When Tammy Coulter enrolled at GPRC in 1990 she planned to become a teacher, but she achieved that goal in an unexpected way.
 
For her first two years in the secondary education program, Coulter went to GPRC. She recalls fondly the time she and her friends, including her late husband, used to spend in the cafeteria, Howlers, and the library. Sometimes their instructors would even join them, helping them with assignments or just getting to know them.
 
Coulters recalls the instructors always “kept encouraging their students to do the best they could do and do whatever they wanted to do” with regards to following their dreams.
 
Coulter now encourages GPRC students  to “embrace the life and culture, and stay after class to get to know people.” She also advises students to “study hard and take the opportunity to use the facilities.”
 
“I’ve always felt like GPRC is home,” said Coulter. The small class sizes and friendly atmosphere created a uniquely supportive and comfortable environment.
 
Coulter’s favourite memories at GPRC are of the classes, especially the ones that challenged her. They taught her how to write, how to think critically, and how to consider different perspectives.
 
“My time here at GPRC is my foundation as an author,” said Coulter.
 
While she was staying with and taking care of her ill grandmother, Coulter struggled with her university practicum losing her desire to teach. However, her experience did start her on another career path.
 
During her practicum, Coulter was teaching a creative writing unit on mystery stories and sat down and wrote her own story: To Heir is Human. After that, “the bug bit” and she started writing regularly.
 
Since then, Coulter has worked to perfect the Rick Attison series. With many rewrites and character changes, Coulter admits the books have changed much from the original short story.
 
Coulter tries to teach through her writing by aiding people in distinguishing the signs of gang involvement or psychological trauma—a common theme within her stories. If even one person learns from the lessons in her books she feels it has been a success.
 
Much of the setting and some of the characters are inspired by Coulter’s her real life experiences. Places like the Composite High School, Keddie’s Tack & Western Wear, and GPRC all form the basis for their fictional equivalents.
 
People Coulter knew from GPRC also often make their way into her stories. Dr. Duff Crerar, a previous history instructor of Coulter’s, inspired the character of Mrs. Salsbury in the series. Dr. Crerar’s insistence that history not be a boring regurgitation of names and dates, but a discussion was instilled into Coulter’s books.
 
Dr. Crerar was the first person other than Coulter’s late-husband to read her books. He gave Coulter some of her best critiquing and ideas leaving her grateful to have had him as a teacher and now as a friend.
 
Coulter dedicates her love of writing and the creation of her books to her late-husband.
 
“What I have learned since losing my husband is to be brave enough to take a hold of your dreams and run with them… It’s inside all of us just waiting to come out. If you take that challenge and live your dream it doesn’t matter what you came to GPRC for, GPRC will have made you a success.”
 
You can find more information about Coulter’s novels at: www.tammyjcoulter.wixsite.com/rickattisonnovels
 

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