The official magazine for the College of Alberta School Superintendents the Spring 2025 Volume 20, Issue 1 Professional Learning Through Accreditation: Growing System Education Leadership in Alberta Canada Post Publications Agreement Number: 40609661 5 7 9 10 14 16 18 21 Messages: Message from the Minister of Education Message from the CASS President Message from the CASS Chief Executive Officer FOCUS ON… PROFESSIONAL LEARNING THROUGH ACCREDITATION: GROWING SYSTEM EDUCATION LEADERSHIP IN ALBERTA Features: Learn it, Live it, Light it Up! Building a Data-Informed Culture of Continuous Improvement A Strong Foundation and an Optimistic Future Fostering Systemic Growth: How Continuing Education Programs Support System Leadership Development Healthy People, Healthy Workplace: Continued Learning and Wellness Supports through ASEBP ARCHITECT Workun Garrick Partnership .......................................20 ATTORNEYS Brownlee LLP ............................................................20 McLennan Ross LLP .....................................................9 BENEFIT PLANS Alberta Retired Teachers’ Association .....................OBC Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan .......................IFC CAREER-FOCUSED EDUCATION PROGRAMS Northwestern Polytechnic............................................6 CONTEST FOR ELAL AND SOCIAL STUDIES Alberta Champions Society ........................................13 KURIAKOS OUTDOOR SCHOOL Kuriakos .....................................................................22 LIFE IN VULCAN Vulcan Tourism and Trek Station .................................8 MUSEUM Alberta Aviation Museum ...........................................12 SCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAMS National Music Centre .................................................4 UNIVERSITY University of Alberta - Professional Learning ...............11 WATER BOTTLE FILLING STATIONS Dobbin Sales ............................................................IBC INDEX TO ADVERTISERS The CASS Connection The official magazine for the College of Alberta School Superintendents Spring 2025 Published for: The College of Alberta School Superintendents Suite 1300, First Edmonton Place 10665 Jasper Avenue Edmonton, AB T5J 3S9 Phone: (780) 451-7126 Fax: (780) 482-5659 admin@cass.ab.ca www.cass.ab.ca Published by: Matrix Group Publishing Inc. 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Account Executives Colleen Bell, Jackie Casburn, Chandler Cousins, Rich Cowan, Helaina Van Dommelen, Rob Gibson, Jim Hamilton, Scott Hendren, Frank Kenyeres, Sandra Kirby, Andrew Lee, Brian MacIntyre, Chad Morris, Lynn Murphy, Wilma Gray-Rose, Monique Simons, Joseph Ukaoha Advertising Design James Robinson Layout & Design Cody Chomiak ©2025 Matrix Group Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Matrix Group Publishing Inc. Printed in Canada. Disclaimer: The College of Alberta School Superintendents does not necessarily endorse the products or services presented in paid advertisements. contents On the Cover: This issue’s cover features CASS members actively engaged in collaboration at a conference, exploring educational leadership strategies, exchanging ideas, and participating in workshops that support system-wide growth. The setting reflects a dynamic and collegial atmosphere, demonstrating the importance of accreditation through the Continuing Education Program’s principles and learning outcomes in strengthening Alberta’s system education leadership. The official magazine for the College of Alberta School Superintendents the Spring 2025 Volume 20, Issue 1 Professional Learning Through Accreditation: Growing System Education Leadership in Alberta The College of Alberta School Superintendents 3I believe education is the cornerstone of our modern world and backbone of our economy. Together, with your leadership, we are building an educa- tion system that meets the needs of today’s students, while also preparing them to become tomorrow’s leaders, innovators, and changemakers. As the Minister of Education, I know how vital it is to have strong leaders driving our education system forward. That is why I am so passionate about the topic Growing System Education Leadership in Alberta. Alberta Education is committed to culti- vating effective system leadership through its superintendent leadership requirements and the Superintendent Leadership Quality Stan- dard. As leaders in our education system, your dedication and hard work ensures qual- ity school leadership, teaching excellence, and optimum learning for all students. Your con- tinued success, growth, and learning is what ensures students can succeed as well. To ensure excellence in both educational and administrative leadership, superintendents in Alberta must be certificated by the Min- ster of Education and hold superintendent leadership certification. The Superintendent Leadership Quality Standard sets out several requirements for superintendents including a commitment to ongoing professional learning – an ethos reinforced by the College of Alberta School Superintendents (CASS) through its accreditation framework. By adhering to these standards and main- taining continuous learning, we’re ensuring those setting direction, establishing processes, and overseeing our schools are prepared to meet the challenges of our modern world. As superintendents, you shape the quality and direction of education in your school divi- sions, and across the broader education system. You are the chief executive officers of school divisions, and are responsible for implement- ing policies, overseeing the administration of schools, and ensuring student learning aligns with provincial education standards. CASS and its members have been invalu- able partners in developing strong super- intendents. Under the CASS Act, CASS focuses on developing and implementing continuing education programs and resourc- es to improve the knowledge and skills of members, which are values aligned with those of Alberta Education. Together, our collaboration has enhanced the overall expe- rience for Alberta students, underscoring why this partnership is so valuable. Your unwavering commitment to ensure optimal learning for all students in Alberta’s classrooms has helped shape policies and prac- tices that benefit all students. I want to thank you for the incredible work that you do. Alberta’s education system is built on strong collaboration between the department and our education partners. The exceptional efforts from CASS and all school superintendents make a