Fostering Effective Relationships

My Master's Project was 'Reframing the Assessment of Safe, Caring and Welcoming Schools'. My paradigm for education is the importance of care in our curriculum. I strive to create relationships with students, parents and staff as I believe it is the primary framework for education. 

Achievement of this competency is demonstrated by indicators such as: 

  1. Acting with fairness, respect and integrity;
  2. Demonstrating empathy and a genuine concern for others;
  3. Creating a welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environment;
  4. Creating opportunities for parents/guardians, as partners in education, to take an active role in their children’s education;
  5. Establishing relationships with First Nations, Métis and Inuit parents/guardians, Elders/knowledge keepers, local leaders and community members;
  6. Demonstrating a commitment to the health and well-being of all teachers, staff and students; 
  7. Acting consistently in the best interests of students;
  8. Engaging in collegial relationships while modeling and promoting open, collaborative dialogue;
  9. Communicating, facilitating and solving problems effectively; and
  10. Implementing processes for improving working relationships and dealing with conflict within the school community.
I believe I have demonstrated achievement of this competency by:
  • treating all of my students, parents, community members and stakeholders fairly on a consistent basis;
  • having lunch with all students throughout the year;
  • attending all field trips (as possible);
  • inviting community members in to recognize and celebrate all events, bringing personal relevance to our students;
  • creating a Remembrance Day Ceremony with student agency, community members and all of our stakeholders;
  • organizing our annual Christmas Concert to share our performance with our community by having it at the Stavely Community Hall;
  • being intentional about seeking first to understand;
  • honouring the many cultures and traditions engrained in Stavely and Stavely School;
  • create Stavely School Year-End Video, annually, which is available to see by request;
  • working to find other ways to promote dialogue with community members other than just PAC meetings and student-led conferences such as attending community events (Christmas fair, Skating Carnival, Pheasant Hunt, library meetings, SEF meetings, hockey games, curling, bingo night etc.);
  • attending community meetings;
  • we established a great relationship with Elder Betty Ann Little Wolf who came to our school bi-weekly (prior to COVID) to be apart of each classroom.
  • fostering effective relationships with neighbouring communities (2 Schools, 2 Books, JTF/WCCHS transition meetings and tours etc.);
  • continue to find ways to communicate with parents and stakeholders including up-to-date website input, Twitter etc;
  • the entire school goes to Senior's Residences to Christmas carol each year in Claresholm and Stavely;
  • collaborating with parents/families through PAC meetings, data walks, Welcome Back Breakfasts, Terry Fox Run, Christmas Concert, Remembrance Day Ceremony, Literacy Day, Valentine's Day Family Dance, Track Meet, Grade 6 Celebration, ski days, sports events, GRIT/Grade 6 parent meetings, IPP/ISP meetings etc.
  • providing wellness PD to staff with Dr. Kendra Massie, Brenda Schlaht (FSL) and forwarding digital resources;
  • ensuring parents/families receive surveys for input through multiple modalities;
  • work seamlessly with supporting agencies for families such as Foothills Inclusion, AHS Mental Health, Therapeutic Riding etc.

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