In 2019, Sandra Kwon took a leap that would change her life. Seventeen years after she completed her last formal degree, she decided it was time to aim higher and enrolled in Queen’s University’s Professional Master of Education (PME) program. For Sandra, this wasn’t just about advancing her career—it was about fulfilling a long-held promise to herself: “One day, I’ll do my master’s.”
The PME was the perfect fit for her goals and her busy life. Delivered online, it connected her to professionals from diverse fields, all equally passionate about learning and leadership. The experience was more than she had hoped for. “It was extremely engaging—even virtually!” she recalls. It opened her eyes to new perspectives, strengthened her confidence, and inspired her to think bigger about the impact she could make.
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Sandra’s love of learning had always been a part of her. While she didn’t consider education as a career until her third year of undergrad, she’d always been drawn to helping others learn. tutoring throughout her high school and undergrad years led her to pursue and complete a Bachelor of Education and from there, her path as an educator took off.
She began teaching high school students in 2002, starting in a private school before transitioning to the public school system. Those early years were challenging but deeply rewarding. “It’s a job that requires a lot of work outside of school hours,” she says. “But the vitality and energy of the students make it so meaningful.”
Her curiosity and drive to do more led her to unique roles, including a science museum presenter, an advisor in an academic support centre, a faculty role at George Brown College, and most recently as an educator in a hospital setting where she developed and leads an educator program for healthcare professionals. It was a completely new environment, but she thrived, learning how education could transform even the most unexpected spaces. “It opened my eyes to how people with no formal teaching background were expected to be educators, and the opportunity I had to support these individuals with my knowledge and experience from my work and the PME." she says.
Completion of the PME in 2020 led Sandra to her current role in the hospital, where she could leverage the transferrable skills and valuable experience of working in different education settings.
The program wasn’t just a personal achievement—it became a source of inspiration for those around her. Her enthusiasm for the experience encouraged her supervisor to pursue the same program. She now offers advice to others considering it: “There’s no perfect time to fit this into your life. Just jump in. The satisfaction of finishing your degree is worth it.”
She’s proud of how far she’s come. Her journey is a testament to courage, resilience, and the power of education to open doors—not just for students, but for educators themselves.
The PME also paved the way for new opportunities to make an impact. In 2020, she joined Queen’s University Council, where she contributes to decisions shaping the post-secondary landscape. The role has been a way to stay connected to Queen’s and give back to the community that fueled her growth.
“Hang in there,” she says to anyone starting their career. “It’s worth it. Education isn’t just a profession—it’s a calling. And it’s one of the most meaningful paths you can take.”