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George Couros
DIVISION PRINCIPAL

References
Tim Monds
w: 780-963-4010 h: 780-267-5375
Superintendent Parkland School Division (780)963-4010 tmonds@psd70.ab.ca (Superior)

Innovative Teaching and Learning Parkland School Division

Stony Plain, AB Canada gcouros@psd70.ab.ca My Website: My Website: My Website: http://georgecouros.ca http://connectedprincipals.com http://gcouros.com

Kelly Wilkins
Associate Superintendent Parkland School Division (780)963-4010 kdwilkins@psd70.ab.ca

(Superior)

Vision
As we move forward in education, we must ensure that we give students the opportunity to be creative, collaborative, and critical thinkers, while also being able to pursue their passions and interests. As a leader in education, it is essential that I collaborate with all stakeholders to create an environment that is flexible and gives all students the opportunity and support to achieve excellence. We must create an environment where students are proud of their community and culture, valuing the difference of others, while still creating opportunities to partake and succeed in a global environment. As a leader, I must role model and help to build a culture of learning, collaboration, and innovation. Believing that all stakeholders can possess these same qualities, I want to create an environment where we are all leaders.

Cheryl Johnson
Assistant Principal Parkland School Division (780)963-7366 cjohnson@psd70.ab.ca

(Peer)

Mary Lynne Campbell

(Peer) Executive Director/CEO Public School Boards Association (780)465-8022 execdir@public-schools.ab.ca

Presentations
Learning and Leading Conversations at Ravenswood School, Sydney, Australia. (November 2011) Teaching and Learning with Vision Conference Keynote in Gold Coast, Queensland (November 2011) Keynote and workshop facilitator for Lindsey Thurber High School Faculty, Red Deer, Alberta. (September 2011) Digital Citizenship Symposium for Calgary Catholic School Division. (September 2011) Learning 2.011/ The Power of the Network- Cohort Leader working with leaders in the area of technology integration in Shanghai, China. (September 2011) Westminster Faculty Forum - Keynote and Workshops for Westminster faculty in Atlanta, Georgia. (August 2011) Why Schools Should Be Like a Family Restaurant - Online Keynote for the Reform Symposium 2011 (July 2011) Connected Principals ISTE Panel - A member of the panel discussion discussing school administrators moving forward in a new age of school. This presentation was based on the work of the site Connected Principals. (June 2011) Collaborate. Create. Learn. - Keynote and Workshops for iGeneration Atlanta; Trinity School (Thank You Video) June 2011 Conquering the Myths of Social Media - Kamloops Professional Development Day (May 2011) Conquering the Myths of Social Media - Keynote for the Spring Digital Learning Conference, Vancouver (April 2011) The Networked Educational Leader (Alberta Administrator Cohort) - March 2011 How do we get more principals connected? Presentation at Educon 2.3 (Philadelphia, January 2011) Connecting and Sharing: Building Learning Communities Using Web 2.0 (January 2011) Unintended Benefits: Using Social Media to Build Relationships in Schools - St. Albert Protestant School Division Lead Team (January 2011) Alberta Technology Leaders in Education- Pre-Conference Keynote (November 2010) Parents as Partners - Successful planning of Education Plan working with parent leaders (November 2010) Using Social Media for Transformative Teaching & Learning - ERLC (November 2010)

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View My VisualCV Online: http://www.visualcv.com/j2hqd09 2010 Reform Symposium: Keynote Identity Day: Revealing the Passions of Our Students (August 2010) NYSCATE 2010 Leadership Summit You Have Leaders On Your Staff; Use Them! (July 2010) Defining Personal Learning Enviroments Post and Presentation (Barcelona, July 2010) University of Regina Presentation: Leadership and Moving into the Field of Education (April 2010) Forest Green School Parent Advisory Council: Benefits of Web 2.0 and Cyberbullying (January 2010)

