The superintendent who takes her direction from the Foothills School Division board of trustees, is now helping set the direction on a national scale.
Foothills superintendent of schools Denise Rose was named to the Canadian Education Association (CEA) last week.
“The CEA is an organization that promotes research and leadership,” Rose said. “What I like about being on the board is it gives me an opportunity to remain current about what are the trends towards education.
“I’m able to converse with other colleagues and other educators as well as researchers about what they are finding and to bring a practical application to those findings.”
Rose always proudly represents the Foothills division, however, she will represent Alberta students and schools when she sits at the CEA board table.
“I will bring the Alberta perspective,” Rose said. “(Things like) what is happening in Alberta in our curriculum design or what’s happening in Alberta considering high school completion rates, things that are happening in our educational world.”
She’s first and foremost an educator, which means Rose aims to help others learn, especially staff and students in the foothills.
“Having a relationship with the CEA means I am current,” she said. “I can use that to further Foothills School Division.”
She said, for example, it was the CEA that started the “What Did You Do in School Today?” pilot program, which the Foothills School Division used. That pilot project will now be used at all Foothills schools.
The program looks at the students’ sense of belonging at schools as well as designing intellectually engaging work for students.
Foothills School Division board chairwoman Diana Froc said she was pleased to hear Rose was named to the CEA board.
“Anything that our people do to learn and participate in a bigger setting is great,” Froc said. “It’s great for her and great for us.”
Rose replaced former Foothills superintendent of schools Jim McLellan who retired earlier this year.
To learn more about the CEA go to www.cea-ace.ca
