Grande Prairie & District Catholic Schools has built its identity around a clear and disciplined belief: strong Catholic education is not sustained by tradition alone, but by the daily decisions of educators who understand their students, their classrooms, and their community. Rooted in faith, the division approaches education as both a mission and a responsibility, where teaching and learning are guided by Catholic values as much as by instructional practice. What defines the division’s recognition within Catholic education in Canada? Recognized as Education Insider Magazine’s Top Catholic School Division in Canada for 2026, the division’s distinction is grounded not only in broad claims of innovation, but in a consistent, system-wide approach shaped by its identity as a Catholic institution. At its core, the division positions itself as both faith-centered and teacher-led, ensuring that progress is anchored in purpose and that change is shaped by those closest to students. This internal focus reflects a deliberate strategy that sets Grande Prairie & District Catholic Schools apart from many systems that rely heavily on external direction. The division has chosen instead to invest in its own people, building a culture where teachers are not simply implementing initiatives but actively leading the system itself. That decision has defined the division’s trajectory and continues to shape its growth. Dr. Jessie Shirley, Superintendent of Grande Prairie & District Catholic Schools, identifies this as the central force behind the division’s progress. “We’re a faith-based school division, but what really moves us forward is that our teachers are driving this work from the ground up,” she says. This perspective reinforces the division’s identity as a Catholic learning community, where leadership is shared and grounded in both professional expertise and faith-based purpose. The process is visible in the division’s implementation of the Building Thinking Classrooms framework, one of several approaches used to support its broader mission. The goal is not simply to introduce new strategies, but to create learning environments where students engage in problem-solving, communicate their reasoning, and take ownership of their learning. This aligns with the division’s commitment to developing the whole child, integrating academic growth with faith formation, character development, and personal responsibility.
Education and Admission Consulting
What if the success of a school didn’t start in the classroom but with the strength of its leadership? For Dr. Rita Marler and Shan Jorgenson-Adam, that question is rooted in over six decades of combined experience leading school systems at the highest level. As a former superintendent and deputy superintendent, they worked at the school and division level, shaping strategy, supporting educators, and navigating leadership from both sides. After retiring, they found themselves at a crossroad, because they felt their work was far from over. “We weren’t done yet,” says Shan Jorgenson-Adam, co-founder and president. “We still had more to give.” They saw capable educators step into leadership roles unprepared for the job’s complexity, while schools with strong potential struggled because leaders lacked the support to address challenges effectively. Walking away from that wasn’t an option. So they built JAM Consulting, drawing from their experience inside school systems and strategies they used as leaders. The company was created to help school leaders manage their roles through practical strategies, direct mentorship, and support grounded in today’s realities. At the core is a clear belief: when leadership improves, teaching improves and student outcomes follow. Rather than treating leadership as separate from the classroom, JAM Consulting focuses on strengthening instructional leadership so decisions at the top translate into better learning experiences. .
Classroom Hearing Assistance Technology
Simeon, a leading innovator in classroom audio amplification and assistive listening technology, is set to launch the world’s first classroom sound field system with Auracast, Bluetooth’s new broadcast audio standard. The Audita III, debuting in late 2025, moves beyond brand specific transmitters to a single global standard that simplifies audio management and adapts to every student’s needs. “Our mission has always been to level the playing field for students with hearing loss, giving them the same opportunity to participate as their peers,” says Jason Rude, president. “That mission has guided each step forward, including our systems already in classrooms today.” Simeon’s current Audita II systems make classrooms more inclusive by evenly carrying a teacher’s voice across the room and linking directly with hearing aids and cochlear implants. But Audita II achieves this through brand-tied accessories such as the Oticon EduMic, the Phonak Roger transmitter or the Cochlear MultiMic. In classrooms where students use different brands, multiple devices must be connected and managed. The setup is effective but often cumbersome in practice. Audita III changes that. The introduction of Auracast removes the need for manufacturer-dependent transmitters altogether. No matter the brand, one broadcast standard will reach every hearing aid and cochlear implant. A universal broadcast standard now delivers what once demanded splitters, custom wiring and multiple mics. The result is a classroom that is easier to manage, more reliable for teachers and fully inclusive for students. The impact is felt at every level. Students with hearing loss receive precise ear-level amplification and equal footing in discussions. Their peers benefit as pass-around microphones ensure that every voice is projected through the sound field system while simultaneously streamed directly into hearing devices, removing the hesitation from missing part of the conversation. Teachers avoid the strain of projecting their voices all day, relying instead on a lightweight pendant transmitter that carries speech naturally through the system. For schools, the shift means lower costs, less IT complexity and technology that remains relevant well into the future.
