Thank you very much to everyone that completed the parent or staff survey.  The survey results gave me a better picture of the Father Leonard Van Tighem learning community.  I hope to provide some feedback for parents at the first School Council meeting and with staff once school has started.  I encourage individuals that asked me a particular question or brought up a specific issue to contact me to meet or send me an email kostiukg@holyspirit.ab.ca

I thought I might share a little bit about myself with you.  I was born and raised in Saskatoon, Go Riders, and earned my undergraduate degrees at the University of Saskatchewan.  Later, I gained my Masters in Special Education.  My wife, Valerie, is a manager for Martin Brothers Funeral Services.  I am proud of my daughter, Melissa, and my son, Nathan.  I enjoy spending time with my family, reading a good book, walking my whoodle, the occasional round of golf, and playing hockey (Go Blackhawks).  I am an active member of St. Martha’s Parish.

I have been teaching since 1990, and an administrator since 1996.  That suddenly feels like a long time.  Although it has been 28 years, in many ways, I still have that excitement of my first teaching job.  I believe I have had a balanced career.  I have been an educator in two K to 12s, two K to 9s, two K to 6s, and a junior high school.  Within Holy Spirit Catholic Schools, I have been an educator at St. Francis Junior High School, Children of St. Martha School, St. Joseph’s School, Our Lady of the Assumption School, and now Father Leonard Van Tighem School.  I am very proud to be a part of Catholic Education and Holy Spirit Catholic School Division.

I am really looking forward to being part of the learning community of Father Leonard Van Tighem, and I would like to thank both staff and parents for your warm welcome.  I am positive and optimistic.  As an educational leader, I believe in Servant Leadership; helping, supporting, and collaborating with all.  In addition to Servant Leadership, I strive to follow Shepherd Leadership; observe all, ignore most, challenge some, and encourage all.  Whenever tomorrow arrives, change is bound to follow. I do not believe in change for the sake of change.  But I do not believe in the status quo for the sake of the status quo, either.  I find that we learn by stepping outside of our comfort zones to try new things, even if we might occasionally fail.

I know change can be difficult, and I know there will be a few bumps, but I thank you for your patience as I become aware of the culture of our school.  I hope this post has given you a better understanding of me and I look forward to getting to know everyone at Father Leonard Van Tighem School.  Please do not hesitate to contact me or drop by the office to say hello.  Also, I invite you to follow me on Twitter (@gregkostiuk).

Have a blessed and safe rest of the summer break.

Greg Kostiuk