Bridging Traditions: The Influential Role of Indigenous Knowledge Keepers in Provincial Education Systems

Wednesday, June 19, 2024
3:00 – 5:00 p.m. 

Cost: No Charge

Session Description:
Building respectful and reciprocal relationships with local Indigenous communities is vital for student success (SLQS and LQS). During this webinar, the journey of reconciliation between Canadian Rockies Public Schools and Îyethka, Stoney Nakoda Knowledge Keepers will be shared. Join Knowledge Keepers Philomene Stevens, Ollie Benjamin, Tracey Stevens, and Virgle Stephens with Nadine Dack-Doi, Indigenous Services Coordinator, Canadian Rockies School Division, as they highlight the steps they have been taken to support learning for youth in schools. Practical ideas to engage Knowledge Keepers and tools to support building respectful and reciprocal relationships will be shared. The Knowledge Keepers will share their insights and suggestions about how to work collaboratively to address young people’s learning needs.

Hosted By:
Crystal Clark, Indigenous Education Consulting
Dr. Dianne Roulson, CASS Leadership Consultant

ᒥᔪ ᐃᐧᒉᐦᑐᐃᐧᐣ Miyo Wicehtowin: Building Relationships through School-Community Voices

Wednesday, June 12, 2024
3:00 – 5:00 p.m. 

Cost: No Charge

REGISTER HERE

Session Description:
This webinar will feature the learning journey of connections supporting reconciliation between Northland School Division (NSD) and ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐤNehiyawak. Participants will have an opportunity to sit in a virtual circle to learn with Cree Knowledge Keeper, John Bigstone, as he highlights what reciprocity means for building respectful relationships and how others can use the practice of reciprocity to support their parents, community members, staff, and students.

Hosted By:
Crystal Clark, Indigenous Education Consulting
Dr. Dianne Roulson, CASS Leadership Consultant

The webinars build on the insights offered in the Guide to Relationships and Learning with the Indigenous Peoples of Alberta, the new eLeadership Guide, Establishing and Maintaining Respectful Relationships for Student Success, A Virtual Circle with Elders, and Improving Success for Indigenous Students. System education leaders have identified the need to deepen their understanding about how to build respectful and reciprocal relationships with Indigenous communities to better enable them to lead reconciliation in their district and to further the success of Indigenous students (SLQS, LQS, Optimum Learning for All Students Final Report, June 2023).

A Systematic Approach to Promoting Positive Student Mental Health

This 4-part webinar series will focus on the system education leaders‘ role in supporting student mental health in order to ensure optimum learning for all students in your school authority.

By participating in this webinar series, participants will have the opportunity to:

• examine system education leadership practices that support and build student mental health capacity in their school authorities and apply these to their own context.
• contribute to the development of learning materials that will support system education leaders with building student mental health capacity in their school authorities.

Part 4 – Wednesday, June 5, 2024
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

The focus of this fourth webinar in a series of four will focus on strategies employed by system education leaders to ensure that partnerships are being developed to support students and families with navigating pathways to mental health support and services.  The guiding questions for this learning opportunity are:

• What successes and challenges have you faced in developing partnerships and navigating pathways to support student mental health?
• What system education leader practices are necessary to ensure that partnerships are being developed to support students and families with navigating pathways to mental health support and services?
• How will you know that the strategies you are implementing are having a positive impact?

This webinar will include stories of practice from 5 Alberta school authorities as well as some context and information about the work that CASS is engaged in.

Presentations by:

Jodi Smith, Associate Superintendent of Human Resources with Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools and Dr. Marcie Perdue, Associate Superintendent of Student Services with Chinook’s Edge School Division will share the collective work they are doing within communities to support student mental health across their school authorities.  

From Peace Wapiti Public School Division, Shawn O’Shea, Assistant Superintendent of Learning Services and Ashley Mercer, Mental Health Clinical Supervisor will share how they are leveraging partnerships within an outreach model to implement comprehensive tiered supports and services to ensure that no students are falling through the cracks.

Karen Rancier, Associate Superintendent of Human Services with Horizon School Division and Lisa Lindsay, Director of Student Experiences from Prairie Rose School Division along with some of their partners through Well at Work from EdCan will share the work they are doing across both school authorities to build administrators’ capacity to shape safe, healthy and welcoming school environments.

A Systematic Approach to Promoting Positive Student Mental Health

This 4-part webinar series will focus on the system education leaders‘ role in supporting student mental health in order to ensure optimum learning for all students in your school authority.

By participating in this webinar series, participants will have the opportunity to:

• examine system education leadership practices that support and build student mental health capacity in their school authorities and apply these to their own context.
• contribute to the development of learning materials that will support system education leaders with building student mental health capacity in their school authorities.

