Posted: September 2025
The learner spotlights feature students from Open Learning & Career Development who bring a wealth of dedication and diverse perspectives to their studies, and our programs benefit greatly as they work to advance their careers.
Read on to learn about Terri's experience, the specific skills she gained, and how the program helped her launch Reverie Consulting.
Program fit and professional goals
What was your job or career before enrolling in the certificate?
Before enrolling in the Adult Education Certificate at Dalhousie, I was working in public sector innovation and organizational development with the Nova Scotia government. My role focused on helping teams tackle complex systemic challenges—things like improving service delivery, department culture or navigating policy barriers—using design thinking and human-centred methods. I was already designing and facilitating workshops, but I knew I had more to learn about the foundations of teaching and learning.
Did the program fit your existing career path?
Yes and no. It aligned with my core work—facilitation, capability-building, and system change—but it also challenged me to think beyond my comfort zone. The certificate helped me shift from just facilitating to intentionally designing learning experiences. It added a layer of rigor and depth to what I was already doing and helped me move from facilitator to a teacher, which changed the entire trajectory of my career.
What were you hoping to gain from enrolling? Did you gain something different?
I wanted a better foundation in how adults actually learn so I could make my sessions more impactful. But what I didn’t expect was how much I’d reflect on my own learning style, and how that shaped the way I teach (it helped me unlearn a few bad habits, too!).
How did you find the courses? Did the flexibility accommodate your work and personal commitments?
The flexibility was key. I was balancing full-time work, consulting projects, and being a parent—so asynchronous options and reasonable deadlines made the program doable. The content was well-paced and and never felt like busy work. I could apply what I was learning in real-time, which kept me engaged.
The certificate helped me shift from just facilitating to intentionally designing learning experiences. It added a layer of rigor and depth to what I was already doing and helped me move from facilitator to a teacher, which changed the entire trajectory of my career."
Insights from the classroom experience
What were the instructors like?
Thoughtful, grounded, and empathetic. They understood that many of us were mid-career professionals, not full-time students. They encouraged discussion and critical thinking rather than one-size-fits-all answers. That made a big difference for me—I never felt like I was being talked at.
What was the overall learning experience like?
A good balance of synchronous and asynchronous class time. It felt like a learning lab where I could test ideas, make mistakes, and get feedback that actually helped me improve. It also connected me with peers who were wrestling with the same challenges in different contexts, which I found energizing.
What specific skills or knowledge did you gain from the program? Did any courses stand out to you?
I gained a much deeper understanding of adult learning principles, especially Universal Design for Learning (UDL), which I now use in nearly every workshop I design. The course on instructional methods stood out—it helped me move beyond one-off sessions to designing meaningful learning arcs. I also appreciated the course on assessment; I learned a lot about non-traditional methods of assessment—something that’s often overlooked in non-traditional education spaces.
Every workshop, course, or training session I deliver now has learning design baked into it... It’s made my work more intentional and effective."
From public service to entrepreneurship
How has the certificate progressed, or changed your career?
Yes, it helped me make the leap from public service to launching my own business, Reverie Consulting. Now I help organizations and teams solve complex problems using design thinking—and a big part of that is teaching them how to think differently, not just what to think. The certificate gave me the credibility and confidence to position learning as a core offering in my consulting practice.
How have you applied these new skills or knowledge to your work?
Every workshop, course, or training session I deliver now has learning design baked into it. I’ve created self-paced programs, delivered multi-week training cohorts, and helped teams build internal capacity—all using the principles I learned in the certificate. It’s made my work more intentional and effective.
Advice for aspiring educators
Do you have any advice for those looking to advance or make a change in their career?
This certificate is ideal for people who know how to do something and now want to teach others to do it well. It bridges that gap between expertise and teaching—and it does so in a way that’s both rigorous and tactical. I’d recommend it to anyone who facilitates, trains, or teaches—even if that’s not in their job title.
Let’s take a moment to celebrate Terri’s incredible accomplishments and her commitment to growth. Her experience proved to be a pivotal experience, providing her with a robust foundation in adult learning principles and instructional design. It equipped her with the credibility and confidence to pivot from public service to entrepreneurship, launching Reverie Consulting. Now, every workshop, course, and training session she delivers is intentionally designed with effective learning principles at its core.
Are you ready to advance or change your career, especially if you have expertise and are eager to teach others? Terri’s advice is clear: this certificate bridges the gap between knowing how to do something and effectively teaching it. Embark on the next stage of your career journey, and explore our Certificate in Adult Education here.
