Meet The Team: Ms. Gottfried

What made you want to be part of the GNS community?

There are many reasons that made GNS appealing to work at! I value that it really focuses on community, the size of the school, and I was interested in learning about the IB Curriculum. It also helped that I already knew Ms. Colibaba and Ms. MacMillan, so I knew that I would be joining a great team!

How did you choose teaching as the right path for you? What made you become a University Guidance teacher?

I never had a plan of becoming a Guidance Advisor. I made a point to be open to different opportunities and this somehow came to me. During my first degree (Biology), I applied for a co-op work term working with UVic as a student recruiter. That led to a job in Recruitment and Admissions, and I then began my Master’s in Higher Education Administration and Leadership, thinking that I would stay working in the post-secondary field. At almost the same time as when I began my Master’s, an opportunity came up to move to “the other side of the desk” (as we call it), and work as a Guidance Counsellor at a boarding school. I wanted to move into a career field where I could work closer with the students and over a sustained time, so I made the jump. I feel really lucky that I landed here. Every day is different. I get to know students over a couple of years, and I get to play a role in helping students dream big and explore what their next step in life will look like. 

What are some of your interests outside of school?

I love running—it is my time to disconnect, process and problem-solve. I grew up dancing and I just joined a dance class again this year for the first time in a very long while! Aside from that, I mostly spend time with my kids; seeing them ride bikes, climb trees, and watching just how free a child’s imagination is.  

What is something most people don’t know about you?

I’ve gone skydiving, cage shark diving with great whites, paragliding and similar activities, but I still have a fear of dogs (I’m working through it!)

What do you like about living and working in Victoria?

I love being in Victoria. My family immigrated here from Scotland when I was young and I have planted deep roots here. I love how easy it is to get to the water from any part of the city, the ease of getting outside all year long, and the friendships that I have with people here. 

Thank you Ms. Gottfried for taking time out of your schedule to answer these questions, and for providing guidance to students who will be making decisions that will have a significant impact on their career and future.