Province launches public dialogue on the future of education
Steering Committee announced for Inspiring Education in Alberta
Edmonton… Albertans will shape the future of education in Alberta through Inspiring Education: A Dialogue with Albertans, a unique public engagement initiative to take place across the province in 2009.
Minister of Education Dave Hancock has named a steering committee representing a range of perspectives to help design and lead the process. The Steering Committee will be co-chaired by Athabasca-Redwater MLA Jeff Johnson and Edmonton teacher Brent McDonough. Membership is comprised of three additional MLAs and 16 other individuals from across the province who will serve as ambassadors and guide the project.
“Our Inspiring Education dialogue is about how education in Alberta can help tomorrow’s students find their passions and prepare for success in the future,” said Minister Hancock. “This initiative will heighten public appreciation for education and build our understanding of what it will mean to be an educated Albertan 20 years from now. It will result in a new vision for education and a policy framework that will guide the Ministry and inform legislation.”The process, which will be finalized by the steering committee, will involve Albertans in extensi ve discussion about education as a foundation for the future societal and economic success of the province. The discussions will focus on five key values – opportunity, fairness, citizenship, choice and diversity – which are critical to the success of Alberta’s education system.
The open dialogue approach will include not only traditional stakeholder participation but also reach out to an extensive cross section of Albertans with diverse points of view and perspectives. During the dialogue, participants will gain a better understanding of how the work of various stakeholders and partners supports one another and contributes to the success of Alberta’s students.
Hancock added, “An education system that involves everyone as equal members of the community can be developed only through a process that involves everyone equally. This dialogue will only succeed if we all approach it with a willingness to listen, collaborate and communicate.”
A working committee, with members from provincial government departments and stakeholder groups, will develop a number of policy options for the education system. These options will be discussed in community events across the province next spring, leading up to a provincial forum in fall 2009. Details on the dialogue and the various participation opportunities will be released in the new year.
Inspiring Education steering committee biographies
Mark Anielski
Mark Anielski is an economist, professor of corporate social responsibility and author of The Economics of Happiness: Building Genuine Wealth, a best-selling, award winning book released in 2007. Mark believes that we must move beyond the conventional economic model of economic growth towards a more genuine economy of well-being and enduring happiness. He believes one of the most important contributors to our genuine wealth is a vibrant and flourishing youth population and an education system that helps to build a society whose virtues include wisdom, courage, justice and the practice of moderation.
Manmeet Singh Bhullar, MLA Calgary - Montrose
Manmeet Singh Bhullar was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in 2008 and serves as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Advanced Education and Technology. He was born in the Penbrooke neighborhood of his constituency and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from Athabasca University. Prior to becoming a Member of the Legislative Assembly, he worked as special assistant to the Honourable Jim Prentice, MP for Calgary Centre-North. An active member of his community, Manmeet founded Inspire, a youth development organization to empower young people and encourage them to participate in positive acts of community service. He also co-ordinated the Walking Hunger Away campaign which raised food and funds for the Calgary Interfaith Food Bank and led a team of volunteers that raised funds for the Calgary health region.
Lance Carlson
Lance Carlson is President and CEO of the Alberta College of Art and Design. He has taught at a variety universities and colleges and holds graduate degrees in both cultural studies (sociology) and art and design. For years, he has published commentary and criticism, including attention to the field of design as a problem-solving method. His interest is in the redefinition of design and creative process as fields of inquiry and practice, especially how design can set the stage for organizational innovation and better educational outcomes. Lance is a frequent consultant to organizations and communities.
Sharon Carry
Sharon Carry is currently the President and CEO of Bow Valley College, and has devoted nearly four decades to a career at four Alberta post-secondary institutions rooted in her passion for creating educational opportunities for access and student success. She has also been the owner of a successful marketing and communications business and consulted for several private and public sector organizations. A fourth generation Calgarian, Sharon has completed three degrees at the University of Calgary – a Bachelor of Arts (political science), a Bachelor of Education (with distinction), and a Masters of Communications Studies. Her academic work has been enriched with diverse professional development experiences, including studies at Harvard, Oxford, Vanderbilt, and McGill universities. In the community, Sharon’s interests include business, education, and social innovation, exemplified by her volunteer work with the Calgary Homelessness Foundation Board, the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, the United Way of Calgary, and the Mayor’s Panel on Urban Sustainability (imagine CALGARY). She is also a member of the Rotary Club of Calgary.
