate school, work, and family, and watching her students grow as adult learners.  One of her favorite times of the year is when her students participate in the graduation program to get their Adult Dogwood Diploma.  She is super enthusiastic and supportive towards all students that reach out to her and will find the tools needed to help you be successful. She wants you to know that you are not alone and that you just have to reach out and ask for help. 

In her spare time, Trudy also enjoys golfing with her husband and watching her three boys grow up.  Please feel free to contact her for anything you need or questions you may have.