The Council for School Leadership (CSL) is an active, provincewide specialist council of the Alberta Teachers’ Association committed to improving administrative practices in education.

Mission
The Council for School Leadership is committed to the promotion and advancement of excellent practices in educational leadership. The CSL is a learning community of outstanding principals and assistant principals throughout Alberta, who share professionally, interact collegially, and act as mentors to new colleagues. The CSL provides avenues for research and sharing of best practices. It is made of individuals who are looking to challenge the status quo, improve learning in their contexts, and be equipped for higher levels of leadership. These individuals are considered role models in vibrant network of educational leaders with the confidence and capabilities to lead innovative change for 21st century learning—the Council for School Leadership.

Vision
The Council for School Leadership provides for its members, access to expert knowledge and current research through publications and professional development opportunities that promote personal meaning and practical application of proven strategies and principles.

Statement of Basic Beliefs
The Council for School Leadership (CSL) is a specialist council of the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA), whose executive and committee members come from a wide cross-section of members. Acting within the bylaws of the ATA, the CSL is a provincewide advocate for school administrators and is charged with the task of articulating and addressing administrators’ needs.

The CSL believes in
• public education for all children,
• acting in the best interests of children,
• recognizing excellence in leadership,
• lifelong learning and
• theoretical and practical research that expands the knowledge base of educational administrators

Activities
The CSL supports the professional development of its members through the creation and delivery of a variety of events and activities. A special program acknowledging contributions to the field of educational administration recognizes and rewards excellence among members at both the local and provincial levels. CSL develops and maintains national and international links with other school administrator organizations. In addition, the CSL promotes lifelong learning and strives to maintain and foster close relationships with the colleges and universities of Alberta. To foster knowledge and professionalism in the field of educational administration, the CSL encourages and supports both theoretical and practical research.

An annual conference provides an excellent opportunity for networking and communication among members.

Benefits of Membership
CSL offers
• Leadership Essentials for Administrators (LEA) conference for administrators;
• professional development growth through regional workshops, the Western Canadian Educational Administrators’ Conference, the Banff Leadership Seminar and the Educational Leadership Academy;
• quality publications;
• active liaison with the Alberta Teachers’ Association;
• membership in the Canadian Association of Principals (CAP);
• recognition of outstanding contributions to the field of education through provincial and national awards programs; and
• a collective voice on major educational issues.

To which region will you belong?
†Calgary (and area)
†Edmonton (and area)
†Northwest (Grande Prairie and area)
†Southern (Lethbridge and area)

Regional CSL councils offer
• local workshops,
• local-level professional dialogue,
• forums for issues and concerns,
• local awards and recognition, and
• representation at the provincial ATA.

Publications
The CSL publishes The Leadership Times newsletter.