PART 3 – Wednesday, May 15, 2024
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

The focus of this third webinar in a series of four will be on strategies to support building student mental health capacity in your school authority.  The guiding questions for this learning opportunity are:

• What structures and processes have you implemented to ensure the early identification of student mental health needs and facilitate intervention strategies?  What have the successes and challenges been in this work?
• What system education leader practices are necessary to ensure that student mental health needs are being identified and addressed throughout your school authority?
• How will you know that the strategies you are implementing are having a positive impact?

This webinar will include stories of practice from 3 Alberta school authorities as well as some context and information about the work that CASS is engaged in.

Presentations by:

Nicola Golby, Associate Superintendent of Student Services will share Red Deer Public Schools’ story of practice about the two-pronged approach they have taken to addressing student behavior concerns throughout their school authority.

Leanne Timko, Director of Diverse Learning with Calgary Catholic School District will share how they are implementing a wellness framework and building capacity for emotional and psychological safety throughout their school authority. 

Gillian Bowerman, Provincial Program Director with the Integrated Schools Support Program (ISSP) will share an overview of the work they are doing to implement comprehensive wellness models in school authorities across the province. 

Wednesday, May 8, 2024
3:00 – 5:00 p.m. 

Cost: No Charge

Session Description:

Please join us for the first of a webinar series that will be offered this spring. In this webinar, participants will have an opportunity to sit in a virtual circle with Jonathan Kaiswatum, Director of Education, Tsuut’ina Education Department, Steven Crowchild, Minor Chief, Tsuut’ina Nation Xakujaa-yina/Chief and Council, Cindy Stefanato, Director of Indigenous Learning, Rocky View Schools, Lori Pritchard, Education Director for Indigenous Education, Calgary Board of Education, and Helmut Kaiser, Director of Learning Services, Calgary Catholic School District. Participants will catch a glimpse into the story of how they are working together to focus on the aspirations of young people and honour insights from Tsuut’ina Knowledge Keepers and Elders. The collaborative approach ensures the inclusion of Tsuut’ina language, culture, and perspectives while nurturing reciprocal kinship relations that foster respect, trust, and mutual understanding. Through their unwavering dedication to student success, the Tsuut’ina Education Department and its neighbouring school districts are ensuring that their work embodies the spirit and intent of treaty agreements.

The webinars build on the insights offered in the Guide to Relationships and Learning with the Indigenous Peoples of Alberta, the new eLeadership Guide, Establishing and Maintaining Respectful Relationships for Student Success, A Virtual Circle with Elders, and Improving Success for Indigenous Students. System education leaders have identified the need to deepen their understanding about how to build respectful and reciprocal relationships with Indigenous communities to better enable them to lead reconciliation in their district and to further the success of Indigenous students (SLQS, LQS, Optimum Learning for All Students Final Report, June 2023).

Stay tuned for information about upcoming webinars:

• Wednesday, May 29th, 3:00 – 5:00 pm, Canadian Rockies Public Schools and Stoney Nakoda Knowledge Keepers
• Wednesday, June 12th, 3:00 – 5:00 pm, Northland School School Division

Hosted By:
Crystal Clark, Indigenous Education Consulting
Dr. Dianne Roulson, CASS Leadership Consultant

As a result of participating in this webinar, participants will have the opportunity to:

• develop an awareness and understanding of various themes from the research findings such as implementation, professional learning, measuring impact and supporting Indigenous education.
• learn how one school authority addresses the various themes and have an opportunity to dialogue with colleagues about practices and approaches being applied.
• imagine approaches that are most appropriate for your context and your role creating the conditions for optimum learning for all students.

St. Paul Education

Wednesday, May 1, 2024
9:00 – 10:30 a.m.

Cost: No Charge

The final report from Alberta’s post-secondary research, on implementation of the professional practice standards, offers recommendations for school authorities based on the 4-year longitudinal study. This study aimed to evaluate, enhance, and broaden the implementation process of Alberta’s three professional practice standards. The final report highlights themes such as implementation strategies, professional learning, Indigenous education, and methods for measuring impact.  Maintaining  a focus on applying the professional practice standards  has been referenced by others as a factor for high performing districts to consider.

What Barriers and Supports Do Teachers, Principals, and System Leaders Identify in the Implementation Process? Organizational supports are developed by facilitative administrators (school leaders, school authority leaders, and superintendent leaders) who change organizational structures, processes, and procedures to create a supportive environment for guiding the implementation of the Standards. p.92 Freisen,S. et al. (2023) 

A Systematic Approach to Promoting Positive Student Mental Health

This 4-part webinar series will focus on the system education leaders‘ role in supporting student mental health in order to ensure optimum learning for all students in your school authority.

