Accessible Education and Training Department

Adult Special Education graduate

Accessible Education and Training programs at Okanagan College provide the support students need to reach their full potential. Our programs are part of a life progression – integrated where possible – teaching independence and encouraging interest in a lifetime of learning and working within the community.  

Writing Your Life

Read poems by Accessible Education and Training students in the creative writing course, "Writing Your Life."

Meet our instructors

Scroll down this page to view our instructors, who all make space for students to discover themselves in this program.

Meet Anton

The support Anton Evans receives from the SAME program is allowing him to pursue a career in audio engineering.

Explore our programs

  • Legend:
  • Full program offered
  • Partial program offered
  • Credential
  • International students
Accessible Education Certificate
  • Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton, Salmon Arm
  • Certificate
Accessible Education Certificate - Fundamentals 1
  • Vernon, Penticton, Salmon Arm
  • Certificate
Building Employment Skills and Training
  • Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton, Salmon Arm
  • Certificate

Set up an intake interview

The first step in applying to any Accessible Education and Training program is to set up an intake interview with Okanagan College staff. Submit your information in the form below to get started.

Have questions? Contact the department closest to you

Kelowna

Kyla Ashman

Email: KAshman@okanagan.bc.ca

Phone: 250-762-5445, ext. 4237

Penticton

Melissa Teal

Email: mteal@okanagan.bc.ca

Phone: 250-762-5445, ext. 3278

Vernon

LaVonne Kober

Email:  lkober@okanagan.bc.ca

Phone: 250-545-7291, ext. 2229

Salmon Arm

Donna Curdyk

Email: dcurdyk@okanagan.bc.ca

Phone: 250-832-2126, ext. 8226

Instructors and staff

Kyla Ashman

Accessible Education and Training - Chair
Office: B Building 105
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4237
Adult Special Education instructor Kyla Ashman

Kyla started in OC’s AET program in 2020. She taught in the public school system since 1993 in a variety of roles specializing in students with diverse abilities.  She is very happy to now be teaching adult learners in a variety of subjects using her experiences and knowledge gained over the years. She believes in an interactive classroom with lots of discussion and use of individual creativity and thought. Her philosophy is to make everyone feel they belong and that they can contribute.

Credentials:
Bachelor of Education, Special Education

Joyce Carruthers

Individual Support Worker (Kelowna)
Office: B Building 107
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4336
Headshot of Joyce Carruthers

I have currently been working at Okanagan College for 6 years as an Individual Support Worker in the Adult Special Education Department.
For the past 30 years, I have had the pleasure of working in different capacities with individuals and their diversabilities. Some of those roles have been Community Support Worker; Residential Care Worker; Respite Care Provider.
I have completed the Intermediate Level of American Sign Language. I was involved in creating Deaf Okanagan Society (DOS) with a grant received from the City of Kelowna. DOS created opportunities for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Non-Verbal individuals to complete courses in Food Safe and 1st Aid to assist with obtaining employment.
 

Credentials:
American Sign Language Intermediate Certificate, Okanagan College
Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Certificate Training, Community Living BC Training
Certification in First Aid and Food Safe, Okanagan College

Scott Crocker

AET Liaison (Salmon Arm)
Office: Salmon Arm Building 103
Campus: Salmon Arm
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 8263

Sara Cubberley

AET Liaison (Kelowna)
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4781

Donna Curdyk

Accessible Education and Training Instructor
Office: Salmon Arm Building 103
Campus: Salmon Arm
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 8226

I have been an instructor with Okanagan College for the past 9 years with Continuing Studies and am so excited to begin with the AET program. Alongside with working at the Okanagan College, I have been supporting individuals with diversabilities for the past 11 years. I am passionate about helping individuals recognize their strengths and building self esteem.

I moved to the Shuswap with my husband and here we have been lucky to raise our three children and wide variety of pets. When I'm not working, I love to spend time with family and friends and be out on the water in my happy place as often as I can.

LaVonne Kober

Accessible Education and Training Instructor
Office: Main Building C301
Campus: Vernon
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 2248
LaVone-Kober 1

I have been working with students with learning and cognitive differences for 25 years.  With a MA in Interdisciplinary Studies, I have enjoyed teaching students life skills within the context of sociological, historical and indigenous perspectives.  It makes teaching fun and opens the door to interesting and enthusiastic discussions.  Away from the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my family, my grandkids, our family dog, Sadie, and relaxing on the shores of Kalamalka Lake in the summer.

Karen Lutz

Individual Support Worker (Kelowna)
Office: B Building 107
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4619
Headshot of Karen Lutz

I am an Individual Support Worker at Okanagan College. I have worked with students in Adult Special Education for 20+ years. I support students in regular ASE classes as well as students in the SAME Program.

Credentials:
Human Service Worker, Okanagan College

Michael Montagnon

Accessible Education and Training Instructor
Office: B Building 109
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 6206
Montagnon, Michael headshot

I began teaching at the Okanagan College Kelowna campus in 2021 and I have several years of experience filling various educational and family support roles within the Okanagan diversabilities community. My priority is making learning fun and accessible, with an emphasis on FUN!

Credentials:
MEd: Special Education, Vancouver Island University
BA: Psychology, University of Victoria

Melissa Teal

Accessible Education and Training Instructor
Office: Sunoka Building A06B
Campus: Penticton
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 3278
Teal, Melissa photo

I am excited to join Okanagan College in the AET program! I have over 10 years of experience teaching in K-9 and post-secondary education. Most recently, I spent 3 years working at NorQuest College in Edmonton, AB working with adult learners and loved it! I moved to the Okanagan in 2020 and enjoy exploring the area with my husband, two daughters and our dog, Lucy.

Credentials:
MEd, Educational Research, University of Calgary
BEd, Secondary Education, University of Alberta

Janice Villeneuve

AET Liaison (Vernon)
Campus:
Villeneuve_J

Tricia White

AET Liaison & Individual Support Worker (Penticton)
Campus: Penticton
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 3263
Tricia White