About Our Instructors
What have we been up to?
Gord Christmas
After spending nearly ten years working with an Internet Service provider on Salt Spring Island, Gord decided to join our team in Victoria. He has many years of hands on troubleshooting experience with computers and complex networking arrangements. Having worked as a private in-home computer consultant, Gord has also honed his ability to listen and explain our clients' needs simply and directly.
Programming for Gord started early with BASIC, Hypercard and Pascal in the mid-eighties. Since then worked with Delphi, Assembly, JavaScript, PHP, Visual Basic, and many other programs. Working with PHP and databases is his most recent focus, developing online web applications for niche markets. Reading technical and programming manuals doesn't put him to sleep, as it would any sane individual.
Gord enjoys extracurricular activities like trail riding on dirt bikes, motorcycle riding, hiking and woodworking. He also enjoys computer gaming and radio controlled model cars.
Sandra Slingsby
Sandra is on a mission to teach students the infinite possibilities that Photoshop offers. Photoshop has become an indispensible tool for designers, photographers and hobbyists everywhere.
In each class, Sandra takes you on a journey through the most practical and non-destructive techniques, and shares many of her favourite tips and tricks of Photoshop along the way.
She is an evangelist for Photoshop and founder of her business, Photo VP.
• Member of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals
• Graduate of Television Broadcasting and Communication
• Graduate of Web Design Certification at VSBT
• Diverse Background in Desktop Publishing
Chris Jeffery
After successfully completing the Web Design Certificate course at VSBT, Chris decided to go deeper into the field and took the Open Source Web Development and e-commerce course, completing the Web Developer Diploma. Chris then completed a 6 month internship, which landed him a job with northStudio. Chris enjoys working with Drupal as a CMS, and is happy to be able to implement what he has learned in the previous courses into real life everyday websites.
Chris is also very active away from the office. He enjoys BMX racing and is on the executive council for the Greater Victoria BMX association. His best finish so far is a 2nd at the Black Gold Nationals in Cumberland BC. He likes to bring in his trophies to work (if they can fit on the desk!)
Chris looks forward to imparting his knowledge of web development and working with the Victoria School of Business and Technology.
Rene Hachê
- Desktop Publishing
- InDesign
- Illustrator
- PhotoShop
- Quark Express
- Corel Draw
Simon Vreeswijk
- Search Engine Optimization
- Internet Marketing
- Dreamweaver
- Computer Basics
- XHTML / CSS
- Web Site Fundamentals
Shane Graham
Shane is a graduate of the Web Design Certification and Open Source Developer Certification. He also has certifications in the following areas: A+, Network+, iNet+, MCDST, MCP, ETA CST, ETA CNST.
Shane has worked for northStudio for a number of years as a Drupal Web Developer and System Administrator.
Leaoni Webb
Leaoni holds her Masters in Microsoft Office Suite applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook. She has over 10 years experience Training and/or Instructing and is currently completing the Provincial Instructor Diploma Program (Adult Education).
Leaoni’s entrepreneurial and business background has taught her to effectively listen to and communicate with the client / student to meet their needs. Her patients and ability to express in laymen’s terms how an application program works and why, builds confidence and creates a relaxed, stress free, fun learning experience.
Ariel Orozco
Ariel Orozco grew up in Oliver, BC, located in the South Okanagan. He started developing websites in 1997 for the Osoyoos Business and Development Center. After high school he thought hardware and networking was the way to go. He went to Sprott-Shaw and did the Information Technology Technician program. Soon after Ariel realized pulling wire and setting up networks is as fun as bashing your head against the wall. In 2004 he when back to school and in 2006 he received an Internet Business Technology Diploma from Selkirk College in Castlegar, BC. In 2007 he stumbled across North Studio and completed the Web Developer Diploma.
Karen Smallwood
I came to Canada in 2008 looking for a new life and complete career change. I previously worked for the UK Government in a variety of roles, pretty much all over the UK. I spent a lot of my time working on various IT projects and as the years went on my interest moved towards web design/development. Moving to Victoria was the perfect opportunity to work a field that I love. I am a former VSBT graduate having completed both the Web Designer and Open Source Development Course and I am now working as a Web Developer with the northStudio.com team.
