A Thoughtful Moment: Innovation through Creativity Curiosity and Humility

Progressing the equity of opportunity for all students is an important consideration in advancing innovation. 

Innovation does not mean spending money new technology or programs — it more often means new ways of thinking and doing. It means improving or changing the way we do things at Foothills School Division, because continuing to do something because that is the way it has always been done is simply not good enough. 

Continuous improvement guides our work, as does a foundational responsibility to provide optimum teaching and learning for the students and families we serve. We are also committed to research based and data driven approaches to changes and innovations.  

At Foothills School Division, creativity, curiosity and humility are the foundation for innovative practice. Inherent to this is the need for colleagues across the system to feel safe in their explorations of new or enhanced practices. In sort, we continue to enhance the conditions for innovation to flourish is an ongoing commitment. 

It is all about trust, and positive professional relationships. Informed by our Education Plan and budget decisions.

In an era of an increased scarcity of resources and heightened complexity and uncertainty in the larger society, it is more important than ever to find new ways to advance our work.

From repurposing our spaces for new uses, approaching timetabling from a fresh lens, or leveraging emerging technology with home grown solutions, we are moving in these directions to enhance our learning environments and improve learner engagement, support and success.

Student and staff safety are the priority within this work. Progressing the equity of opportunity for all students is an important consideration in advancing innovation. 

Universal Design for Learning, education jargon for intentionally planning interventions, design for learning, or classroom and school set up and timetabling to benefit all students, underpins our next steps. 

Innovation is important work. It is so engrained into our system, that it is often overlooked—we have expertly woven it into how we operate to provide ongoing opportunities for optimum teaching and learning at FSD. When we look back, we see how innovative practices are everywhere.

I invite you to ask your student’s teacher, vice principal, or principal how innovation happens at their school. You will be amazed.

Yours in learning, 

Chris Fuzessy, PhD

Superintendent of Schools