Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools: A Model of Strengths-Based Education and Engagement
Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools in Alberta, Canada, has been making waves in the education world with their innovative approach to student and staff engagement. The division recently won the prestigious 2020 Don Clifton Strengths for Students Award and was recognized as a 2020 Gallup Exceptional Workplace for the fourth year in a row.
The school system’s success can be attributed to their focus on strengths-based education, which has been at the core of their work for over a decade. Former Superintendent David Keohane and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Rhonda Nixon spearheaded the initiative, working collaboratively with their team to develop a framework that prioritizes employee fit, engagement, and development.
Every employee at Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools takes the CliftonStrengths assessment, which helps identify their top talents and allows them to apply their strengths to their work and personal lives. Students also participate in strengths assessments, using tools like Clifton StrengthsExplorer and the CliftonStrengths assessment to discover their strengths and talents.
The division has seen tangible results from their strengths-based approach, with teachers and staff reporting increased engagement and satisfaction in their work. Students have also benefited from the program, participating in activities like health champions to celebrate their strengths and educate others about the importance of leveraging strengths in all areas of life.
One of the most impactful initiatives at Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools is the Building Communities of Hope leadership course, which aims to create hope and wellbeing within students. By leveraging strengths and wellbeing strategies, the division has been able to support students in transitioning to new stages of their education with confidence and resilience.
Overall, Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools’ success can be attributed to their commitment to employee and student engagement, as well as their focus on building strong communities of hope. Their innovative approach to education serves as a model for other institutions looking to create a positive and empowering learning environment for students and staff alike.