CONSULTING
Higher Ed Higher Consulting is committed to helping others develop strategies and skills to be the most effective at teaching, wherever that teaching takes you. We specialize in professional development of educators working in a variety of cultural contexts, sometimes different from their own. Working with clients, we collaborate to uncover their needs and custom design learning opportunities for both clients and their employees. With over 15 years experience in educational development, including 8 years international educational experience, Higher Ed Hire consultants bring their expertise, passion and innovation to every project. We are problem solvers in the ever-evolving world of education and teacher development. We want our clients to feel confident and prepared to face professional challenges in the classroom, as well as cultural challenges outside the classroom. We want our clients to be confident, prepared and ready to thrive.
KATHLEEN BORTOLIN
FOUNDER AND PRINCIPAL
My career in educational development began over 20 years ago when I travelled to small fishing village on an island off the coast of Hiroshima, Japan to teach English. Although I spent most of my time teaching children, I also began working with teachers, exchanging ideas on teaching and learning, solving problems and seeking solutions. Ever since then, I have been immersed in education, teacher-training and curriculum development. Returning to Canada to pursue a graduate degree in Education, I began focusing on issues of empowerment and social justice in teaching, especially in regards to second language learners. All of this lead me to do a PhD in Education at the University of Victoria, focusing on community-engaged teaching and learning and curriculum development. I now work as an educational developer for Vancouver Island University, supporting faculty, programs and students grow and develop and reach their goals. I love seeing transformative change in educators and their students, and the moments when they understand the power of what they can do in and out of the classroom. This is the reason I became a consultant; I want to share what I have to support emerging educators get to where they want to be.