Student Housing
In student housing, management companies often get paid even when the owners lose money. This happens because they are compensated for revenue generated rather than overall performance of managing the asset; revenue and expenses. They typically earn a fixed percentage of rent collected, which means their income is tied to revenue, not overall profitability. This creates a misalignment of incentives: managers focus on filling beds and collecting rent, while owners focus on maximizing net operating income. As a result, management decisions often emphasize short-term occupancy targets instead of sustainable operational efficiency or resident satisfaction. On paper, revenue may grow, but rising costs and declining service can erode profit and long-term asset value. HH Red Stone was built to change that by treating residents like “owners” in daily operations. The company believes that when every resident is valued, heard, and respected, the real owner benefits most. Engaged residents renew leases, take better care of their spaces, and become advocates for the property, driving stable revenue and lowering turnover costs. To reinforce that alignment, HH Red Stone links its management fees directly to the Net Operating Income (NOI) goals agreed upon with property owners, ensuring both sides share in success or shortfall. When a property performs well, everyone benefits. When it has challenges, the management operator feels it as well. This shared-outcome model connects resident experience to operational performance, aligning efficiency, transparency, and profitability toward lasting asset value. For managers, success now depends on how smoothly a property runs after move-in. Owners see steadier margins and fewer surprises. Residents feel the difference in cleaner grounds and curb appeal, faster maintenance, and teams who know them by name. “Success isn’t this mysterious or magical thing that is beyond reach. It’s about doing what you said you were going to do—consistently, every single day. At HH Red Stone, we bring that same mindset to how we manage our communities. When owners, managers, and residents are all aligned, consistency turns into performance and that performance creates long lasting real estate value.” says Teddy Abdelmalek, Senior Vice President of Business Development at HH Red Stone.
Top 10 Heads of School in Canada - 2026
Willy LeBihan is a bilingual French-American educator with more than 30 years’ experience in international education.
Test Prep and Tutoring Services
Applying Transfer of Learning: The Vital Partnership Between Career Education And Learning Design
Ken Jeffery, Associate Director of CTET, Royal Roads University
Christian Schools
Asynchronous Advantage: Flexible Learning Options while Maintaining Student Engagement
Matt Dyck, Director, Student Engagement and Experience, Thompson Rivers University
High Schools
Achieving Educational Excellence Through Meaningful Engagements
Jillian Marino, School Principal, Edmonton Public School Division
Test Prep and Tutoring Services
Redefining Education Through XR and AI
Rob Theriault, Immersive Technology Manager, Georgian College
Career Colleges
From Knowledge to Action: How Scenario-Based Learning is Redefining Professional Education
Dr. Ceni Babaoglu, Assistant Program Director and Professor, Data Science, Toronto Metropolitan University
IN MY OPINION
Test Prep and Tutoring Services
Significance of IT in Higher Education to Ready the Future Workforce
Larvell Davis, Director of Information Technology, VCU School of Pharmacy
LAST WORD
Nursing Colleges
Active Engagement Is the Foundation of Effective Leadership
Amber Pleasant, Program Director of Adult Education and English Language Learning, Aims Community College
IN FOCUS
Empowering Catholic Education: Shaping Canada's Future
Catholic school divisions focus on providing an education rooted in values, fostering the overall development of students, and enhancing their retention and progression throughout their academic journey.
Canada Education Consulting: Aligning Student Goals with Opportunities
Educational consulting in Canada supports informed academic planning, aligns student goals with institutional pathways, enhances decision-making, and strengthens long-term educational outcomes.
EDITORIAL
Advancing Education through Leadership and Learning
Our cover story features Grande Prairie & District Catholic Schools, recognized as the Top Catholic School Division in Canada 2026. Rooted in faith and driven by its educators, the division has fostered a culture where teachers play a leading role in shaping student success and strengthening the communities they serve.
We also recognize JAM Consulting as the Top Educational Consulting in Canada 2026. Founded by Dr. Rita Marler and Shan Jorgenson-Adam, the firm helps school leaders strengthen instructional leadership through mentorship, coaching and practical guidance. Its work reflects the belief that stronger leadership leads to stronger schools and better student outcomes.
Leadership remains a key theme throughout this issue. Willy LeBihan, Founder and Head of School at the French School of Maine, and James Weekes, Head of School at The Booker School, are both recognized among the Top 10 Heads of School in Canada 2026. LeBihan shares his perspective on immersion learning, international education and preserving meaningful human connection in a technology-driven world. Weekes emphasizes the importance of listening, understanding school culture and building communities centered on people.
Our contributors add further insight. Natasha Dilay and Ken Jeffery of Royal Roads University explore how career education, learning design and educational technology can better connect academic learning with future career success. Jillian Marino, School Principal at Edmonton Public School Division, highlights the role of resilience, supportive relationships and personalized learning in helping students thrive.
Together, these stories celebrate the educators, leaders and organizations making a meaningful difference in the lives of students across Canada. We invite you to explore this issue and discover the ideas, experiences and perspectives helping shape the future of education.