difference in the lives of Alberta students and help our education system thrive. I look forward to our continued partnership. Demetrios Nicolaides Alberta Minister of Education Demetrios Nicolaides | Alberta Minister of Education Message from the Minister of Education Effective System Leadership Driving our Education System Forward “As leaders in our education system, your dedication and hard work ensures quality school leadership, teaching excellence, and optimum learning for all students. Your continued success, growth, and learning is what ensures students can succeed as well.” The College of Alberta School Superintendents 5A s educational leaders, we are committed to lifelong learning – not only for the students we serve but also for ourselves. Leadership in education is dynamic, requiring ongo- ing growth, reflection, and adaptation to meet the ever-evolving needs of our schools and communities. In this edition of The CASS Connection, we explore how professional learning through accredita- tion strengthens system education leader- ship in Alberta. Accreditation is more than a credential, it is a commitment to continuous improve- ment, deepening expertise, and ensuring that leaders are equipped to navigate the com- plexities of education today. Accreditation pro- vides system leaders with the tools to enhance instructional leadership, foster innovation, and drive student success, while at the same time providing assurance to the students, staff, and families whom we serve. The importance of professional learn- ing cannot be overstated. Our roles require us to be visionaries, problem- solvers, and advocates for quality educa- tion. Accreditation helps ensure that we remain grounded in research-based prac- tices, responsive to emerging challenges, and prepared to lead with confidence and integrity. It also fosters a culture of shared learning, where leaders across the prov- ince can collaborate, mentor, and inspire one another. In this issue, you will find reflec- tions, research, and real-world experiences that illustrate the impact of accreditation on educational leader- ship. These stories highlight how inten- tional professional learning strengthens not only individual leaders but also the entire system. Thank you for your dedication to learning and leadership. Together, we continue to grow, adapt, and shape the future of education in Alberta. Dr. Clint Moroziuk President College of Alberta School Superintendents Message from the President CASS Board of Directors Lifelong Learning, Growth, and Reflection Dr. Clint Moroziuk | College of Alberta School Superintendents President Dr. Clint Moroziuk Superintendent Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools Past President Dr. Andrea Holowka Superintendent Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools 1 st Vice-President Mike McMann Superintendent Fort Vermilion School Division 2 nd Vice-President & Zone 6 Director Dr. Reagan Weeks Superintendent Prairie Rose School Division Zone 1 Director Dr. Jessie Shirley Superintendent Grande Prairie & District Catholic Schools Zone 2/3 Director Krimsen Sumners Superintendent St. Albert Public Schools Zone 4 Director Greg Wedman Deputy Superintendent Wild Rose School Division Zone 5 Director Vincent Behm Deputy Superintendent Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools Director – Metro School Authority Lynnette Anderson Chief Superintendent Edmonton Catholic Schools Director – First Nations School Authority (Treaty 7) Jonathan Kaiswatum Director of Education Tsuut’ina Nation Director – Francophone School Authority Brigitte Kropielnicki Superintendent Conseil scolaire nord-ouest Chief Executive Officer David Keohane The College of Alberta School Superintendents 7T he foundation of a strong and evolving education system lies in the commitment of its leaders to career-long learn- ing. Membership within our college continues to attest through word and action that professional learning is not just a personal endeavor – it is a systemic responsibility that strengthens the entire K-12 landscape. This is why “college” was intentionally included in the name of our regulatory body – signifying a collective commitment to lifelong professional learn- ing. All our regulated members, through a common professional learning program, agree to uphold the value of the aims and privileges of system education leadership – a unique component of Alberta’s education system that always functions in the public’s interest for excellence in education. As this edition of our magazine high- lights, the impact of structured professional David Keohane | College of Alberta School Superintendents Message from the Chief Executive Officer learning is far-reaching. From fostering responsive leadership to enhancing system- wide instructional excellence, the stories and contributions in this issue illustrate how accreditation through ongoing education goes beyond meeting professional practice standards – it amplifies their impact, ensur- ing student learning remains the central focus of every initiative in the education system. The College of Alberta School Superin- tendents’ (CASS) commitment to annual and ongoing accreditation assures the public that every regulated member upholds a rigorous and consistent standard of profes- sional learning. Our Continuing Education Program (CEP) reinforces that every com- petency within the Superintendent’s Leader- ship Quality Standard and the Leadership Quality Standard remains relevant, adapt- able, and consistently applied across diverse educational contexts. Therefore, our collective gratitude extends to the many contributors in this edition who share their insights, challenges, and triumphs in profes- sional learning. Their voices reinforce the belief that education leadership is a shared pursuit, embodied by a common sense of dedication, adaptability, and a commitment to learning. Pro- fessional learning prioritizes research-based prac- tices – both from local colleagues and insights from other jurisdictions – that have been proven to enhance student learning. As we look ahead, CASS remains commit- ted to ensuring that every school leader has access to the tools, knowledge, and networks needed to inspire great next practices in teach- ing and learning. Thank you to all who cham- pion professional learning and contribute to the ongoing success of Alberta’s students. David Keohane Chief Executive Officer College of Alberta School Superintendents Shaping the Future of Education Through Continuous Learning The College of Alberta School Superintendents 9Next >