Welcome to my Learning Leadership Portfolio.
I am a Canadian educator who has served in learning communities since 1996, dividing time between the provinces of Manitoba and Alberta. In my viewpoint, problems are seen as challenges and we move together to find solutions. I am a doer.
As a classroom teacher, I sought innovative ways to have students acquire knowledge and skills while making learning meaningful in their individual lives. My overall outcomes for students were twofold: increasing their academic achievement and providing experiences to enable personal success.
I came to a point when I felt that my circle of influence on student success could expand and pursued a Master’s in Educational Leadership. I was a pilot cohort member of a program that filtered theory through the realities and data of our individual school sites. That learning was powerful and appropriately prepared me to start my journey as an administrator.
After graduation in 2006, I quickly learned that my formal leadership focus is to create hope for each and every learner, no matter what their journey in life or in education. I have been blessed with a variety of opportunities to enrich my leadership learning and to master supporting all learners to achieve.
In 2006-2008, I was a VP in a large high school in a city in Northern Manitoba; there were many challenges with the most critical being the facilitating of higher graduation rates. The personal learning there was formidable; I would never exchange that experience for the world.In 2008, I returned to Alberta to assume leadership positions in the Calgary area.
These include being a VP at a large high school that specialized in Fine Arts; then, I was privileged to return to my original Alberta school division. During this time period, I also became a Certified School Provider for Dr. Ross Greene’s Collaborative and Proactive Solutions model. Student voice has always been at the centre of my practice to inform analysis of learning needs and school culture, while receiving valued input on strategies forward.
My first Principalship was at the largest urban high school in the division, at the time. Our practices put us as a front runner in Phase 3 of Alberta High School Redesign. A particular area of pride was the Advisory system we implemented, where students were with the same peer group and teachers over their high school career. With a formalized curriculum, we supported the whole student to be successful in all areas of learning and in life.
I also designed and led a large social equity project in that school, when working with an Indigenous scholar who led professional learning to apply Indigenous practices. Now returning as Principal at a previous school site, I continue to lead innovation in assessment and inclusion. We are currently working on a revision of our own social justice project, including Decolonization and Indigenization.
Through collaboration in all these placements and experiences, I have been empowered to learn from intelligent and committed individuals. I am encouraged to find that my ideas, vision, and mission are reinforced by my current research as a Doctoral Student. Critical pedagogy and social justice have always been a part of my professional practice; they are now at the centre of my graduate studies.
My biggest teaching occurs every day when interacting with students, staff, parents, and our community. In that context, the learning continues…
Cheers, LJ
Leadership and Learning Philosophy: http://www.learningempowers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/leading-and-learning-philosophy-2020.pdf