This month, we sat down with Emily Winckler, one of our writing coaches, to learn more about her role at Options.
Tell me a bit about your background.
I have been living in the Vancouver area my whole life! I lived on Bowen Island as a child, then moved to West Van. I did both my BA and Teacher Education at UBC, and I am now happily settled in East Van. I have been teaching English for over ten years, the last six of which were spent teaching at a public high school!
What makes you most excited about working at Options?
As a classroom teacher, you don’t always get to see the whole picture of your students’ lives. At Options, I have the opportunity to assist students in presenting their whole selves – who they are both in and out of school!
Who is your role model?
I mean this in the least cliché way possible, but my role model is my mum. Her work ethic, strength, and adaptability are unmatched, and I always turn to her for advice. I think, “WWJD?” except for me, the ‘J’ is for ‘Joanna.’
What do you spend too much time doing?
Watching YouTube… I am a victim of my own curiosity! The phrase ‘internet rabbit hole’ definitely fits. Most recently, I’ve become obsessed with Tudor history. I think I’ve watched every video possible on the topic at this point!
If you could teach a university course, what would it be?
If I could tach a course, it would be on Holocaust Literature. In the last year of my undergrad, I had the opportunity to work and research with the Jewish Historical Institue and the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Poland. Having access to the archives of these organizations was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I am incredibly grateful for. Next, I went to Sweden to continue researching the topic at Uppsala University. When back in Vancouver, I worked with the VHEC as a research and symposium assistant, educating high school students on genocide and the Holocaust. Exploring the past through literature is a beautiful approach that allows students to remember that in history, numbers are not just numbers, but real people.
What is your favourite movie?
My favourite movie is The Basketball Diaries. It details the story of a young man who is struggling with addiction and turns to poetry as a coping mechanism on his journey toward sobriety. Adapted from Jim Carroll’s memoir, this was one of the first movies I watched as a teen that really made an impact on me – it was then that I started writing poetry myself.
I also have a huge soft spot for The Lorax… no explanation needed!
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
I’m obsessed with interior design and decorating my apartment! In my free time, I love to go to thrift stores in search of art, knick-knacks, glassware, and so on… I see my home as a reflection of myself and my moods, so just like me, it’s always changing!
Ready to meet a writing coach? Contact us today to book in!
