A life-time learner and educator is aiming to help learners educate children. Cynthia Glaicar, the only principal in Westmount School’s history, will take over as director of staff learning for Foothills School Division, effective Aug. 29. “I’m excited to learn the divisional perspective of what happens across our division to lead learning,” Glaicar told trustees at their meeting in High River on May 9. “The instructional leadership of my job (at Westmount) has given me a lot of joy and energy — I see an opportunity to spread that joy and energy across the division with my work with a broader team.” Glaicar has been with Foothills School Division for more than 20 years, first as physical education teacher at High River’s Highwood High School (where current FSD chairman Larry Albrecht was principal) before becoming vice-principal at Oilfields School in 2005. Her perspective for unique learning became apparent when she played a key role in establishing that school’s Quest program. Glaicar became Westmount’s first — and only — principal when the school opened in 2012. The K to Grade 9 school in Okotoks has become a leader in outdoor and environmental studies. She will take a fresh start when joining division office in late August. “I hope to come in with a fresh set of eyes and ears and listen to my team,” she said. “And really think of what that concrete next step is for learning for (school) administrators and learning coaches so that can go back to the schools. “What steps can we take to reach those pillars of our education plan?” Glaicar replaces Rebecca Forchuk, who is going to be the principal at the new elementary-junior high school along 32 Street, a similar job to what Glaicar had when Westmount opened in 2012. “We’re kind of flipping which is kind of a cool thing,” Glaicar said with a chuckle. “It’s an amazing opportunity for the two of us to bring our own strengths to the table."
