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 29
Lenten Message- Holy Week
I remember taking my mother to the movie The Passion of the Christ when it first came out. It was a movie she wanted to see and so we went. As a cradle Catholic, I’ve heard the passion story for as long as I can remember, but when I saw this version play on the big screen, …
Mar 22
Lenten Message- Covering up Jesus
At yesterday’s mass, Fr Salvador reminded us that the body of Jesus on the crucifix is covered. With the fifth week of Lent upon us, it is a reminder of our yearning as Christian people to see Christ again, in all his glory. It is not in the brutality of the crucifixion that we want …
Mar 15
Lenten Reflection- Moments of conversion
Last week at our Division Spiritual Development Day, Ken Yasinski really challenged me! In fact, I was most grateful to have our SALT and Principal Lenten Retreat the following day to be able to take some time and really reflect on his message. One of my earliest thoughts was about how I would have taken Ken’s …
Mar 11
Creating an Entrepreneurial Spirit
In Alberta, Inspiring Education is asking school systems to graduate students who are “Engaged Thinkers,” “Ethical Citizens” with an “Entrepreneurial Spirit.” For most of the public, including educators, graduating students who are ‘engaged’ and ‘ethical’ is easily accepted. However, the term ‘entrepreneurial’ causes alarm bells to sound in the education field, mostly because of its …
Mar 08
Lenten Reflection- Who I am
During our summer meetings, senior administration reviewed the book Pope Francis: Why He Leads the Way He Leads by Chris Lowney. Because of the richness of the book, we decided to go deeper in our review and engage in a monthly discussion, chapter by chapter. I have a good understanding of this book since I presented on …
Mar 01
Lenten Reflection- Sacrifice
We begin the 2nd Sunday of Lent with a reading from the Book of Genesis, where Abraham is ready to sacrifice his only son Issac, the one he loved, as an offering to God. Being a father I cannot imagine offering any of my children up in this way as an offering. Yet God, for …
Mar 01
From the Desk of the Superintendent- March 2015
Here is a photo that caught my attention as it made its way through the “Twittersphere.” I’m hoping that our month of March will look more like Victoria then Moncton here in southern Alberta. Every March, the fine arts comes alive in two of our Lethbridge schools with the annual staging of their musical productions. …
Feb 22
Lenten Reflection- Wild Beasts
In Sunday’s Gospel, (Mark 1:12-15) Mark writes, “…the Spirit drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts;” It is hard for us to imagine living in solitude for 40 days. While there may be times that we appreciate the peace …
Feb 16
Communication 24/7
I’m a strong proponent for effective and ongoing communication between teacher and parent. That communication, properly conducted, should enhance the relationship between the two parties, resulting in a strong bond that positively impacts student learning. Communication should flow easily from both directions in an effort to better inform, eliminate the potential for misunderstanding and build …
Jan 30
From the Desk of the Superintendent- February 2015
It never ceases to amaze me at how quickly the school year passes by, and given the recent weather, it is hard not to believe we are in early spring. However, no illusions here…old man winter will still come back and bite us! I hate to say that January was a busy month because all …