Michael Ross
Calgary
Summary
I am an educator and learner who believes in shared leadership, possessing a strong commitment to the development of staff in a safe and predictable environment for the benefit of all students. I am a dynamic and supportive leader and effective team builder with a proven track record of collaborating with the school community, including all stakeholders, building the capacity of all individuals. I believe that all students can learn and that all students have the right to be engaged in their learning. The role of the teacher is to inspire that learning and help to open doors to the future and opportunity while building competencies that will be of great value in our rapidly shifting world. I believe that true growth as an educational organisation evolves best in an environment of trust and collaboration and that student outcomes thrive best in an environment where staff feel safe to take risks, voice opinions, care for students, and clearly understand and support the mission, vision, goals, and direction of the organisation.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Principal
Fairview School, CBE
08.2023 - Current
- Led development and implementation of school-wide initiatives to enhance student engagement and academic performance.
- Collaborated with teachers to design and deliver effective professional development workshops, fostering instructional improvement.
- Mentored staff on best practices in classroom management, promoting consistency across grade levels.
- Analyzed student performance data to identify areas for improvement and implement targeted intervention strategies.
Senior School Assistant Principal
Calgary Academy
01.2018 - Current
- Overseeing the social, emotional, academic, and holistic development of 300 students and 43 staff members within school operations and leadership.
- Collaboration with learning teams, families and teachers around student discipline, mental health and academic success.
- Responsible for creating, implementing and tacking budget for Senior School.
- Student-Centred Decision Making: as a major focus of our organisation, I work hard to be a visible leader to support the work of our staff for the benefit of our students. In making decisions we start with the child at the centre and ensure the needs of the child are considered first and foremost.
- Growth, Supervision, and Evaluation: provided yearly staff evaluations for teachers. Supported staff not only in the creation and completion of yearly goals, but also in ensuring their understanding and utilization of the TQS to help them reach the highest professional standards.
- Policy and Procedure: contributed to the creation of a suite of policies and procedures that guide the workings of the organisation.
- Compliance: work directly with Alberta Education field services to ensure the school is meeting expectations while following the guidelines of the Education Act. This includes focusing on meeting the needs of our students with learning challenges, as the school receives additional funding.
- Leadership Development: supporting the growth of leadership in the school through active involvement with my direct reports supporting their leadership goals, working with People and Culture (HR) to build processes around leadership development, and assisting with our Emerging Leaders program.
Teacher
Calgary Academy
01.2010 - 01.2018
- High school Social Studies and English teacher for Grades 9 to 11. Held roles of Pod Lead, HR Committee Coordinator and a member of many smaller committees.
Teacher
Abu Dhabi Grammar School
01.2008 - 01.2010
- Taught Grades 9-12 High School English. This was a school that used the Nova Scotia Curriculum. Almost all students were ELL, and had to adapt to their individual needs within the school curriculum.
Education
Master’s of Education - Educational Leadership and Administration
Gonzaga University
08.2024
Bachelor of Education - secondary humanities
University of New Brunswick
04.2011
Bachelor of Arts Degree - Economics, Political Science
St. Francis Xavier University
04.1998
Skills
- Shared and distributed leadership
- Coaching and problem solving
- Building community
- Innovation focused
- Building trust
- Adaptable
- Collaboration
- Data-driven instruction
- School improvement
Certification
- Respect in the Workplace
- Red Cross First Aid “C” Class
- LQS Certified
- ASIST Suicide Prevention
- Inside LD for Educators
Timeline
Assistant Principal
Fairview School, CBE
08.2023 - Current
Senior School Assistant Principal
Calgary Academy
01.2018 - Current
Teacher
Calgary Academy
01.2010 - 01.2018
Teacher
Abu Dhabi Grammar School
01.2008 - 01.2010
Bachelor of Education - secondary humanities
University of New Brunswick
Bachelor of Arts Degree - Economics, Political Science
St. Francis Xavier University
Master’s of Education - Educational Leadership and Administration
Gonzaga University