Penny Neufeld
http://neufeldpd.weebly.com/
Education
Masters of Educational Studies, focused on Leadership and School Improvement, University of Alberta 2009
Bachelor of Education – Middle Years focus, University of Alberta, 2002
Social Work Diploma, Red Deer College, 1991
Additional References
“Penny would be an excellent
addition to any staff that would
welcome an innovative educator
intent on providing all students
with the highest quality of
educational experience.”
Brian Celli
Superintendent
Wild Rose Public Schools
“When I think of things that a
worthy candidate should have
for such a position, I think of
responsible, wise, caring, able to
assess situations, and an
authority figure who others feel
comfortable talking to. Mrs.
Mueller suits all this criteria and
so, so much more.”
Michael Lawlor
Former Students
“After 24 years of teaching, I
have dealt with quite a number
of administrators and I believe
Penny ranks amongst the best.
Her collaborative, efficient and
professional style has
encouraged our school to thrive
like never before. She has shown
us to be caring, understanding,
and respectful while dealing
honestly and openly with
concerns and problems. She has
questioned, given feedback and
advice, but also expected it in
return.”
Frank Tschabold
Teacher
19 Burris Pointe Lacombe, Alberta, T4L 0A2
Home 403-782-9761, Cell 403-357-7268
neufeldpennydale@gmail.com or penny.neufeld@wolfcreek.ab.ca
@PennyDNeufeld on Twitter
Personal Vision Statement
Partnering with parents, colleagues, and community organization to provide an
unsurpassed loving and nurturing, extended-family environment through which
all learners will be ensured of having the greatest educational opportunities to
become responsible members of their own families and leaders in our society.
Professional Recognition
Distinguished Leadership Award
Central Alberta Regional Council on School Administration
November 2010
Profession Involvements & Development
Enthusiastically became a member of the Administrators Executive for Wolf
Creek Public Schools (current position), AISI Leadership position;
representative and project lead for the Wolf Creek Public Schools U21C
(Understanding 21st Century Learning) initiative; involved in CARC (Central
Alberta Regional Consortium) presentations on inquiry based learning,
leadership, technology integration, and understanding 21st century skills;
member of the One-to-One Community of Practice for Alberta Learning;
mentoring new administrators through the Wolf Creek Administrators
mentorship program. Some additional professional activities include: Special
Education Conference, Western Canadian Administrators Conference, ATLE
and ISTE Technology Conferences, Leading and Learning, Reaching and
Teaching, Banff Leadership Conference, and Coaching with Jim Knight.
Professional Experience
Wolf Creek Public School, Ponoka Alberta
Principal – Crestomere School August 2008 – Current
Plan, control, and direct the overall activities for a K-9 21st Century School with
140 students and 20 staff members. Scope of position include: staff recruitment,
development, and evaluation; fiscal management; school improvement and
innovative programming; community advocate; collaborative decision-making;
vision conception and change agent; student discipline; proposal writing;
creating and maintaining a safe, respectful and fair environment.
 Embraced the utilization of 21st Century Learning and Digital
Citizenship into the learning environment by successfully having Crestomere
school selected as a leading school in the division to research, implement, and
share our ‘Understandings of 21st Century Learning’
 Modeled instructional leadership with a strong commitment to
educational pedagogy in inclusive practices and programming.
 “Penny’s leadership strengths
are enhanced significantly by her
exemplary interpersonal skills,
her tremendous work ethic and
her genuine commitment to
doing what is in the best interest
of students. We are very proud
to have Penny on our team. I
congratulate her on a highly
successful leadership transition
in Crestomere School.”
Jayson Lovell
Assistant Superintendent
Wolf Creek Public Schools
“She has a great sense of
responsibility, she is fair and has
always shown the greatest
respect for everyone at our
school.”
Alana Skocdopole
Student
“As a parent I felt very
comfortable with Penny as a
leader. If I ever had a concern
she was very approachable and
she worked until there was an
amicable solution.”
Adrienne Rowan
Parent
What excites me in the
Future of Education
Curriculum Redesign and 21st
Century Learning -Engaging
curriculum that inspires every
student, every day.
Action on Inclusion -A
collective practice to build an
inclusive education system in
Alberta.
