Michael Ross - Instructor Bio
For over a decade Michael has led youth into the backcountry, on the waterways and oceans of BC, across the country and into tropical jungles. His teaching philosophy includes connecting people in a community, pushing beyond comfort and future proofing students in the transition to a post carbon economy.
As a Kelowna native, he was raised in Joe Rich Valley and then started his journey at 16 when he flew east to be educated at Trinity College School. Following a year teaching Outdoor Education in Australia, Michael studied Economics, Asian Studies and Sustainable Development at UBC in Vancouver.
His first career was in executive education at the GLOBE foundation which convened corporate and government thought leaders to solve environmental problems with business solutions.
After another teaching experience in Beijing China, Michael's call to the profession was answered with a Bachelor of Education at UBC's Okanagan Campus. In 2005 he taught at Collingwood School where he was the Roundsquare Coordinator and led service learning trips to France, Scotland and Dominican Republic.
In 2006 he landed at Okanagan Mission Secondary and embedded himself in the community coaching rugby, swimming and teaching a host of middle school subjects. At OKM he lead the Lake O'hara backcountry experience for over 1000 students over 10 years. With awesome colleagues he started the SALTS tall ship training expedition and has sailed the Pacific with 350 students. Under his watch, the Outdoor Education program bustled as students experienced paddle boarding in Clayoquot Sound, hiking in Okanagan Mountain Park, canoeing in Murtle Lakes, camping in Cape Scott, ziplining in Costa Rica, winter camping at Hydraulic Lake to name a few.
Michael is also a Central Okanagan Public Schools District Coordinator of the Innovation Generation Challenge where he coaches other teachers through the process of creating student ventures that solve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In the past 10 years, student enterprises have added over $2 million in GDP to the Central Okanagan and many students have won major entrance scholarships as a result of their entrepreneurial efforts.
In 2018 Michael co-founded Quest BC to realize his lifelong dream of creating a community around a campfire and exploring the province of BC as a tight learning tribe. QBC is iterating in its third edition with the help of teacher candidates from the UBC's Okanagan School of Education.
As an Instructor at UBC's Summer Institute Michael passes along hard fought wisdom from the challenges and successes of teaching in innovative ways to other teaching professionals.
In 2012, Michael was awarded a Champion of the Environment Civic Award for his work on Sustainability Education and was also recognized as a Prime Minister's Teaching Excellence winner in 2019.
Michael's current focus is on climate change and reconciliation curriculum that transition our culture to a more just, fair and sustainable future.
Mr. Ross is passionate about helping youth and building strong communities. If you would like to learn more about the proposed The Bridge Youth Recovery House Project please click the photo below.
For over a decade Michael has led youth into the backcountry, on the waterways and oceans of BC, across the country and into tropical jungles. His teaching philosophy includes connecting people in a community, pushing beyond comfort and future proofing students in the transition to a post carbon economy.
As a Kelowna native, he was raised in Joe Rich Valley and then started his journey at 16 when he flew east to be educated at Trinity College School. Following a year teaching Outdoor Education in Australia, Michael studied Economics, Asian Studies and Sustainable Development at UBC in Vancouver.
His first career was in executive education at the GLOBE foundation which convened corporate and government thought leaders to solve environmental problems with business solutions.
After another teaching experience in Beijing China, Michael's call to the profession was answered with a Bachelor of Education at UBC's Okanagan Campus. In 2005 he taught at Collingwood School where he was the Roundsquare Coordinator and led service learning trips to France, Scotland and Dominican Republic.
In 2006 he landed at Okanagan Mission Secondary and embedded himself in the community coaching rugby, swimming and teaching a host of middle school subjects. At OKM he lead the Lake O'hara backcountry experience for over 1000 students over 10 years. With awesome colleagues he started the SALTS tall ship training expedition and has sailed the Pacific with 350 students. Under his watch, the Outdoor Education program bustled as students experienced paddle boarding in Clayoquot Sound, hiking in Okanagan Mountain Park, canoeing in Murtle Lakes, camping in Cape Scott, ziplining in Costa Rica, winter camping at Hydraulic Lake to name a few.
Michael is also a Central Okanagan Public Schools District Coordinator of the Innovation Generation Challenge where he coaches other teachers through the process of creating student ventures that solve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In the past 10 years, student enterprises have added over $2 million in GDP to the Central Okanagan and many students have won major entrance scholarships as a result of their entrepreneurial efforts.
In 2018 Michael co-founded Quest BC to realize his lifelong dream of creating a community around a campfire and exploring the province of BC as a tight learning tribe. QBC is iterating in its third edition with the help of teacher candidates from the UBC's Okanagan School of Education.
As an Instructor at UBC's Summer Institute Michael passes along hard fought wisdom from the challenges and successes of teaching in innovative ways to other teaching professionals.
In 2012, Michael was awarded a Champion of the Environment Civic Award for his work on Sustainability Education and was also recognized as a Prime Minister's Teaching Excellence winner in 2019.
Michael's current focus is on climate change and reconciliation curriculum that transition our culture to a more just, fair and sustainable future.
Mr. Ross is passionate about helping youth and building strong communities. If you would like to learn more about the proposed The Bridge Youth Recovery House Project please click the photo below.