Inspiring Leadership in LRSD

Twelve Livingstone Range School Division teachers just wrapped up a year-long course to develop their leadership potential. With six sessions facilitated by Franklin Covey consultant David George, Superintendent Darryl Seguin, and Associate Superintendent Richard Feller, the Inspiring Leadership course aimed to help teachers and staff expand their knowledge, skills, and contributions as leaders.

“I loved the focus on the deeper side of leadership,” commented one participant. “What does it mean to lead? What are the values we can base our leadership on? What does it really mean to be transformational and visionary as a leader? This is fantastic content.”

Based on Franklin Covey leadership principles and “Leader in Me” philosophies, the Inspiring Leadership course invited participants to share experiences and define their own identity as visionary leaders. The twelve staff members worked collaboratively as they explored communication, leadership principles, and building and maintaining effective relationships as leaders. The group camaraderie was an important part of the experience. As one participant shared, “It felt like a close-knit learning community by the end. The social aspect brought everyone together.”

Superintendent Darryl Seguin sees the alignment of one of Livingstone Range School Division’s core values - leadership - with this development opportunity. “The core value of leadership includes not only enhancing student leadership but fostering staff leadership as well,” says Darryl. “ I’m grateful to this cohort for volunteering to come together over the past year to better understand how everyone in our school division is a leader and can make a positive difference in our schools.”

In order to apply the concepts and practices they were learning, the teachers determined and completed a personalized school-based leadership project. The projects varied depending on the participant context but included things like leading the school’s collaborative response, designing a process for a creation of a school vision, enhancing student leadership in their school, as well as a variety of other initiatives.  Said one participant, “I really enjoyed the hands-on approach to the project and philosophy.”

“The opportunity to meet with the Inspiring Leadership cohort throughout the year was a highlight for me,” says Superintendent Darryl Seguin. “We have great staff within our school division and I looked forward to meeting together and talking about the important and complex role of leaders.”

Developing leadership skills and contributions is what the course is all about. In fact, two participants secured Assistant Principal positions during the period of the Inspiring Leadership Course. “I hope this course helped them have the confidence to explore school administration,” says Darryl.

One course participant added, “I can see my own personal growth and capacity for leadership. I would definitely recommend this course to anyone interested in developing leadership capacity.” 

The Inspiring Leadership course will run again in the future when gathering restrictions are eased. The course is open to all Livingstone Range School Division teachers. For more information or to complete an Expression of Interest form to be considered for enrolment, email lytwynn@lrsd.ab.ca.

*photo taken pre-COVID