After nearly a 35 year career in education, I retired as the Superintendent of Schools in January 2020. While in the role as superintendent, I sat on two national committees, ERDI and C21 and also was an adjunct professor for Gonzaga University. I now work as a leadership consultant supporting the work of school boards, system and school leaders.
Chris Smeaton
Author's posts
Mar 16
Growth Plans: From compliance to commitment
Back in 2015, Alberta Education, through a very collaborative process, established a policy on Teacher Growth, Supervision and Evaluation. It was very forward thinking by eliminating cyclical teacher evaluations and replacing those evaluations with a focus on growth. It is not that all evaluations were unnecessary (there are still four reasons to initiate an evaluation) …
Feb 25
Indigenous Languages
Last week, I had the honour of addressing the staff and Board of Directors of Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council Education Authority at their second annual convention. One of the key points in my presentation was that the Cree language must be the first priority of the Education Authority. Part of their mission statement …
Feb 19
Taking care of the adults!
Over the past decade, we’ve made some great strides in uncovering and bringing to light the issue of mental health and well being. It is becoming increasingly okay to openly admit mental health struggles faced not only by children but adults alike. We are not there yet, but at least we are beginning to address …
Jan 20
Continuing the learning!
Last week, I wrote a blog post entitled “Always be a learner!” It referenced some of my own learning, especially as a young administrator, but also talked about the importance of organization learning. I want to remain with the theme of personal learning but specifically look at (1) Learning from anyone and (2) The discomfort …
Jan 13
Always be a learner!
I started my administration career back in 1991. I was 29 years old, had just completed my master’s degree and I was brash as hell. I moved from a strictly high school setting to a K-12 environment and from a middle to upper class socially economic school to a community facing significant poverty issues. Success …
Jan 06
You can’t be a jerk!
The other day in an interview I was giving, I was asked to give someone just going into leadership a piece of wisdom. While effective leadership can never be boiled down to one or two traits, there are certainly some non-negotiables. Fostering effective relationships with your staff is one of those non-negotiables. A person may …
Jan 01
Some hopes for 2024!
It is interesting that once you get out of a habit, it is hard to get back into it. Such is with my writing! When I was a superintendent, Sunday was an essential workday for me and that was when I typically wrote my blog posts. Now retired, or semi retired as some would say, …
Jul 30
And/Both not Either/Or
Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve written a couple of blog posts that to many may sound contradictory: Kindness in Leadership and Fearless Leadership. The fact is great leaders should be both kind and fearless. They are not opposites and realistically compliment each other well. Empathy is a trait of the kind and fearless …
Jul 23
Fearless Leadership
Canada has one of the best education systems in the world. This is especially true when you consider that the majority of students are educated in public schools, the vast diversity within our classrooms and the highly inclusive environment we continually cultivate. Most countries marvel at the results we consistently get year in and year …
Jul 17
Kindness in leadership
Earlier this year, I attended the Central Alberta Teachers’ Convention on behalf of Nelson. I was pleasantly surprised when one of my former teachers, Laurie McIntosh (@lauriesmcintosh) stopped by the booth to say hello. I was then humbled when I dropped by her sessions, and she kindly recognized and affirmed me in for my actions …