Work History
Parkland School Division
Stony Plain, AB, Canada Jul 2011 - Present

Division Principal of Innovative Teaching and Learning

Work with all levels of leadership to help creative innovative learning environments within schools. This includes, but is not limited to, working with Senior Executive, School Based Leadership, Educational staff, and students. Oversee the Information Technology Department which provides services for all of Parkland School Division (approximately 10,000 students). Creator and leader of the "Learning Leader" project, currently working with 60 educators on using cloud computing, personal learning networks, and mobile devices to bring innovation to their classroom while also leveraging social media. Facilitating initiatives such as the 184 project, and division portfolio and blogging project. Administrator of Google Apps for Education for the division. Co-facilitator of the Great Leaders, Great Teams, Great Results leadership training for Parkland School Division, based on the work of Stephen Covey. This is an ongoing role with the school division. A co-facilitator for PSD in the area of assessment and member of the Alberta Assessment Consortium. Facilitated professional learning opportunities for PSD teachers in the area of technology integration, with an emphasis on effective use of social media to help build professional learning networks.

Forest Green School/Connections for Learning (K-12)

Stony Plain, AB, Canada Aug 2009 - Present

Principal
Worked to develop strong relationships with students, staff, and parents through a belief in, and focus on, open communication. Created the Forest Green School Website, Forest Green Blog, along with editing and creating both the Forest Green and Connections for Learning Newsletters. Fostered partnerships with the School Council and helped them communicate their school involvement through the use of the school website, along with presenting Cyberbullying and Web 2.0 Technologies, as a way of informing them of emerging trends in education. Shared information with parents and staff regarding school initiatives that are based on current and future school community needs through open communication. Communication included monthly newsletters and conversational media through the Forest Green School Blog. Collaborated with staff to create extended learning experiences in the area of sports (team and intramurals) and the fine arts. It is essential that students have an opportunity to succeed in areas outside of the core curriculum. Authored a blog/portfolio site to understand the benefits and implications of this type of learning for our students and staff. Through this transition, several of our staff have started their own personal blog sites, while every teacher hosts a classroom blog. Designed a Professional Development program that builds upon the strengths of our staff. This program has been highly successful within our school and has our staff very

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View My VisualCV Online: http://www.visualcv.com/j2hqd09 engaged in their learning. The time for guided conversation has been extremely valuable to ensure that our practice has become transformational for students. Developed in collobaration with the Forest Green School community, a school council after several years of not having one within the school. This has been an important element of creating a positive and collaborative school culture. Partnered with parents and staff to help create the 2010-2011 Education Plan. This was a fantastic opportunity for our school to build upon the vision together. Focused on the priority that Every child is a leader, as defined by Stephen Coveys, The Leader in Me book and developed ample opportunities for our students to be school leaders. Administered division programs such as the Early Years Alternative Program (EYALT) as well as Balanced Literacy. These are programs that are used by all of Parkland School Division, yet are run from Forest Green School. Used our school budget to ensure a safe environment and support learning initiatives within our school. Worked with all schools to ensure successful placements for several students with the Connections for Learning program. Facilitated the successful transition of Parkland School Divisions Stony Creek Program from Muir Lake to Forest Green School. This work with the parent and staff community, along with a transition team led by an outside facilitator, ensure the program continued to prosper. Teamed with the Paul Band First Nation community to ensure students from the area have continued success at Forest Green School. We have also ensured that we have continuously infused FNMI culture into our school sites through our work with Paul Band and our FNMI Liaison.

