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
Jan 26
Discomfort
“The road to comfort is crowded and it rarely gets you there. Ironically, it’s those who seek out discomfort that are able to make a difference and find their footing. Discomfort brings engagement and change. Discomfort means you’re doing something that others are unlikely to do because they’re busy hiding out in the comfortable zone.” …
Jan 15
Lethcamp is coming
The following article was published in Lethbridge Herald on January 15th. Teachers have always engaged in professional development. The opportunity to learn, hone one’s skills and improve instructional practice is, and will always be, a professional requirement. In the past, school divisions have held professional development days and teachers have attended conferences to satisfy this …
Jan 13
From the Desk of the Superintendent- January 13, 2014
Happy New Year to one and all! It is hard to believe that we have already been back a week and soon will be coming to the end of the quarter or semester and the midpoint of the year. Teachers and students are busy preparing for final exams and completing final projects. I want to wish everyone …
Jan 12
No more lone wolf!
Last week in my blog, I wrote about the importance of continuous improvement in educational circles. Framed through the lens of a professional, seeking to improve on an ongoing basis is simply non-negotiable. Our practice must always be on an evolutionary track. The impact on student learning and our desire to be a learner must always …
Jan 04
Continuous improvement is not a New Year’s resolution
I’ve made my feelings known about New Year’s resolutions before. To put it politely, I’m not a big fan. It is not that I’m against kicking a bad habit, getting in better shape or making a positive lifestyle change. All of those life adjustments are positive but my complaint, is that one must seemingly wait …
Dec 15
Christmas Message 2013
On my way to work this morning I went to the Tim Horton’s drive thru for my large black ritual and was told that the person ahead of me had bought me my coffee. This was the second occurrence this past week of having a coffee bought for me from a complete stranger and so, as I …
Dec 08
Open our doors
A colleague of mine relayed to me that the Calgary Science School had hosted nearly 1500 visitors to their school this past year. This charter school, has a population of 600 students from grades 4-9 and is a model of both the science of teaching and inquiry based learning. But 1500 visitors…can you imagine opening …
Dec 01
Learner vs. Learned
“In times of change learners inherit the earth; while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.” Eric Hoffer Doctors are certainly viewed as learned. They possess an incredible amount of knowledge and their practice is unique. Their medical degree certainly suggests that they are learned. But …
Nov 28
Developing the Young Brain
During the last couple of months, I’ve been fortunate to be involved in some community facilitated conversations that have centered on the importance of early learning and care. Traditional thinking has a tendency to believe that early learning begins in kindergarten, or maybe a year or two earlier. Although that may be true for what …
Nov 24
From the Desk of the Superintendent- November 24, 2013
Well it is Grey Cup day and if the result is best for our neighbours to the east of us, there could be a provincial holiday called tomorrow. Although my Eskimos are not there, I will be certainly cheering green later today! Go Riders Go! This past week, I’ve had a number of opportunities to discuss …