By participating in this webinar series, participants will have the opportunity to:

• examine system education leadership practices that support and build student mental health capacity in their school authorities and apply these to their own context.
• contribute to the development of learning materials that will support system education leaders with building student mental health capacity in their school authorities.

PART 2 – Wednesday, April 17, 2024
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

The focus of this second webinar in a series of four will be on strategies to support building student mental health capacity in your school authority.  The guiding questions for this learning opportunity are:

• What successes and challenges have you faced in building student mental health capacity throughout your school authority?
• What system education leader practices are necessary to ensure that student mental health capacity is being built throughout your school authority?
• How will you know that the strategies you are implementing to build student mental health capacity are having a positive impact?

This webinar will include stories of practice from 3 Alberta school authorities as well as some context and information about the work that CASS is engaged in.

Presentations by:

From Elk Island Public Schools, Sandra Stoddard, Superintendent, and Mardi Hardy, Mental Health Advisor will share their story of leading through a paradigm shift.   

Barb Reaney, Director of Education Services – SSW Clinical Lead & Mental Health Supports with Wolf Creek Public Schools will share the story of how Wolf Creek is building student mental health capacity by implementing universal social/emotional learning programming across their school authority. 

Morag Asquith, Associate Superintendent – Instructional Services with Lethbridge School Division will share their story of practice related to digital wellness in their school authority. 

Calgary Catholic Schools

Wednesday, April 10, 2024
9:00 – 10:30 a.m.

Cost: No Charge

The final report from Alberta’s post-secondary research, on implementation of the professional practice standards, offers recommendations for school authorities based on the 4-year longitudinal study. This study aimed to evaluate, enhance, and broaden the implementation process of Alberta’s three professional practice standards. The final report highlights themes such as implementation strategies, professional learning, Indigenous education, and methods for measuring impact.  Maintaining  a focus on applying the professional practice standards  has been referenced by others as a factor for high performing districts to consider.

The professional practice standards adopted in the province have set a powerful foundation for the work that lies ahead. First, they have helped all those working in the education system in Alberta to identify a clear, powerful “why” to galvanize their work around: optimum learning for all students. As Dr. Wheatley (2002) points out, “there is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.”  CASS has discovered it, and this is brewing a powerful force for change.
Dr. Santiago Rincón-Gallardo CASS/ASBOA Summer Conference 2023

Calgary Catholic will share how they use the professional practice standards as a “unifying vision for data collection, analysis, evidenced-based decision-making, and promoting coherence within the system for optimal student learning” (Recommendation #14 from final report). Generally, they will focus on the work being done related to TQS Competency 3: Demonstrating a Professional Body of Knowledge. Specifically, they will “zero-in” on district data and feedback gathered concerning teacher assessment practices.

The CCSD story of practice will also  focus on LQS competencies Embodying Visionary Leadership, Leading a Learning Community and Developing Leadership Capacity.  SLQS competencies Modelling a Commitment to Professional Learning and Visionary Leadership is represented in the story of practice as well.

Dr. Bonnie Stelmach will offer, based on her involvement in the 4 year longitudinal study, her perspectives on the research theme related to measuring impact.

A synopsis of  the Research Study of Teaching Quality Standard, Leadership Quality Standard, and Superintendent Leader Quality Standard Implementation and Enactment in Alberta  is available in this CASS Learning Guide

Presented by:

Dr. Bryan Szumlas, Ed. D, is the Chief Superintendent of the Calgary Catholic School District. Bryan has been with CCSD for 34 years and has served as a teacher, AP, VP, Principal, Supervisor, Director and Area Director. Bryan is passionate about living and learning in the Catholic Faith so that students centered in Christ can realize their full potential.

Helmut Kaiser is a Director of Learning Service with the Calgary catholic School District. Helmut has had a long career with Calgary Catholic and has held many roles including principal and supervisor. He is proficient in many languages and oversees the Teaching and Learning teams in CCSD. He is well versed and interest in assessment practices for student success.

Dr. Bonnie Stelmach is a Professor in the Studies in Educational Leadership program in the Faculty of Education. She completed her  doctorate in Educational Administration and Leadership in Educational Policy Studies at the University of Alberta, and a Master of Arts in Educational Philosophy at Simon Fraser University.

A Systematic Approach to Promoting Positive Student Mental Health

This 4-part webinar series will focus on the system education leaders‘ role in supporting student mental health in order to ensure optimum learning for all students in your school authority.

By participating in this webinar series, participants will have the opportunity to:

• examine system education leadership practices that support and build student mental health capacity in their school authorities and apply these to their own context.
• contribute to the development of learning materials that will support system education leaders with building student mental health capacity in their school authorities.

