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
Oct 27
Teacher Leaders: Begin with Mission, Vision and Values
This past week we began our leadership development program. It is a program that we offer every two years in the division and is open to our teachers. The significance of the program is twofold. First, with an aging administrative population (in which I am one) and minimal movement from outside the division, it is …
Oct 24
From the Desk of the Superintendent- Off-Campus Education
The folowing article was published in the Lethbridge Herald on October 23, 2013 At one time there was truth in the saying, “Work hard and you will find a good job!” However, in today’s world, working hard, although a desirable skill, does not ensure our students a good job and a self-sufficient future. Today, schools …
Oct 20
Why George Couros?
Last week our school division had the pleasure bringing in George Couros @gcouros as our keynote for our annual division wide professional development day. Now before you write off the experience because it appears to be another sit and get event, let me explain that George was our keynote and provided a number of breakout sessions as …
Oct 14
From the Desk of the Superintendent- International Students
This year, Holy Spirit Catholic Schools has become active in the recruitment of international students. Last June, I travelled to Bogota, Colombia to initiate partnerships to bring in international students for short-term stays. The excursion was a great success as we have already received four students from a private Catholic school and are expecting an additional …
Oct 12
But I don’t have all the answers!
“But I don’t have all of the answers!” is probably something that you don’t want to hear from your leader or your child’s teacher. Or is it? I just finished reading David Culberhouse’s latest blog post, “Embracing the Unknown.” It reminded me that we as leaders can’t know everything and don’t have all the answers. …
Oct 02
From the Desk of the Superintendent- October 2013
The first month of the school year has come and gone…in a flash. The start of our new three-year faith plan, new administrators in buildings, a number of new staff and an increase in student population of 1.75% from last year has certainly caused some excitement. Speaking of new staff, last night I attended our …
Sep 29
Lifelong learning…
During your career, have you ever heard the statement, “Lifelong learning is not important!”. Agreement with that statement would be almost like attacking “motherhood and apple pie”! It is unfathomable for educators to disagree with lifelong learning since our basic concept as educators is to always be on a learning track. I don’t have time to learn is a mockery and inconsistent with …
Sep 22
Is being connected an option?
This past weekend I had the pleasure of teaching my first graduate level course for Gonzaga University. The course focuses on leadership and school improvement. It is an especially pertinent topic as we continue to challenge our current model of education. The way we’ve always done things in our schools may be most comfortable for the …
Sep 15
If you want to change…
If you want to change you have to be willing to be uncomfortable! Now there’s a statement for leadership! There’s a statement for challenging the status quo! And finally, there’s a statement that must be part of our education vernacular, everyday and all the time! It is pretty easy to sit and watch the race …
Sep 07
Taking our seat at the table!
This year, at our opening celebration and Spiritual Development Day, staff had the pleasure of listening to our keynote speaker, Mr. David Wells address our three year faith plan theme, “Taking Our Place at the Table!” The development of our faith plan is a grassroots endeavour co-created by interested staff members throughout the division. It …