Lauren Morris Leads PTP’s Bits and Bites Team

Lauren Morris is a front-line Literacy and Basic Skills instructor who has worked at PTP since its earliest days. For the past six years, Lauren has also directed the student team that runs our snack shop, Bits and Bites. In that role, she deals with many of the same issues that employers in the service industry face with their staff: interpersonal conflict, confronting unpleasant customers, and mentoring learners who have difficulty with money and number sense.

Lauren has learned to apply – and model – good management practices for her team. She delegates key tasks, asks for the team’s help in brainstorming solutions for current challenges, and encourages team members to show initiative in improving product control and service delivery. In addition, she provides opportunities for strong team members to show leadership, for example, by training others on a point-of-sale iPad system or managing a kitchen team. Lauren notes, “These strategies teach my team the importance of addressing issues head on and taking responsibility immediately. When my students own the problems, they own the solutions, too. I know my team will function well even when I can’t be present.” Working at Bits and Bites gives students what may be their first positive experience working with others in a team-based environment.

Lauren credits PTP’s “incredible people” – management, peer instructors, employment counsellors and support staff – and the organization’s flexible work environment with her job satisfaction and success in mentoring others. She adds that PTP staff constantly share ideas and ways to enrich the lives of students and clients and add new dimensions to their own work. “I have never worked in a more supportive team environment.”

Simone Morrison Embraces Collaboration

Simone Morrison joined PTP 10 years ago as a part-time workshop facilitator for the Employment Essentials program. At first, her role involved creating and delivering life skills workshops supporting participants in identifying career and educational goals, and developing the skills and pathways necessary to reach those goals. Over time, Simone took on the additional role of Academic Upgrading Manager, where she had the opportunity to collaborate with stakeholders and partner agencies such as WoodGreen and Seneca College. She is now Program Manager at PTP’s East Centre, working closely with staff to create and deliver programming that is meaningful to learners and instructors.

Simone believes that PTP’s organizational goals, set out in PTP Strategic Vision 2020, provide the foundation for a nimble, supportive work environment, by emphasizing team development and clearly setting out organizational roles and responsibilities. Simone says, “PTP’s value-based culture of collaboration has strengthened my learning and professional development and that of other staff. Cross-team relationships are stronger, job satisfaction is higher, and staff are more engaged because they have the freedom to create and develop programming that speaks to their strengths and skill sets.” The confidence and responsibility PTP bestows on staff are key factors in the organization’s ability to be responsive and successful.