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New Assistant Superintendent for HPSD
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Evan Dearden Assitant Superintendent
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Spotlight Staff
For Spotlight
High Prairie School Division is pleased to welcome Evan Dearden, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, as an integral part of HPSD’s central office leadership team.
Dearden, who was born and raised in the provincial capital of Edmonton, AB, officially joined the division Sept. 1, 2009, and is excited about his new position with HPSD which includes working in key areas of education such as AISI (Alberta Initiative For School Improvement), Professional Development Committee and others directly associated with student learning.
“Essentially my role with HPSD is to oversee curriculum-based initiatives while enhancing the focus of curriculum throughout the division,” says Dearden, who is happily married with three children and will be dedicating much of his time to working directly with schools as part of his role with HPSD.
“I really feel quite honoured and fortunate to be a part of a diverse and reputable school division which remains committed to academic excellence for all its students.”
Dearden’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Education degree from the University of Alberta in addition to a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Prince Edward Island.
His keen interest and passion towards the education sector and gradual progression up the ladder from teacher to principal, supervisor of learning services and now assistant superintendent of curriculum, are attributes shared by many other members of his family.
“Teaching is something that’s coursed through the veins of my family for years,” he explains.
Dearden’s first teaching experience came early in his career when he accepted a unique opportunity to teach chemistry to students in the third world country of Africa – more specifically Nigeria – through World University Services of Canada.
While there he gained valuable experience as an educator and a stronger understanding of the importance of building and maintaining strong working relationships with students.
“It was truly an eye-opening experience, one that gave me a tremendous sense of appreciation for those less fortunate and the ongoing struggles and challenges they face in their daily lives.”
From there, Dearden moved on to roles as a public school division teacher in Grimshaw and later as principal with the separate school division (also in Grimshaw) prior to dedicating 16 years of service to Grande Yellowhead Regional Division (GYRD). He dedicated a portion of that time as a principal in Hinton.
Dearden later accepted the role of supervisor of learning services with GYRD, a responsibility which included a focus on curriculum supporting the implementation of new Programs of Studies, FNMI initiatives, PUF, achievement results analysis, continuing improvement plans for schools, three-year education planning and direct involvement with the Yellowhead leadership team.
More recently, Dearden held a position with Alberta Education as an educational manager in the Field Services sector. There, he worked as a liaison between government and several school boards, including Edmonton Public Schools, Fort McMurray (public and private school systems) and a charter school prior to accepting his new role with HPSD earlier this year.
Dearden’s professional involvement in education over the course of his career has firmly reinforced a personal belief about the positive impact which educators continue to have on students.
“Teaching, in my opinion, is certainly one of the most important jobs in the world,” says Dearden. As educators, I think it’s important for each of us to recognize and focus upon the strengths in our students as opposed to their deficits. They’re counting on us as their mentors to positively influence their lives.”
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