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 21^st century learning.  Since I had teachers joining me as part of the new teaching staff who had only taught in the 21^st 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 21^st 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 21^st 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