MILES CITY, MONTANA: For Belinda Forman, returning to Miles Community College as a nursing instructor is more than a career opportunity. It is a chance to give back to the college and the people who helped her achieve a lifelong dream.
Growing up in Billings, Montana, Belinda faced challenges that shaped her outlook on life and her determination to succeed. Having spent part of her childhood in foster care, she experienced instability and loss at a young age. Despite those obstacles, she never lost sight of her goal of becoming a nurse. In 2021, after starting a family of her own, she achieved that dream, becoming both a registered nurse and a first-generation college graduate.
Her experience as a student in the MCC Nursing Program left a lasting impression, particularly the encouragement and mentorship she received from faculty members who believed in her potential. When the opportunity arose to return to MCC as an educator, she embraced it wholeheartedly. After beginning as a tutor in 2021, Belinda joined the college in an instructional role in 2022.
"My journey through nursing school was profoundly shaped by the faculty at Miles Community College, whose mentorship, encouragement, and belief in my potential helped me become the nurse and educator I am today," she shares.
Today, Belinda brings that same spirit of encouragement into her own classroom. Her days often begin with coffee in hand as she prepares lectures, reviews course materials, responds to student emails, and organizes simulation activities. Depending on the day, she may be teaching anatomy and physiology, nursing foundations, or adult health, or working alongside students in the simulation lab to help them develop confidence and clinical judgment.
Beyond classroom instruction, Belinda spends much of her time mentoring students, celebrating their accomplishments, and helping them navigate the challenges of nursing school. She also continues to practice as a nurse, bringing current, real-world experiences into her teaching.
Having experienced the demands of nursing school herself, Belinda understands how important it is for students to have someone in their corner. Creating a supportive environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and growing into their roles as future nurses is one of the most rewarding parts of her work.
"I believe the most meaningful learning happens when students move beyond memorizing facts and begin making connections between science, theory, and real-life patient care," she explains.
That passion for learning extends across every course she teaches. Whether exploring cellular functions, understanding how medications work, or examining the theories behind patient care, Belinda enjoys helping students discover the connections between classroom concepts and clinical practice.
Describing herself as enthusiastic, hopeful, motivated, loving, and positive, Belinda approaches both teaching and life with a strong belief in the power of education. Her own experiences have shown her that circumstances do not have to determine a person's future, and she hopes to pass that message along to her students.
"One lesson that has stayed with me throughout my life is that your circumstances may shape your story, but they do not have to define your future," she says. "Education is one of the most powerful tools for creating opportunity, building resilience, and changing the trajectory of your life. Once you've earned that knowledge, no one can take it from you."
When reflecting on her greatest career achievement, Belinda looks beyond earning her nursing degree or becoming an educator. For her, the greatest accomplishment has been turning her personal experiences into an opportunity to help others pursue their own goals. Returning to the institution that helped shape her future has given her a sense of purpose she hopes to carry throughout her career.
Outside of work, Belinda enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and their dogs and cats. Much of their family life revolves around the ranch, where she appreciates the hard work and simplicity of rural living. She also enjoys gardening, traveling, trying new recipes, and sharing good food with family and friends. An enthusiastic organizer, she admits that her love of planning often results in spreadsheets for just about everything.
Looking ahead, Belinda dreams of traveling internationally, immersing herself in different cultures, and exploring new foods and traditions. A meal at the renowned French Laundry restaurant is on her wish list, along with the possibility of tackling a physically demanding challenge, such as an endurance race.
Although her interests and ambitions extend well beyond the classroom, Belinda knows that helping others discover their potential will always be an important part of her life. Even if she weren't working in nursing or education, she believes she would find another way to create opportunities for others.
For Belinda, the opportunity to teach at Miles Community College represents a full-circle moment. Once a student who relied on the encouragement of her instructors, she is now helping the next generation of nurses build the confidence, knowledge, and resilience to pursue their own dreams.
