Alberta Education Week 2025: The Many Hands Behind Holy Spirit Catholic School Division

This week, April 7-12, 2025, is Alberta Education Week and, across the Holy Spirit Catholic School Division, we are taking a moment to celebrate the incredible people who make our schools the joyful, faith-filled, student-centred environments that they are.

While the classrooms may be where the learning happens, we understand that it takes a village, and a whole lot of heart, to make our schools the welcoming communities that they are.

Our amazing teachers, who work first-hand with our students day after day, are the planners, encouragers, question-askers and inspirers. Not only are they the early morning risers, they are also the after-school supporters, bringing lessons to life, guiding with compassion, and sparking curiosity and wonder in the minds of our students on a daily basis.

But behind the scenes, there is also an extraordinary team of superstars whose tireless efforts help make Holy Spirit vibrant and alive. Alongside our teachers, this hardworking crew makes each day truly special at every one of our schools.

From the education assistants, library technicians, office administrators, and many more, our support staff keeps our day-to-day life running smoothly. Be it lending a hand in the classroom, helping students and staff stay organized, or just offering a kind word and a smile, these heroes are the heartbeat of our schools.

An example are our Holy Spirit counsellors and wellness team members who are always nearby with an open door and an open heart. Not only do they help our students navigate their ever-changing emotions, they create a safe, caring and inclusive environment for students and foster a culture of care and connection.

Our custodial and facilities staff are the stewards and caretakers of our buildings. You may not always see them but they are always around, keeping our schools and buildings safe, clean and cared for. Be it rain or shine, snow or windstorm, they are our behind the scenes champions.

It is also important to highlight the invaluable work of our First Nations, Métis, and Inuit (FNMI) team, whose cultural guidance, educational support, and deep-rooted wisdom help us walk the path of Truth and Reconciliation together. Their hard work when it comes to language lessons, sacred teaching, community events, and everything in between, reminds us that our faith and learning are deeply connected to who we are and where we come from.

Let us not forget our principals, associate principals and board office staff whose dedicated efforts bring vision, leadership, and faith-driven focus to the forefront. Whether they are advocating for their school or department or leading student-centred activities, they set the tone for our community, all while juggling a thousand moving pieces on a daily basis.

Behind the division is a group of dedicated individuals working quietly but powerfully to guide our mission and vision: our Board of Trustees. As faith-filled advocates for the Holy Spirit Catholic School Division, and Catholic Education, our trustees help shape policies, make key decisions, and ensure our schools remain strong, inclusive, and focused on student success.

Each role - no matter how visible, many of which have not been named - plays a vital part in contributing to the soul of our school communities. This work matters deeply; it’s what makes Holy Spirit Catholic schools the warm, positive and compassionate places they are.

To each and everyone of our behind the scenes heroes: Thank you for creating spaces where students feel seen, heard, and supported. Thank you for filling our hallways with laughter, love, and learning. And thank you for showing us all what it means to be a community rooted in faith, where children are cherished and achieve their potential.