Kelly Bolstad: A Student and Instructor

Balancing full-time work while going to school can be a challenge for anyone, but what happens when your full-time job and college are one in the same? Kelly Bolstad found herself in this situation at Charter College’s Pasco campus. After working as a Medical Assistant for more than a decade, Kelly made the shift from practicing medicine to teaching about it. A friend and former coworker, Dawn Helzer, who also teaches at Charter, recommended that she become an instructor. Today, Kelly has been with the Charter family for more than seven years and has worked her way up to become the lead Medical Assistant instructor and program supervisor at the Pasco campus.

Walking in Her Students’ Shoes

Kelly has a unique experience that she feels brings her even closer to her students – that’s because she was in their shoes. While teaching at Charter College, Kelly decided to go back to school and obtain her Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Administration. For 15 months, she juggled her full-time job as an instructor with her own responsibilities as a student.

“It was tough balancing work and school just like my students, but I feel like I can better empathize with the students now having been through a program myself,” Kelly explains.

Kelly says being a student herself also provided a unique perspective. When students come to her with outside stress that affects their course work, Kelly truly understands and feels she can be a better mentor because of her own experiences. Kelly also pulls from her time as a student to motivate her students to keep going, even when things get tough, letting them know they have the strength to overcome whatever obstacles might get in their way.

Bringing Real-World Experience to the Classroom

What probably helps her students even more than her empathy is the wealth of knowledge Kelly shares from the field.

“I’ve worked in so many fields from internal medicine, pediatrics, podiatry, to endocrinology,” Kelly explains. “The students love hearing about what it’s really like out there in the field, and I love sharing my stories with them.”

Kelly prepares her students with the technical skills they’ll need for the real world but she’s sure to sprinkle in important life skills.

“I always tell my students: ‘You’ve got to set yourself up for success. You need to stay organized and ask for help when you need it,’” she says.

Kelly also enjoys taking her students into the lab for hands-on practice and says that’s where she sees the “lightbulb” moment really happens for them. She loves to see her students’ confidence grow as they practice drawing blood or giving injections.

Staying Connected with Charter College Graduates

Another aspect of the job that Kelly loves happens off campus. She bumps into graduates all the time! Whether it’s in a clinic, at the store, or some random place, Kelly gets to hear how her former students are doing. She talks to them about their roles and where they’re headed in their careers. And sometimes she invites them back to campus.

“I’ve been out of the field for a while now, so having graduates come in and talk to my students is a great way for them to hear what’s new in the industry,” she explains. “Sometimes I even learn something new from them!”

A Team Effort at Charter

Kelly appreciates the family environment Charter College creates for her students and her own success. She believes that Charter is true to its mission of helping students get to work and wants to contribute to that goal as much as she can.

“Our tagline is ‘We work to get you to work,’ and I really believe that. It’s not just something we say—it’s what we do,” Kelly says.

Kelly shares the same passion as other Charter College instructors, and that’s to change the lives of their students for the better. Through her years of experience and selfless attitude, she hopes to continue growing the future generations of Medical Assistants coming out of Charter College.

Do you want to hear more about the wonderful instructors in the Medical Assistant program? Call 888-200-9942 or fill out the form to learn more!