“I knew it would be an amazing experience for both of us”
In 2023, Cassady and Darren Spencer (Forest Technology ’25, both) decided to answer the call of the wild. It sounded different for each, given where they were in life, but it led them to one place: as father and child studying the same program at NAIT at the same time.
Darren, now 49, was curious about a career change after teaching middle school for 20 years. Cassady, now 21, had taken a year to work and pick up science classes after being intrigued by a summer job as a junior forest ranger with Alberta’s Ministry of Forestry and Parks. Once Cassady was accepted into NAIT, Darren broached the issue.
“We discussed the strange possibility of me going to post-secondary school with Cass,” he says. But Cassady didn’t think it was strange at all. The opposite, in fact.
“I was thrilled because I knew it would be an amazing experience for both of us,” says Cassady. “I will forever be grateful that my father was brave enough to even consider doing this adventure with me.”
We caught up with them, now out in the wild – Darren with Alberta Parks as an interpreter in the David Thomson Corridor; Cassady with West Fraser Timber, supporting forest management – to learn more about their mutual milestone.
“As parents, we influence our children,” says Darren. “In this instance, I am proud to say I was influenced by my child.”
What was it like to be at school together?
Darren: Cass and I were often in different cohorts, which was good. It allowed us to be ourselves and make our own way. [But] Cass was always there to encourage me when I would fret about my performance, and helped me with [Geographic Information System] problems.
Cassady: The different cohorts meant we never had any projects that we did together, but I think that was beneficial, as we could strategize and discuss homework and assignments without having to come to a unanimous decision on the outcome. We didn't [often] compare grades … but sometimes it was fun for one of us to do better on a small quiz and get to boast to the other.
You went to field camp, the outdoor portion of the program, for several weeks. What was it like to be there together?
Darren: It was a great experience. Cass and I helped each other with our plant identification – Cass reassured me that I would be able to learn the Latin word for saskatoon.
Cassady. It was an amazing time and the added layer of having Dad there was even better. My favourite thing was watching him become the favourite out of the group. Everyone had so much respect and adoration for him, and [field camp] was when that really started. I would get a lot of people telling me things like, “Your dad has so many interesting stories.”
Did anything surprise you about seeing each other as a student?
Cassady: Seeing my dad become a student after he’d been an educator for so long was interesting.
I was always impressed by him in class because he was confident enough in his knowledge to be comfortable asking questions.
Darren: Cassady was much better at taking things in stride than I was.
Cass kept everything in perspective, always doing their best, but maintaining calm composure during even the most challenging times. I admire that greatly.
Do you think that going to NAIT together changed you at all?
Cassady: It definitely has changed us both. We are more confident and curious than we were before.
Darren: The last two years have given us unique experiences and memories that we share. It has helped me see my child as a capable and talented adult.
Did your experience at NAIT have any impact on your relationship?
Darren: I feel that this has been a chance for me to get to know my child for the person they have grown to become. It is a rare privilege to work alongside your child as an equal.
Cassady: We are definitely much closer. We’ve always been similar but going to school together really showed me how much we have in common. I think [it] has made us more of a team.
Overall, how do you feel about having accomplished this together?
Darren: I am lucky to know exactly how challenging the program was that my child was successful in completing. As a father, I have great pride in Cassady’s accomplishment.
Cassady: Going to school together was definitely one of the best decisions I've made. I got the opportunity to work alongside someone I could trust and [whom I] respect.
What do you hope for in your careers?
Cassady: I am open to the many different directions my career could take. For now, I’m going to go slow and steady, enjoy what I’m doing, and see where that takes me.
Darren: I welcome any opportunities. I would be very pleased if I could foster a role in industry or government where I utilize my teaching experience with my forestry training.
Fostering relationships between industry, communities and other stakeholders is particularly interesting to me.
Would you ever consider going back to school together?
Darren: I will give Cass some time to consider it, but a PhD might be fun.
Cassady: If I go back to school, I will definitely want Dad to go with me.