(RDPSD)

By rdnewsNOW staff

Enhancing Leadership Skills

Aspiring Leaders sessions continue for Red Deer Public staff

Mar 9, 2023 | 1:16 PM

With a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, the third Red Deer Public Schools’ Aspiring Leaders session last week engaged staff in sharing circles where participants shared their thoughts, experiences and reflections on a variety of discussion starters focussed on inclusive environments and embracing diversity in schools and workplaces.

According to district officials, nearly 80 Red Deer Public staff including administrators, trustees, teachers, support staff, education assistants, community liaison workers, caretakers, and facilities staff attended the session on March 1.

The session began with a teaching by Terry Lakey, Red Deer Public’s Learning Services Coordinator with the Division’s First Nations, Metis and Inuit team, who detailed the importance of a circle as a metaphor for inclusion and equity from an Indigenous perspective.

Associate Superintendent, Human Resources Corrine Thorsteinson, said leading inclusive environments and embracing diversity in the organization is an important skill for leaders in the Division, no matter their position or role in Red Deer Public.

“The sharing circle was a powerful opportunity for participants to experience our content and to share their thoughts and commentary to the discussion questions in a way that felt equitable,” she said. “Diversity, equity and inclusion is a complex, dynamic topic and while we merely scratched the surface on it this evening, it was truly outstanding to observe our participants’ engagement in this vital leadership discussion.”

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Red Deer Public officials say more Aspiring Leaders sessions will take place throughout the rest of the school year.

“We encourage staff, who haven’t already registered, to consider signing up for any of our sessions through the remainder of this school year,” said Corrine. “These sessions are a perfect opportunity for any Red Deer Public employee who wants to explore whether a formal leadership position is right for them; wants to build or enhance their leadership toolkit; wants to lead where they are at; or wants an opportunity to learn from and engage with other colleagues interested in leadership.”