Your Story, Our Future
As a system leader, share a short story of how a CASS member colleague made a difference in your professional practice.
As a system leader, share a short story of how a CASS member colleague made a difference in your professional practice.
Your Story, Our Future
As a system leader, share a short story of how a CASS member colleague made a difference in your professional practice.
Your story will be available to the general public to view.
-
Leader, Teacher, Mentor & Advocate
by lindsay.fagan, 6 days agoVincent Behm, Chief Deputy Superintendent of Christ The Redeemer (CTR), was my first principal. He took a chance on me, a baby teacher, to work as a teacher at his K-12 school. From the moment he hired me, he served as my personal mentor, teacher and advocate - aiding me in my journey as an educator and eventually, school principal and system leader. He has an innate ability to foster effective relationships, is a visionary leader, and works daily to sustain a learning culture within CTR Catholic to promote ongoing critical reflection on practice and shared responsibility for student success... Continue reading
-
BGSD Senior Admin
by jon.ganton, 2 months agoIt is impossible to determine the one Senior Admin from BGSD that made the largest impact on my professional practice as they have all played a massive role in my thinking and learning. Our former Superintendent Dr. Norman Yanitski and current Associate Superintendent of HR Calvin Monty gave me the opportunity to join the leadership team of BGSD as a principal and continue to show how kindness and compassion are key to leading effectively. Bill Romanchuk, current Superintendent of BGSD, has shown how important having a strategic vision and living core values is for successful navigation through the trials and... Continue reading
-
Dianne McBeth, Inspirational Motivator
by Della.Ruston, 2 months agoEarly in my career, I had the good fortune of working with Dianne McBeth, twice as my principal and later as deputy superintendent. She had a significant impact on my career path by believing in me and providing me with challenging leadership opportunities. As a female, in an important leadership position, Dianne exemplified intelligence, vision, and strength and was an exceptional role model. I will be forever grateful for the leadership she provided and the impact she has had on me both personally and professionally.
-
A Strong Foundation
by Cheryl.Gilmore, 2 months agoI was fortunate to embark on my career in central office under the leadership of Eric Johnson, the Superintendent at that time in Horizon School Division. Eric was highly regarded throughout Zone 6, and when he shared his perspective on a topic everyone stopped to listen carefully. He modeled what I grew to understand as critical foundations for leadership in a system. Clear in moral purpose, everyone in the system knew that he would ask the question, "Is that what is best for kids?" Decision-making was never clouded with politics or the desire to fulfill personal agendas. He was a... Continue reading -
From Mentorship to Friendship
by Michelle.MacKinnon, 2 months agoI have been fortunate to have many colleagues who have imprinted on my professional practice. When Chris Smeaton became superintendent at Holy Spirit he inherited me as Supervisor of Early Learning. In this role he trusted me to lead with the expertise I had in this area. When the role of Director of Support Services became available I put my hat in the ring and Chris chose me to assume the responsibilities of this new and larger role. Chris had a way of providing "just right" support when challenging issues emerged. There were times when I wanted to beg him... Continue reading -
True Unselfish Leadership
by Ken.Sampson, 2 months agoWhen I think of the many system leaders in CASS, a variety of amazing people come to mind. The two that rise to the top most often are Barry Litun and Chris Smeaton. Chris made my transition to Superintendent as seamless as it possibly could be, in spite of the fact that as soon as he left, the Global Pandemic hit our shores. For years now, Barry has unselfishly made time to assist and guide me through the the various processes since entering CASS in 2011. I am very grateful for the many relationships that have been developed in CASS... Continue reading -
CASS Women In Leadership | Powerful Mentorship
by Carmen.Larsen, 2 months agoAlthough this is only my third year as a CASS member, I have been so fortunate to work along side some fabulous leaders who have become mentors for me. Recently retired members: Amber Darroch, Joann Bartley & Lorelie Lenaour have all had a significant impact on my journey as a school and District leader. Current CASS members, including: Rhae-Ann Holoein, Katie Graham, Karen Rancier, and Terri Duncan (and so many more!) all continue to be an incredible support system for me. The strong collaborative relationship we have with one another and will only continue to grow and support our collective... Continue reading -
Valued Mentorship
by Michael Kilcommons, 2 months agoI became an Associate Superintendent 8 years ago. Despite having many years of experience as a site-based administrator, the leadership responsibilities - and opportunities - that came with the new designation were quite overwhelming at times.I was fortunate to have great leadership in our school division from my Chief Superintendent Dr. Scott Morrison, and two other colleagues who have since retired: Gary Chiste - Chief Deputy Superintendent, and Bonnie Annicchiarico - Associate Superintendent.
I was also blessed to have significant guidance from a relative stranger at the time, Bevan Daverne from Golden Hills School Division. Bevan was the Chair... Continue reading
-
Making a difference.....from start to finish......
by sandy.mcdonald, 2 months agoI had the great pleasure of working as a second year teacher with Sheldon Rowe as my vice principal. Sheldon retired as Superintendent of the Peace Wapiti Public School Division a few years ago. As part of his role in 1992, Sheldon taught my grade 8 students Social Studies, and he would come into my room to teach them. If you know Sheldon, you know he is an outstanding person, and it was an excellent year. The culture of the school that Sheldon and our principal nurtured made it a great place to work. Two memorable highlights stand out for... Continue reading -
Take a Risk
by roger.lauck, 2 months agoDuring my first teacher recruitment trip, one of my superiors empowered me to be a risk taker in a natural and unassuming way. During our flight, I was working on a few interview questions that I was hoping he might consider using during our interviews of teacher candidates. I had about five questions ready, and I approached him at his seat and asked him if he thought a couple of them could be worked into our interviews. He took the file, read through the questions, looked up at me, and said, "let's just use these." He then went back to... Continue reading