Rocky View Schools (RVS) believes that all of their staff has a responsibility to engage in life-long learning and 29 staff members showed how they've taken up that challenge when they were recognized at the RVS Board Meeting this week for their post-graduate achievements.  

Teachers, administrators, learning assistants, accountants, and transportation staff from the RVS Learning Centre in Airdrie and schools in Airdrie Crossfield, Cochrane, Chestermere, and Springbank were recognized for achieving everything from certificates through to Masters Degrees.

The online ceremony included RVS Superintendent Greg Luterbach reading something about each learner that was written by their Principal or some other person in their department who knew them well.

Learning Assistant and Distance Learning Coordinator at W.G. Murdoch School in Crossfield Jacalyn Vang received a Bachelor of Education Degree from the University of Calgary.  Luterbach read what the principal of the school Derek Keenan had to say about her.

"Jackie's dedication to student learning is evident in everything she does in her school.  Her support of students is excellent and has led her to pursue her Bachelor of Education in order to 'dive-deeper' into the learning process with students."

George McDougall High School teacher Shyla Locke earned her Master of Education, Leadership, Leading for Learners.  She was a part of the Rocky View Schools/Calgary Board of Education learning cohort through the University of Calgary. 

"Shyla has been honing her leadership skills as a French Immersion learning lead, helping set direction for improving instructional and assessment practices in our schools," Luterbach read on behalf of George Mac principal Laurie Johnston.  "She is a member of RVS' ALP program (Administrative Leadership Program) and is aspiring to be a formal leader in RVS."

Sandra Popovich became one of the first people in Alberta to be designated a Certified Transportation Safety Professional by the Alberta Motor Transport Association.  Popovich is the Transportation Safety Coordinator at the RVS Education Centre.  Director of Transportation Audrey Bloxham wrote about Popowich achieving the designation as well as some of the attributes that she brings to her work in the division.

"Sandra's Certified Transportation Safety Professional designation is new in Alberta," read Luterbach.  "She is one of the first people to complete the dozen or so courses needed to attain this designation.  Sandra works tirelessly and with great enthusiasm to make school bus services for students in RVS safe.  She is part of the RVS route-planning team and reviews all bus routes through her safety lens."

Trustee Judy Hunter spoke for the entire board when she said to all the post-graduates, "I just can't thank you enough on behalf of the board of trustees, and also students and parents because of your commitment to learning and education wherever you are in the organization.  Across the board, all the different departments, have people that are stepping up and reaching out and adding to this great organization."

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