“I will miss the classroom. I’m grateful that I was able to stay a teacher even in my role as Principal, because I really do love the interactions that happen in those four walls.” - Tom Christensen. (Supplied)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

Tom Christensen

Roy E. Cope Award presented to retiring École Olds High Principal

May 12, 2022 | 3:11 PM

The Board of Trustees for Chinook’s Edge School Division have announced this year’s recipient of the Roy E. Cope award.

This year, the award is going to retiring École Olds High Principal, Tom Christensen. District officials say the award is an honour considered each year by the Board for a person who has made significant contributions to the welfare of students.

As a Master Teacher, district officials say Christensen has placed students at the centre of all his efforts. His strength is said to have led to several acknowledgments and awards, including the Alberta Education Excellence in Teaching Award.

Throughout the years, Christensen has lent his leadership skills to guide many innovative practices at Olds High – from being a High School Re-Design pioneer and an early adopter of Gay-Straight Alliance efforts, to ensuring the school’s place of pride as an internationally recognized UNESCO-Associated School.

Olds High has hosted several large provincial and national student leadership conferences, and Christensen has personally provided over 500 hours each year through his extra work, say district officials. Christensen has also set a warm and welcoming tone with parents, community, government and media, officials point out.

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Christensen has also been called on to deliver a high level of collaboration with external partners in the creation and ongoing programming of the Community Learning Campus (CLC) – described as a joint venture between Olds College and Chinook’s Edge School Division.

“A highlight for me was working on the CLC and seeing how the community rallied, and continues to rally, around the school and this important partnership,” said Christensen. “I attended over 600 meetings in the planning of the CLC but it never seemed like a burden, because we knew it would have big implications for the future of Olds, Mountain View County and Chinook’s Edge.”

“My favourite part of my role, though, has been without question being able to work with multiple generations of families in Olds,” he continued. “Olds is like family to me, because I have been able to work with so many people from the same family. I’ve seen so many amazing things that Olds High graduates go on to accomplish in the community and beyond.”

“I am very honoured to receive the award, because I know what Roy Cope did for Red Deer County and I’m humbled to be in the same category as the other recipients, shared Christensen. “ It means a lot to me that the Board and my peers at Division Office would consider me for this award.”