Saying Good-bye, Hello and Exploring Transitions
Six short years ago, I was
excitedly immersed in the possibilities of opening a new school – Cranston
School – in SE Calgary. It was 2010 and every educational blog, article or
research focus seemed to be shining directly on the ‘new definitions’ and
parameters of 21st century learning.
Since I had teachers joining me as part of the new teaching staff who
had only taught in the 21st century, it seemed a bit of a dated
concept in many ways – but there was no doubt education was beginning to move
in a different direction!
Cranston School has evolved
from an empty space to a vibrant, energetic and thought-provoking centre of
learning in those six intervening years. We have embraced the concepts of 21st
century learning while also acknowledging the tremendous roles personal growth
and development of students play in the world of education – concepts not as
visible on the educational landscape just six short years ago as they are
now. We have also advanced in our
embedded use of technology with students, acknowledging there is high value in
using apps, ipads, blogs and Twitter to organize our new understandings and
discoveries and communicate with the world, both on local and global scales. I
am extremely proud of the work teachers, parents and – most of all – students
have done in our school and the beautiful way student learning has come to mean
knowing how to impact and change the world one child at a time.
This is work accomplished in
the amazing synergy that emerges from like-minded, talented, visionary teachers
and school staff willingly exploring new adventures in learning alongside
eager, excited learners. I have been so amazingly fortunate to work alongside
the most outstanding educators over the past six years – vision will get you so
far, but energy, enthusiasm and talent drives all success and it is in the
company of these giants-disguised-as-educators that Cranston School has
developed, flourished and become a most successful example of public education
in the CBE. I am so grateful for all the support, energy and commitment from
every Cranston stakeholder and for the opportunity to lead this school
community through it’s first six inaugural years!
In just a few short days, I
will be leaving Cranston School as principal and taking up the work of
envisioning and developing another new school, Eric Harvie School in the NW
community of Tuscany, also in the city of Calgary as their first principal. The lessons I have learned from Cranston will
assist me in pulling together the best possible team of educators to work with
the parents and children of Tuscany, and will ensure EHS also evolves to meet
the future with vision, innovation, flexibility and an enduring vitality that
will carry it also confidently into an ever-changing future of learning.
There is no doubt the
promise of a new landscape to shape and create with fresh eyes and endless
enthusiasm is an enticing prospect and I am very much looking forward to the
work JJ Continuing to
advance the strategies and approaches to teaching and learning to best
advantage learners poised and prepared for unknown futures is also extremely
intriguing for me, and I will be exploring how to best meet the needs of
students, as we anticipate the middle of the 21st century, within
this blog, chronicling yet another adventure in education!
It is so challenging for the
heart to move away from a school like Cranston and I am deeply grateful for all
the support, love and kindnesses that have been the hallmark of my time spent
here with Cranston families. Transitions
entice and tweak curiosities as I look forward to a different landscape and say
“Hello!” to new friends in Tuscany, knowing fully the two centres of learning
will always be deeply connected for me.
Lorraine Kinsman, Principal
Cranston School
“If
I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of
Giants."
Isaac Newton
