Drumheller Valley Secondary School - Drumheller

Bevan Daverne, Superintendent for Golden Hills School Division was named the Canadian Superintendent of the Year at the Canadian Association of School System Administrators (CASSA) Annual Conference in St. Andrews By-The-Sea, New Brunswick. Daverne received the EXL Award at a ceremony held at the conference’s awards luncheon, July 7, 2022.

Jointly sponsored by Xerox Canada Ltd and CASSA, the EXL Award acknowledges exemplary leadership at the school system level, with recipients having enhanced the profession of school system administration throughout their career. Daverne, the nominee of the College of Alberta School Superintendents (CASS), was one of three provincial and territorial nominees recognized at the CASSA Conference.

Daverne, Chief Superintendent for Golden Hills School Division, has been a CASS member since 2011.
His system leadership as Superintendent with the division during this time has focused on “powerful
learning” – an instructional leadership approach based on research principles for improving student learning.

Furthering the jurisdiction as a community connector and partner has been critical to Daverne’s leadership influence. Innovations in trades education, the development of an online learning academy, and targeted community and business partnerships has led to school building projects that showcase the integration of school communities reflecting the aspirations of broader municipal and regional communities throughout the division.

School Board Chair, Laurie Huntley, applauds Daverne on receiving this honour and noted that “Bevan is an individual who demonstrates both the science and art of leadership. He models the highest ethical standards of conduct and maintains a commitment to personal and professional growth.” Daverne’s provincial colleagues in system education leadership would agree, noting that Bevan played a significant role as CASS president from 2019 – 2021 in liaising with the Ministry of Education to support CASS’ recent attainment of legislated professional status. These efforts have been dedicated to enhancing in the public’s interest, the quality of system education leadership in our province.

In addition to the award received in St. Andrews By-The-Sea, Daverne will be acknowledged as the Canadian Superintendent of the Year by the American Superintendents Association at its annual conference scheduled for February 16 - 18, 2023 in San Antonio, TX. He joins Darrel Robertson (2020), David Keohane (2018), Joan Carr (2016), Kim Jenkins (2013), Ed Witchen (2004), and John Darroch (2002) as Alberta superintendents who have received the national award.