Biography
Miranda Massie, is a Workplace Wellbeing Practices & Learning Consultant with UBC Human Resources. Her work involves supporting learning practices & curriculum design related to individual and workplace wellbeing.
Miranda has a background in psychology, as well as sexual health and adult education. She is currently a Mental Health Commission of Canada certified instructor in Mental Health First Aid and The Working Mind and supports mental health literacy training and education within UBC’s workplaces. Miranda’s work is grounded in health promotion and adult education principles and she believes in empowering employees to make informed decisions that can positively impact their individual wellbeing, as well as the health and culture of the organization.
Outside of work, Miranda spends her time working as a community sexual health educator and teaching Polynesian dance at a local family-run studio. A born and raised Vancouverite (we are rare!) she loves to spend time walking the streets of local neighbourhoods, being near any body of water, and eating and drinking her way through the city’s newest hotspots.
Meeting Miranda
What is your most memorable experience from your time in the Faculty of Education?
Participating in an Indigenous Research Methods course taught by Cash Ahenakew. It was an uncomfortable and trans-formative experience that led me to question and critique the most fundamental elements of the academy. It had a profound impact on my life and what I see as a lifelong journey of unlearing and decolonization. I am incredibly grateful to everyone that I met through this course and for their time and teachings.
Where has your education from the Faculty of Education taken you in your career?
My time in the faculty of Ed helped me to understand how my passion and skills can work together. Working full time while taking courses allowed me to hone in on what I was good at and what I loved the most, which in turn benefitted my professional work and my team. Ultimately I graduated with a more refined skill set that helped me to take on a new role – one specifically focused on mental health and workplace education – my dream!
Where do issues of inclusion find a place in your life or at work?
Coming from a background in sexual health education, inclusion and social justice have always played an important role in both my personal and professional life. As a cis, white woman, I have a responsibility to continuously educate myself in an effort to locate my blind spots. We see some of the worst examples of injustices and inequities played out in our health care systems and my goal is to bring these to the forefront of health education in an effort to support healthy and enabling systems of care.
Do you have any words of wisdom for current students? Newly graduated folks?
Education is everywhere and it might not look like what you imagined it to be. Be open to new opportunities and be humble in acknowledging those who played a role in supporting your journey.