Interests
Skiing, sailing, golfing, fishing,
reading, volunteering, politics,
and of course inspiring others to
seek happiness and success in
their lives
Clearview Public Schools, Stettler Alberta
Vice-Principal – Stettler Middle School August 2007- June 2008
Assist with the overall activities for a Middle School with 300 students and 30
staff members. Scope of position includes: student discipline; staff professional
development, supervision of inclusive education programs, PAT exams, family
school liaison, and parent councils; awards ceremony; assemblies; student’s
union.
 Organize and participated in a variety of extracurricular activities and
school recognition programs.
 Coordinate community partnerships with various agencies.
 Contact and work with parents to improve student behavior and
classroom success.
 Assist with creation and implementation of staff and student schedules.
Clearview Public Schools, Stettler Alberta
Classroom Teacher / Guidance Counselor
Stettler Middle School August 2002- June 2008
Enthusiastically assumed all responsibilities of a dynamic classroom teacher
including: professional development; curriculum design and lesson
development; differentiated instruction; cooperative learning; student motivation
and engagement; classroom management; inquiry based learning; student
assessment and whole group learning.
 Launched the use of student portfolios and student lead conferences.
 Incorporated constructivism philosophy of teaching into education
environment.
 Integrated technology into various classroom activities.
 Established and maintained positive relationship with all students,
parents, and colleagues, fostering an environment of clear support and
communication.
 Created a positive and supportive school-counseling climate.
 Initiated a conflict resolution action group for students.
 Collaborated with community health and school liaison personnel to
provide appropriate services for students and families.
Related Experience and Skills
Worked in the field of Social Work from the years of 1991 through to 1995.
During this time, I held responsibilities in areas such as: child welfare, family
counseling, intake social worker (AHP), and children services worker (Big
Brothers and Sisters). I actively collaborated with several different
multidisciplinary teams to assure that all needs of clients and children were
being met.
Professional Reading
Recent professional readings include: 21 Century Skills, Learning for life in our
times, Bernie Trilling & Charles Fadel; Inclusive Leadership, James Ryan;
Instructional Coaching, Jim Knight; Influencer & Crucial Confrontations,
Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, David Maxfield, Ron McMillan & Al Switzler;
360 Degree Leader, John C Maxwell; School Leadership that Works, Robert
Marzano, Timothy Waters & Brian McNulty; The Life World of Leadership,
Thomas Sergiovanni; The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, Patrick Lencioni;
Reinventing Project Based Learning, Suzie Boss & Jane Krauss
 Personal Reflection- On
Professional References
Leadership
It was Socrates who said, “Follow the smart people.”
“In my work I get to think critically,
collaboratively, and reflectively to
ensure that I lead in the right
direction. My measure is ensuring I Jayson Lovell
consistently surround myself with Superintendent of School
people and situations that allow me Wolf Creek Public School
to think freely and do what I believe 6000 Highway 2A, Ponoka, Alberta T4J 1P6
is best for students, communities, and (403) 341-4153
the greater society.” jayson.lovell@wolfcreek.ab.ca
Penny Mueller

Principles of My Brent Galloway

Educational Vision Coordinator, U of A B.Ed.
Collaborative Program
-Development of the community, (403) 357-3634
by the community, for the brent.galloway@rdc.ab.ca
community
-It’s a process- includes a plan,
identifies strengths and assets and
decides how these can be used to help Corrine Thorsteinson
the educational community become Assistant Superintendent of School
stronger educationally, socially, and Wolf Creek Public Schools
economically 6000 Highway 2A Ponoka, Alberta T4J 1P6
-It’s long term- success means that (403) 396-6758 (cell)
people stay involved cthorsteinson@wolfcreek.ab.ca
-It’s a holistic approach- people, the
community, their culture, all focus on
goals Sheri Harink
-It’s inclusive- different interests, Teacher – Crestomere School
different needs, and a plan that Wolf Creek Public Schools
meets the needs of the whole RR 3, Lacombe, Alberta T4L 2N3
community
(780) 387-6510 (cell)
-Development of people- committed
to growing leaders and community
sheri.harink@wolfcreek.ab.ca
members
-Focus on sustainability- can
initiatives be sustained educationally Rory Whitbread
and economically Teacher – Crestomere School
-It’s innovative- this means finding Wolf Creek Public School
new ways to use the resources we RR 3, Lacombe, Alberta T4L 2N3
have, find new ones and dive into the (403) 302-2391
21st Century
-Aims for diversification- being
committed to creating/finding
opportunities in a variety of ways,
with a variety of tools
-It’s collaborative- building
partnerships with communities,
other educational organizations,
government, parents, and students