Dr. Sharon Friesen
Sharon is a founding partner and president of the Galileo Educational Network and an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Calgary. She has devoted herself to conducting research and collaborating with administrators and teachers to develop research based practices. She is the recipient of numerous awards including: the Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences 2007 Education Prize, the 2007 Calgary Stampede Legacy Award for Innovation and the 1999 Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence. She has co-authored three books, one which won the 2004 American Education Research Association Book Award for Curriculum Studies.
Jim Gibbons
Jim Gibbons has served in a variety of educational leadership positions from teacher, principal, deputy superintendent and superintendent. He has served, since 1997, as Superintendent of Schools for Chinook’s Edge School Division No. 73 (CESD), which encompasses rural Central Alberta from Carstairs north to Red Deer. He will bring a rural perspective (Jim and his wife live on a ranch near Sundre), experience as a faculty member at two post-secondary institutions, current Chair of the Council on Alberta Teaching Standards and a member of the University of Calgary Senate.
Mary Hofstetter
Originally from Kitchener, Ontario, Mary Hofstetter holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English and Theatre Arts from the University of Guelph, and a Master of Arts degree in English from the University of Western Ontario. She has also studied Technical Theatre Production and Art at The Banff Centre, French Language at the University of Neuchatel, and Civilization Française at the Sorbonne in Paris. Mary taught English and Art in England and at Neuchatel Junior College in Switzerland before returning to Canada to join the Ontario college system. In 1999, she was appointed executive vice-president and chief operating officer of The Banff Centre; acting president and CEO in 2000; and president and CEO in 2001.
Don Iveson
Don Iveson was elected to Edmonton City Council in 2007 representing Ward 5 in the Southwest area. He is particularly interested in the urban context of learning, specifically how land-use and transportation planning decisions impact learning outcomes. Don is also interested in the question of how municipal programs such as libraries, recreation and social services support learning in the community. Prior to seeking office, Don was employed in post-secondary learning advocacy and government relations for undergraduate students at the University of Alberta. Iveson considers himself a life long learner.
Jeff Johnson, co-chair, MLA Athabasca-Redwater
Jeff Johnson was elected to his first term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Athabasca-Redwater on March 3, 2008. Sport and recreation have played an important role in Jeff’s life as a hockey coach and trainer at the junior, college and pro levels. He has experience working in financial markets as a futures trading floor pit boss and as a salesperson for life insurance and related investment funds. For the last 16 years, he has owned and operated several small businesses. Prior to being elected, Jeff was the president and owner of Xpert Office Solutions, the largest rural Xerox Sales Agency in western Canada. He has a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Camrose Lutheran College (Augustana Faculty, U of A). Jeff is married and has three children.
Art Johnston, MLA Calgary-Hays
Art Johnston was elected to his second term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for the constituency of Calgary-Hays on March 3, 2008. Before being elected to Alberta’s legislature, Art served 11 years with the Canadian Armed Forces, reaching the rank of sergeant before beginning a 25-year career serving with the Calgary Police Service. He retired as a patrol sergeant in 2003. Art is active both politically and within his community. He and his wife have four children.
Dr. Wilton Littlechild
Dr. Wilton Littlechild received his Law Degree from the University of Alberta in 1976. He was the first Treaty Indian in Alberta to graduate with a law degree and the first Treaty Indian elected to the Canadian Parliament. He also graduated in 1967 with a Bachelor of Physical Education and 1975 with a Master’s Degree in Physical Education. As an athlete, he won more than 50 provincial, regional, national and international championships. As a coach and organizer of sports events, he was inducted into six Sports Walls of Fame. He was a founder of the North American Indigenous Games and is currently working on the World Indigenous Nations (WIN) Games. At the international level, he organized a coalition of Indigenous Nations that sought and gained consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. Recently, he was appointed as Games Ambassador for the 2010 Olympics.
Deborah Lloyd
Deborah Lloyd is employed with Medicine Hat School District #76 as the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Teacher/Consultant, a role she has been in for 21 years. Lloyd is a member of the Saddle Lake First Nation and grew up in central Alberta. She has lived in Medicine Hat for 35 years and is an active member of the whole community. Lloyd has a Bachelor of Education from the University of Lethbridge, majoring in Social Studies and specializing in Aboriginal Education. She has served as Co-chair on the Children’s Services Board Region 2, served on the AADAC Commission board for a number of years, and was the last acting chair of the AADAC board. Lloyd has also served on the Medicine Hat Community Foundation Board and is currently a member of the Medicine Hat Food Band board. She is married, has 5 children, 21 grandchildren and four great-step-grandchildren.
