Glenbow Elementary School was visited by a representative from the United States Department of Education March 27, as part of the U.S. education board investigating other education systems around the world.
Glenbow Elementary School was visited by a representative from the United States Department of Education March 27, as part of the U.S. education board investigating other education systems around the world.
Maureen McLaughlin, senior advisor to the secretary and director of International Affairs from the United States Department of Education, visited Glenbow School in Cochrane as part of her visits to schools around the globe to see how other education systems work, as well as help improve upon their own in the U.S.
Arne Duncan, U.S. secretary of education, also visited Nakoda Elementary School in Morley March 30.
The U.S. consulate contacted Glenbow School as they had seen the variety of events the school participates in due to their exposure in community newspapers like the Cochrane Eagle. The U.S. consulate is also currently trying to forge connections with schools outside of Calgary, according to Brendan Trinca, Glenbow School's principal.
Also in attendance was Alberta Education members and Cochrane Family and Community Services.
McLaughlin was visiting the area due to her attendance at the International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) in Banff March 29-30, an annual teaching seminar that has been ongoing since 2011 and was held for the first time in Canada this year.
She was particularly interested in visiting Glenbow due to its “diversity ” and to see teacher leadership in operation, as well as learning about preschool initiatives.
During her time at the school, McLaughlin met several students and discussed certain issues to attempt to find specific resolutions to those issues that could then be implemented in the U.S. education system. McLaughlin witnessed multiple learning environments at Glenbow School, which showed her how the Canadian early childhood education system is managed.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Glenbow Elementary School talking with
students, educators and parents and
seeing firsthand the collaborative, supportive and creative environment, ” said McLaughlin.
Trinca appreciated the visit due to the staff and students being acknowledged in Cochrane, amongst other schools.
“It's nice to have validation for our staff in terms of the work they do on a day-to-day basis, ” said Trinca.
