Course: Modeling a Commitment to Professional Learning

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Course Description

Modeling a commitment to professional learning is more a “way of being” than a “subject to study”. So what will participants learn if they choose to explore this course?  We will learn from one another as we share how we model our professional learning personally, but participants will also be exposed to resources, processes, and information they can begin using in their divisions the next day. The benefit is that the learning will help participants model their commitment to professional learning while also helping them improve their school authority.

As a result of attending this course, participants will:

• understand how educational leaders model their commitment to professional learning.
• evaluate the extent to which professional learning structures in their school authority align with the research regarding effective professional learning.
• comprehend, analyze, and evaluate components of effective communities of professional practice with leaders from similar and different contexts.
• comprehend and evaluate research to evaluate contemporary trends in education.
• analyze and evaluate their leadership style, philosophy of education, and/or approach to educational leadership based on their professional context.

This course will be facilitated by:

Dr. Scott Morrison is the former Superintendent of Christ the Redeemer (CTR) Catholic Schools and a former CASS President. Prior to becoming a superintendent, Scott served as a teacher and principal at both the elementary and secondary levels. Scott retired from the superintendency in 2023 and now keeps himself busy as the Executive Director of the CCSSA and teaching leadership courses at St. Mary’s University and the University of Calgary. Scott’s master’s research focus was distributed practice, and his doctoral research focus was organizational storytelling. Scott is an experienced facilitator of professional learning and has presented on various topics as far south as Lethbridge and as far north as Grande Prairie. He’s also presented at CASS’s Start Right and Leading for Learning for over a decade. Another professional interest is consulting with St. Mary’s University as they seek to establish a Master of Education in Catholic Leadership program.

Jacealyn Hempel is the Director of Learning – Elementary at Christ the Redeemer School Division and has been an administrator and teacher in Christ the Redeemer School Division for 18 years. Her educational background consists of a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, Master of Teaching Degree, and a Masters in Leadership and Administration. Her biggest impact is working with teachers through modelling teaching and leadership actions and learning alongside them, team teaching with teachers, inspiring students through building a school of passionate teachers, and learning from other mentors and colleagues.

Course Requirements

All courses require a 10-hour commitment consisting of facilitated instruction and potentially some pre-course work prior to the facilitated instruction. CEP courses do not carry credit for post-secondary programs and grades are not assigned.

Individuals registered for courses are expected to commit to the entire time of the scheduled course and participate in all activities.

After the successful completion of a course, a certificate of completion will be provided.

Regulated CASS members may enter their hours into their Accreditation Profile to earn professional learning hours towards annual accreditation. Each completed course is equal to 10 hours.

Right to Cancel Courses

CASS reserves the right to cancel a course due to insufficient registration or other extenuating circumstances. The decision to cancel a course will be made following the registration deadline. In such cases, registrants will be provided with a full refund, and will be notified by email.