About Us

Our Vision

As an advocate for quality Professional Development, Central Alberta Office (The Consortium) works to facilitate and support, through collaborative networks, the learning opportunities for all individuals and groups having an impact on student learning in Central Alberta.

Our Goals

  • Facilitate Professional Development which supports the effective implementation of: the Alberta Education Business plan, Jurisdiction and School Education plans and Regional School Council plans.
  • Facilitate Professional Development which supports the effective implementation of curricula, including instruction, assessment and student learning outcomes.
  • Coordinate, broker and act as a center to assist stakeholders’ access to available Professional Development resources.
  • Deliver Professional Development based on the identified and emerging needs of educational stakeholders.
  • Promote and support the development of Professional Development leadership capacity.
  • Provide stakeholders with access to Professional Development at a reasonable cost.

We plan learning opportunities based on advice from the region we serve, most often received from advisory committees and participant feedback from sessions. We also rely on the professional literature and provincial knowledge about effective Professional Development and curriculum implementation. Provincial resources that guide our work include:

For more information, please contact the Central Alberta Office Director

Our Governance

Central Alberta Office (The Consortium) is governed by the Board of Directors from the College of Alberta School Superintendents (CASS).

The Board is responsible for the governance of the Central Alberta Office (The Consortium). Each year, the Board provides the Minister of Learning with an Annual Report outlining its achievements.

CASS Board of Directors:  https://cass.ab.ca/about-cass/board-of-directors-24-25/

Our Team

Diana White

Director

Diana White

Director

diana.white@aplc.ca

Diana brings with her a strong educational background, having served as a classroom teacher, school administrator and Director of Learning and Instruction. Her background in leadership, curriculum implementation, assessment, numeracy, inclusion, and facilitating professional learning has equipped her to effectively support educators at all levels. Currently serving as the Director of the Central Alberta Office of The Consortium, Diana uses her experience and passion to support teachers, school administrators, and system leaders. Her collaborative approach empowers educators to navigate complex challenges with the goal of inspiring and equipping staff to do their most exceptional work for students.

Nancy Penney

Executive Assistant

Nancy Penney

Executive Assistant

nancy.penney@aplc.ca

Follow @carcpd

I have been with the consortia for 16 years, in various capacities, working with 5 different Executive Directors, moving locations 4 times, and navigating 5 different registration systems. I am Alberta born and raised and have lived in Red Deer for 38 years. I have 5 adult children and 5 grandsons all of whom live here in Red Deer.  My favorite times include family, friends, church, gardening and reading.

Areas of Expertise

  • Program Coordinator
  • Registration Coordinator
  • Reporting
  • Booking & Contracting Facilitators
  • Day-to-Day Office Administration
  • Hosting Learning Opportunities
  • Participant Communication
  • Invoice coding and deposits

Chris Zarski

Designer of Professional Learning

Chris Zarski

Designer of Professional Learning

chris.zarski@aplc.ca

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Chris is supporting Alberta teachers as a Curriculum Implementation Support Consultant with the Central Alberta Office of The Consortium. She recently served as the Director of Instruction and Staff Development for the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School Division. Throughout her 40+ year career as a teacher, administrator, Examiner with Alberta Education, author and assessment & pedagogical consultant with McGraw Hill/Nelson Publishing, Chris continues her passion for learning and sharing her experiences. With years of experience and opportunities to amass a variety of resources and approaches to pedagogy and assessment, Chris continues to read and stay up-to-date with the current literature and research. “Deepening our students’ learning begins with us as educators – having a deep understanding of our subject, and a toolbox full of strategies to pull out as needed.” Come join Chris as she helps fill that toolbox and challenges your thinking!

Chris has her Master’s degree from the University of Alberta focused on assessment and professional learning. She loves to learn and believes that all students have the ability to learn at high levels. Chris also believes that teachers have the best profession ever – enlightening new minds and sparking interest in learning! WOW – how great is that!

Areas of Expertise

  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Assessment
  • Learner Engagement
  • Manipulatives to Enhance Learning
  • Foldables to Enhance Learning
  • Inquiry Based Learning
  • Policy and Framework Development
  • Leadership
  • First Nations, Mètis and Inuit

Margaret Savage

Financial Coordinator

Margaret Savage

Financial Coordinator

centralalberta.accounting@aplc.ca

Margaret has over 20 years of experience in business management, human resources, marketing and analysis. In September 2020, Margaret joined the Central Alberta Office team in the role of Financial Coordinator.

Always up for a challenge, Margaret enjoys the ever changing demands of the Central Alberta office and working as part of the team to meet the needs of those the Central Alberta office provides service to.

Areas of Expertise

  • Accounts Receivable
  • Accounts Payable
  • All things Financial

Partners

The Central Alberta Office is pleased to partner in professional development with the following school jurisdictions:

Battle River School Division
Chinook's Edge School Division
Clearview Public Schools
Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools
Red Deer Public Schools
Wetaskiwin Regional Public Schools
Wild Rose Public Schools
Wolf Creek Public Schools

Private and Band School Members

  • Central Alberta Christian High School (Lacombe)
  • College Heights Christian School (Lacombe)
  • Cornerstone Christian Academy (Kingman)
  • Creekside Creative Academy (Red Deer)
  • Destiny Christian School (Red Deer)
  • First Steps and Beyond (Red Deer)
  • Kitaskinaw Education Authority (Enoch)
  • Koinonia Christian Schools (Red Deer)
  • Lacombe Christian School (Lacombe)
  • Lighthouse Christian Academy (Sylvan)
  • Mamawi Atosketan Native School (Ponoka)
  • Maskwacîs Education Schools Commission (Maskwacîs)
    • Ermineskin Elementary School
    • Grace Marie Swampy Primary School
    • Kisipatinahk School
    • Maskwacîs Cree High School
    • Maskwacîs Cree Junior High School
    • Maskwacîs Outreach School
    • Meskanahk Ka Nipa Wit School
    • Mimiw-Sakahikan School
    • Nipisihkopahk Elementary School
  • O’Chiese First Nation School & Education (Rocky Mountain House)
  • Parkland School (Red Deer)
  • Parkview Adventist Academy (Lacombe)
  • Peace Hills Adventist Academy (Wetaskiwin)
  • Ponoka Christian School (Ponoka)
  • Rimbey Christian School (Rimbey)
  • SouthSide Christian School (Red Deer County)
  • Sunchild First Nation School (Rocky Mountain House)
  • Sylvan Meadows Adventist School (Sylvan Lake)
  • Woodlands Adventist School (Ponoka)

Post Secondary

  • Red Deer Polytechnic

Plans and Reports

View APLC Reports

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