John Masters
Since February 1998, John Masters has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Calgary Technologies Inc. (CTI) – Calgary’s economic development agency for the advanced technology sector. John and his son have lived in Calgary since 1987, where he is active on many community and provincial technology and research councils. John pursues an active lifestyle including a passion for downhill skiing, golfing, four-season mountain activities and spending time at his home-away-from-home in the Columbia Valley of British Columbia.
Brent McDonough, co-chair
Brent McDonough is currently an International Baccalaureate (IB) Coordinator and Physics teacher at Holy Trinity High School, Edmonton Catholic Schools. He is a trustee with the Edmonton Public Library Board, the University of Alberta Alumni Association, and the Mill Woods Multicultural Foundation. Brent is also a former member of the U of A Senate. He believes that education is fundamental to innovation and the building of a skilled workforce, and that education is the foundation of strong and vibrant communities.
Dr. Jane O’Dea
A native of Ireland, Jane O’Dea’s first career was as a classical pianist and music teacher. Upon completion of her Ph.D. in philosophy of education at the University of Alberta, Jane joined the University of Lethbridge, where she is a Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Education. She believes that all children have the right to develop their diverse abilities and that schools, parents and communities must collaborate in support of that right. A passionate advocate of quality education, Jane sees education as the foundation of a meaningful life, the common good and a just society.
Brant Parker
Brant Parker is an educator passionate about supporting teachers to advance teaching practice and providing students with learning experiences that are consistent with the diverse, interdependent and rapidly changing digital world they live in. He has over 25 years experience teaching and leading innovation in both the K-12 education and technology sectors. Brant currently works with the Calgary Board of Education and is Principal of University School, as well as Dr Gordon Townsend School which operates out of the Alberta Children’s Hospital. He is also co-founder of School Soft Inc., an Alberta-based company which has developed a web-based solution for the scheduling of parent-teacher conferences.
Anne-Marie Pham
Anne-Marie Pham has strong ties to Calgary's ethno-cultural community and enjoys spearheading and supporting initiatives that address issues of community capacity building, ethno-cultural youth education and mentorship, community leadership, and the integration of ethno-cultural arts and culture into Canadian society. She has taken part in co-organizing many educational and cultural events in Calgary including youth leadership conferences, Asian Heritage Month, the Vietnamese Pavilion at Global Fest, and Refugee Day. Pham is currently the co-founder of the Calgary Vietnamese Youth Group and the chair of the Vietnamese Canadian Youth Action Committee of the Vietnamese Canadian Federation. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Calgary, and is currently in her last year of a Masters degree in Public Administration at the University of Victoria.
Zuhy Sayeed
Zuhy Sayeed was born in Bombay, India and has lived in Lloydminster for the past 30 years. Zuhy is a trained teacher specializing in Early Childhood Education, married to a family physician and school board trustee. They are parents of four sons; two of them with special needs. After receiving advice that their second son should be ‘placed in an institution’ and ‘forgotten about’, they successfully challenged the school system to provide their son with inclusive education; he is now a university student. Zuhy and her husband have ensured that their sons receive all the supports necessary for them to be successful young men and full and participating citizens.
Laurie Thompson
Laurie Thompson has been teaching for 17 years and has been an elementary school principal for four of those years. Laurie will bring a number of perspectives to the committee in a number of areas: rural Albertan; Métis Settlements; single parents; as an educator; advocate for special needs children and families; and children and families at risk. Laurie lives on the Kikino Métis Settlement with her 14 year old daughter; she has a B.Ed from the University of Alberta and a Masters of Arts in Leadership degree from Royal Roads University in Victoria.
Janice Sarich, MLA Edmonton-Decore
Janice Sarich was elected to her first term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Decore on March 3, 2008, and also serves as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Education. Prior to her election to the Legislative Assembly, Janice served as the ward 2 school board trustee with Edmonton Catholic School Division from 2001 to 2007. Before entering public service, Janice was president of her own business consulting company. Born and raised in Edmonton, Janice has a Bachelors degree in Physical Education and a Masters of Education degree from the University of Alberta. She also holds project management and project leadership certificates from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT). Janice is married and has two children.
John Tiemstra
John Tiemstra has 24 years of teaching experience in junior and senior high school settings in the Career and Technology Studies (CTS) Department teaching Building Construction and Welding. John holds a Bachelors of Education from the University of Alberta and a Carpentry certificate from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT). John believes that all children must be given equal opportunity to achieve their maximum potential.