Muir Lake Community School (K-9)

Stony Plain, AB, Canada Aug 2007 - Jun 2009

Assistant Principal
Worked with all staff at MLCS and promoted an open dialogue to continuously improve our school to best serve students. Modeled and encouraged hard work, risk taking, and commitment to division and school goals. Worked diligently with the staff and principal to implement and promote a model of shared leadership within the school. Lead administrator for the Stony Creek Program and worked intensively to facilitate a move to a new building within Parkland School Division. Led a transition team to help build and maintain the best program for the students of the Stony Creek program. Facilitated the MLCS Student Council which has a main focus on building relationships within the school community through its activities. Organized a grade 7-9 fine arts trip to New York that included parents, staff, and students traveling together. Worked with all school stakeholders to help develop the MLCS Education plan for 2009-2011. Lead facilitator and AISI coordinator in the area of technology integration. This led to the development of an in-school professional development plan that was very successful in the area of technology integration. Implemented an effective model of teacher supervision for MLCS. Trained and supported teachers as technology leads in both the early years and middle years settings. Developed and coordinated scheduling for all teachers from K-9, ensuring that course delivery was aligned with the Alberta Education framework. Collaborated with all stakeholders to develop an Options program that best meets the needs of students, while educating them on emerging trends in the future. Developed with the School Council chair a proposal to successfully secure funds for emerging technologies at Muir Lake School.

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Greystone Centennial Middle School (5-9)

Spruce Grove, AB, Canada Aug 2006 - Jun 2007

Technology Integration Coordinator

Collaborated with teachers to successfully integrate technology into core curriculum while developing their own learning in the area of using technology to enhance learning. Worked with students from grade levels 5-9 to successfully implement an advisement program that looked at various societal needs and how they intersect with fostering a positive school environment. Created a technology integration schedule to ensure all students had an opportunity to meet ICT outcomes. Worked successfully in a team teaching environment teaching all core grade 7 subjects. Developed and delivered complementary courses based on student needs and Web 2.0 technologies. Worked with the GCMS School Council to share information with all stakeholders. Instituted several short in-services for staff development dealing with different aspects of technology integration. Delivered an informational session to parents on how to teach students to connect safely with others using the Internet.

Rimbey Junior/Senior High School

Rimbey, AB, Canada Sep 2001 - Jun 2006

Teacher/Technology Integration Coordinator

Technology Integration Coordinator for the school. Worked with teachers to successfully implement technology in all courses from grade 7-12. AISI Lead from 2004-2006 in the area of technology integration. Team member of the Telus2Learn team for Wolf Creek Schools. Provided many workshops for staff from all schools within Wolf Creek. Information Processing teacher. Taught courses from grade 7-9 in Mathematics and CTS.

Sidney Street School

Maple Creek, SK, Canada Sep 1999 - Jun 2001

Teacher/Technology Lead
Taught grade 4 and 7 for my two years at Sidney Street School. Technology Lead for the school, working with staff and students to successfully integrate technology into the classroom. Provided inservicing on the use of technology for educators in Maple Creek and the surrounding region.

Education
University of Phoenix
Saskatoon, SK, Canada Sep 2005 - Apr 2007

Master of Education, Curriculum and Instruction

University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK, Canada Sep 1999 - Apr 2001

Bachelor of Science, History/English

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University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK, Canada Sep 1993 - Apr 1999

Bachelor of Education, Elementary Education

Projects
Connected Principals (Creator/Contributor) Connected Principals Quick Thoughts (Creator/Contributor) Forest Green School WPMU Portfolio Site (Creator/Contributor) Examples of Student Innovation (Creator/Contributor) Bam Radio Network Commentator

Skills and Attributes

Have worked in education for 12+ years with students and staff from K-12. Hard worker and committed to achieving goals. Proven skills in building relationships, leading others, and developing leadership capacity. Tremendous knowledge in the area of technology integration. I have developed many tutorials for schools and school districts i within education, and have enjoyed working with many different teachers in helping them gain knowledge in implementing technology into their own classrooms. Leader in the area of effective assessment practices as well as the implementation of eportfolios.

Quote from a parent advocate

...our school principal, George Couros, has such an amazing vision for our school, I am positive that my children will get far more out of their education than I did. They will be engaged in their education, and they will be free to express themselves... they will be creative and know how to collaborate and work as a team. They are being taught to be critical thinkers that make great decisions. Isnt that what we want for our children, who will one day be leaders in their communities? Let's ensure that they have any tool necessary to help them succeed in life.

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