Farewell
to Mr. Stephenson
CSS will be losing one of its teachers in January to the temperate climate and bustling environment of Vancouver, BC. Mr. Stephenson has been with the Calgary Science School since August of 2004. He started out as a member of the teaching staff at grade 6 and 7, but has most recently been doing a fantastic job in the Professional Development and Collaboration Coordinator position. In that role, Mr. Stephenson has really helped to put CSS on a provincial stage where we are consistently recognized for the great teaching, innovative practices, and a focus on professional collaboration. Mr. Stephenson started the Connect! blog, which has been a critical
means of sharing our teaching practices with the wider educational community. We know that the blog is followed by people within the department of education, by faculty members in Alberta Universities, and by a significant number of teachers and educational leaders from around the world. Mr. Stephenson has been instrumental in our ability as a school to meet the obligation we have under our charter to be innovative and to reach out to a greater audience to learn from and share with.
primary responsibilities has been to work very closely with teachers to assist in the planning and implementation of inquiry-based teaching. His creativity and depth of understanding of how technology can be used to deepen thinking has been an invaluable contribution to the practice of all of our teachers. Every student in the school has benefited from Mr. Stephenson’s work with the rest of the teaching staff. He truly is an exemplary teacher and I wish him all the best as he takes on the challenges of being a District Mr. Stephenson’s role has Principal of Innovation and always been a little difficult Inquiry for 32 schools within to describe to people, as a the Delta school district. similar position does not exist anywhere else, as far Darrell Lonsberry, as I am aware. One of his Principal
Farewell to our
Student Teachers
Student teachers – Congratulations on the successful completion of your final student teaching practicum experience. We have enjoyed having you in our school and have greatly appreciated your enthusiasm, dedication and keen desire to benefit fully from this learning experience as you prepare to become members of the teaching profession. We commend you for the extra time you spent in the school beyond what is normally expected of student teachers and your involvement
in a variety of school professional development activities and extracurricular activities. Although the emphasis of the student teaching experience has been on developing your professional knowledge, skills and attributes, you have also made a significant contribution through sharing your special talents and demonstrating innovative teaching practices. During the period of your student teaching experience in our school you have demonstrated an understanding of the 16
www.calgaryscienceschool.com
dimensions of exemplary teaching which serve as a framework for the Calgary Science School. Congratulations on a very successful teaching experience and we wish you all the best as you complete the requirements to become a professional teacher. We hope that you will consider any opportunities that arise to return to the Calgary Science School as a member of the teaching staff. Garry McKinnon, Superintendent 11