Our instructors

Simon Bates

Simon Bates, PhD, is the UBC Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President, Teaching and Learning, and Chair Associate of Pacific Rim Universities: University of the Future working group “How GenAI will enable, challenge and disrupt Higher Education.”

Simon works closely with post-secondary students, faculty and staff to develop and implement innovative approaches to teaching and learning, and focus on enhancing student learning outcomes, as well as overseeing continuous learning and continuing education.

Simon has facilitated numerous discussions around GenAI and its impact on teaching and learning in HESA’s AI Observatory round table community meetings which focuses on AI Policies in Canadian Post-Secondary Education.

Indy Batth

Indy Batth (she/her) is a Certified Executive Coach (PCC) with an M.A. in Education and advanced training in neuroscience and team coaching. With over 25 years of experience as an educator and facilitator, Indy is dedicated to advancing inclusive leadership, building equitable teams, and fostering cultures of belonging. Her work emphasizes relational, mindful, compassionate and trauma informed approaches to facilitate both individual and systemic culture shifts. Indy teaches at SFU and UBC in leadership and equity programs and has her own coaching and consulting practice.  Indy is a racialized, immigrant settler residing in the Greater Vancouver Area, on the unceded and stolen lands of the Coast Salish First Nations People.

Milka Beck

Magali Blanc

Magali Blanc, PhD, is originally from Alès in southern France. She began her teaching career at the University of Victoria, and continued as a teaching assistant while pursuing her PhD at UBC. In 2016, she joined UBC Extended Learning as a French instructor, reconnecting with her first language and culture. Magali is passionate about sharing all that the French community has to offer: culture, food, music and art. Magali holds a PhD in French Literature from UBC, and a Maîtrise d’Anglais Enseignement from the Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier 3.

Deborah Blenkhorn

Deborah Blenkhorn, BA (Hons), BEd, MA, PhD (ABD), has taught for UBC's English department, Sauder School of Business, Faculty of Engineering, and at UBC Extended Learning for writing programs and the Experience University Life program. She has also been a writing instructor at SFU's Segal Graduate School of Business, and teaches undergraduate English at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Besides her academic articles and book reviews, and participating in community reading and writing groups, Deborah's projects include blogging and, most recently, e-portfolio development.

Michelle Boulton

Michelle Boulton

Michelle Boulton is the owner of 3c publications, where she leads a team of communication professionals who help organizations translate complex information into clear and compelling content.

Michelle began her career as a journalist, worked in marketing and print production, and eventually launched her own company. She has produced a range of content (from websites to academic journals) for a diverse group of clients (public and private sectors, non-profit, education, science, agriculture and industry).

With more than 30 years’ experience, Michelle is passionate about sharing what she has learned with others. She is an engaging facilitator who loves teaching and encourages learners to bring their own experience and expertise to the class.

She is a member of the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada, a past president of Editors Canada and the current head of Plain Canada Clair.

Arlene Brenner

Iva Cheung

Iva Cheung (She/Her/Hers), MSc, MPub, PhD, is a plain language trainer and researcher, and a Certified Professional Editor with Editors Canada. Iva runs a publishing consultancy that offers indexing, print design, and editing services. She has provided plain language training to health, academic, and legal professionals. As an accessibility advocate, she works with people who use health services to co-create communication tools they can understand.

You can learn more about Iva on her website.

Diana Cho

Diana Cho, BA, BSW, MPS, is an American Sign Language instructor, and has been a program administrator, facilitator, and career and admissions counsellor.

At the Rochester Institute of Technology, she served as a departmental and program administrator, and staff and student supervisor. She implemented, delivered and taught curriculum and service programs, and was a career and admissions counsellor. While at the Vera Institute of Justice, Diana worked to improve services for women with disabilities and Deaf women who have experienced violence. She has also served as meeting facilitator with several national non-profit organizations, and has volunteered for countless community activities.

Diana is Deaf, and delights in supporting and empowering Deaf and hearing people. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Bachelor’s degree in Logic and Buddhism, and Master’s in Professional Studies, concentrating in Deaf Education and School Psychology. Outside of teaching, she is completing life coach training.