ADVERTISEMENT From Student to Instructor: Montgomery Finds a Career That Meets Her Needs Siau Yean Montgomery So she decided to try some- thing different and began her search for a new career. But Stepping onto the snowy tarmac of Bemidji Regional Airport on a brisk January day, Siau Yean Montgomery "13 began her journey as a college student in the United States. Hailing all the way from Malaysia, Montgomery recalls her surprise by the near sub-zero weather and towering pines that Bemidji had to offer. my time at the college," Mont- gomery said. "In fact, she even told me about an opening at she didn't need to look very far. Great River Dentistry in Bem- idji, where I started working after earning my degree." "I often saw NTC when I dropped off my son at his bus stop," she said. "Seeing it so often made me want to look Montgomery is still working as a dental assistant at Great into what type of programs they offer and that's how I came across dental assisting." River Dentistry, but when she was asked to mentor future dental assistants at NTC she began exploring another field. of interest - teaching. She is For Montgomery, NTC's "I remember standing close dental assisting program pre- to my friend in the cold." Montgomery said. "I think it was not only the shock of the weather, but it was also the beginning of something new for me." pared her for the stability and now an instructor in NTC's flexibility she always wanted in a career. In addition to a flexible program, she found a sense of community with her classmates and instructors. dental assisting program. "It's surreal to know that I am the one preparing them. for their future career," she said. "It's showed me how Montgomery started her college career studying psychology at a university in her home country but later enrolled at Bemidji State University. Throughout her time at Bemidji State, Mont- gomery split most of her time working various jobs in the community, finishing her degree and taking care of her internship at Northern Dental family. After graduating in 2007, Montgomery found it difficult to find a job suited to internship at Cass Lake Indian Ssaid. "It's rewarding to know her needs. "I felt encouraged socially and academically and that motivated me to complete my associate's degree," she said. "Those connections really helped me begin my career and ingly involved with teaching I'm forever grateful for that." far I've come and it's a really rewarding feeling." As a faculty member, Mont- gomery has become increas- and finds a sense of pride in what she does. "The greatest satisfaction I've felt is being able to see my students understand the content I am teaching." she After graduating in 2013, Montgomery began her Access Center in Bemidji and went on to complete another Health Services. As she began building the foundation of her career, Montgomery was that what I am teaching is going to prepare them for what's outside the classroom." "Psychology is a highly demanding field, and some are capable of adjusting to it," grateful for the connections she said. "But in my circum- stances, I wanted to be able to NTC gave Montgomery the necessary tools she would need for her future. Now she hopes to provide the same for she made at NTc. "Terri Bannor, my dental assisting instructor, was a provide for them financially." great source of support during her students. care for my family and also ADVERTISEMENT From Student to Instructor: Montgomery Finds a Career That Meets Her Needs Siau Yean Montgomery So she decided to try some- thing different and began her search for a new career. But Stepping onto the snowy tarmac of Bemidji Regional Airport on a brisk January day, Siau Yean Montgomery "13 began her journey as a college student in the United States. Hailing all the way from Malaysia, Montgomery recalls her surprise by the near sub-zero weather and towering pines that Bemidji had to offer. my time at the college," Mont- gomery said. "In fact, she even told me about an opening at she didn't need to look very far. Great River Dentistry in Bem- idji, where I started working after earning my degree." "I often saw NTC when I dropped off my son at his bus stop," she said. "Seeing it so often made me want to look Montgomery is still working as a dental assistant at Great into what type of programs they offer and that's how I came across dental assisting." River Dentistry, but when she was asked to mentor future dental assistants at NTC she began exploring another field. of interest - teaching. She is For Montgomery, NTC's "I remember standing close dental assisting program pre- to my friend in the cold." Montgomery said. "I think it was not only the shock of the weather, but it was also the beginning of something new for me." pared her for the stability and now an instructor in NTC's flexibility she always wanted in a career. In addition to a flexible program, she found a sense of community with her classmates and instructors. dental assisting program. "It's surreal to know that I am the one preparing them. for their future career," she said. "It's showed me how Montgomery started her college career studying psychology at a university in her home country but later enrolled at Bemidji State University. Throughout her time at Bemidji State, Mont- gomery split most of her time working various jobs in the community, finishing her degree and taking care of her internship at Northern Dental family. After graduating in 2007, Montgomery found it difficult to find a job suited to internship at Cass Lake Indian Ssaid. "It's rewarding to know her needs. "I felt encouraged socially and academically and that motivated me to complete my associate's degree," she said. "Those connections really helped me begin my career and ingly involved with teaching I'm forever grateful for that." far I've come and it's a really rewarding feeling." As a faculty member, Mont- gomery has become increas- and finds a sense of pride in what she does. "The greatest satisfaction I've felt is being able to see my students understand the content I am teaching." she After graduating in 2013, Montgomery began her Access Center in Bemidji and went on to complete another Health Services. As she began building the foundation of her career, Montgomery was that what I am teaching is going to prepare them for what's outside the classroom." "Psychology is a highly demanding field, and some are capable of adjusting to it," grateful for the connections she said. "But in my circum- stances, I wanted to be able to NTC gave Montgomery the necessary tools she would need for her future. Now she hopes to provide the same for she made at NTc. "Terri Bannor, my dental assisting instructor, was a provide for them financially." great source of support during her students. care for my family and also