Wednesday, March 27, 2024
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

Cost: No Charge

The focus of this first webinar will be on promotion and prevention strategies to support student mental health in your school authority.  The guiding questions for this learning opportunity are:

• What successes and challenges have you faced in promoting positive student mental health throughout your school authority
• What system education leader practices are necessary to ensure that positive student mental health is being promoted throughout your school authority?
• How will you know that the promotion of student mental health in your school authority is having a positive impact?

This webinar will include stories of practice from 3 Alberta school authorities as well as some context and information about the work that CASS is engaged in.

Presentations by:

Michele Revoy, Directory of Teaching Quality and Staff Development for East Central Catholic Schools will share their story of building capacity and barrier-free pathways.  

From Rocky View Schools, Wendy Ruzicka, Assistant Director of Learning Supports and Allison Salazar, Acting Program Manager of Stepping Stones to Mental Health will share the work they are doing to cultivate wellness and implement effective mental health supports in schools. 

Marianne Barrett, Deputy Superintendent of Program and Planning with St. Albert Public Schools will share how they are creating space for student voice and supporting student mental health throughout their school authority. 

Evergreen Catholic Schools

Wednesday, March 13, 2024
9:00 – 10:30 a.m.

Cost: No Charge

The final report from Alberta’s post-secondary research, on implementation of the professional practice standards, offers recommendations for school authorities based on the 4-year longitudinal study. This study aimed to evaluate, enhance, and broaden the implementation process of Alberta’s three professional practice standards. The final report highlights themes such as implementation strategies, professional learning, Indigenous education, and methods for measuring impact.

“The standards for teachers, leaders, and superintendents are consistent with the literature for high performing systems. A review of the literature indicated that high performing systems implement standards for teachers, leaders, and superintendents to positively impact student learning and success (Adams & Allan, 2019).” Freisen,S. et al. (2023)

Join Evergreen Catholic senior system education leadership team as they share how they work cohesively to guide the work and create the conditions for optimum learning for all students in the school authority.  Cultivating a culture of learning through modelling growth expectations and processes is based on visionary leadership and a strong commitment to student learning and staff growth.  Implementation of multiple initiatives, based on the intention of the initiative and context of each school, is an important part of the senior education leadership team.  Evergreen Catholic Separate School Division: Ever Growing, Learning and Living context.

Dr. Edgar Schmidt will offer, based on his involvement in the 4 year longitudinal study, his perspectives on the research theme related to professional learning.

Presented By:

Cindy Escott has over 30 years of experience in K-12 education and has held various roles as an educator, administrator, and senior leader. Currently, Cindy is serving as the Superintendent with Evergreen Catholic Schools.  She commits to empowering staff, students, and families to ensure their collective efforts lead to student success. 

Duane Hagen is currently serving as the Deputy Superintendent with Evergreen Catholic Schools. He has over 33 years of experience in education and has held various roles as an educator, administrator, and senior leader.  Duane leverages his leadership experience in overseeing our HR department.

Terri Lynn Guimond is an educator and leader with over 25 years of experience in K-12 education. Currently Terri Lynn serves as the Associate Superintendent for Evergreen Catholic Schools. She understands the importance of instructional leadership and is dedicated to providing teachers and administrators with the tools and resources they need to be successful in their roles.

Edgar Schmidt is currently a leadership consultant with CASS.  Edgar has previous career opportunities as the chief superintendent of Edmonton Public Schools and Dean of Education with Concordia University of Edmonton.  Edgar was involved, as a researcher, with the professional practice standards research study.

Tuesday, October 24, 2023
9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Cost: No Charge

Session Description:
Superintendents and system education leaders sustain a learning culture in school authorities that promote an evidence-based approach and ongoing critical reflection about shared responsibility for student success and continuous improvement.  During this session, participants will learn and reflect upon learning disruption and classroom complexity from a system leader perspective. As a result of attending this session, participants will learn about promising system education leadership practices that resulted in Grades 1- 3 student gains in literacy and/or numeracy achievement and will hear Alberta Stories of Practice about how system education leaders use data to inform leading learning in their local context.

Presented By:

• Fort McMurray Catholic Schools (Facilitators & Presentation)
  • Danielle Maczko, Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
  • Mat Campbell, Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
• Classroom Complexity Research (CASS)
  • Danica Martin, Leadership Consultant
• Edmonton Catholic School Division
  • Nicole Lafreniere, Director of Curriculum and Assessment
  • Sarah Fedoration, EAL and Languages Manager
• Grande Prairie Public School Division
  • James Robinson, Deputy Superintendent of Schools
  • Corinne Kruse, Director of Teaching and Learning
• Prairie Rose School Division
  • Reagan Weeks, Superintendent
  • Boyd Craven, Assistant Superintendent
• Red Deer Public Schools
  • Dan Lower, Deputy Superintendent
  • Shari Jensen, Numeracy Coordinator
  • Sherri Jansen, Literacy Coordinator