Trustee Forum Question #1

Last week at the Public School Board trustee forum each candidate was allowed to answer 1 of 3 questions. I will post my answers to all 3 questions over the next few days. 

Question # 1. How should Red Deer Public Schools move forward on the vision outlined in Inspiring Education?

Inspiring Education will bring major changes to Education in Alberta.

The ideas in Inspiring Education are progressive, but the government should not rush through the process of implementing Inspiring Education. As a School Board we need to make sure the voices of our Board, superintendent, teachers and parents are not only heard but also have considerable input into the design and implementation.

I am aware of the direction Alberta Education is setting for education.
In 2012, I was invited to participate in an Alberta Education Symposium where I was involved in discussions on what the new Alberta Curriculum should look like.

Last year, I was a presenter at the College of Alberta School Superintendents Learning Symposium, which focused on the transformation of education for all Alberta Students.

The knowledge I have gained from my involvement in these symposiums will help provide insights into the decisions the Board makes concerning Inspiring Education and our students.

Red Deer Public School District should set-up committees (composed of teachers, C.O. staff, RDC, businesses and non-profits) to study research and discuss how we can develop creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, resourceful ethical citizens of the future.

Inspiring Education focuses on developing
- Engaged Thinkers,
- Ethical Citizens
- And an Entrepreneurial Spirit.
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We need to be prepared for the changes in Inspiring Education not playing catch-up.

Technology will be a big focus of Inspiring Education and preparing our students to be 21 Century learners

When new technology is introduced into schools teachers need to be provided with ongoing professional development on how to use the new technology properly.

Red Deer Public Schools need to make sure teachers are provided
with proper knowledge, instruction and time to explore, technology otherwise it will be used for drill and practice when it is capable of so much more.