Bill Forster appointed principal at Chinook High School

Lethbridge School Division is pleased to announce Bill Forster has been appointed principal for Chinook High School, commencing the 2021/2022 school year.
Forster will take on the role of principal at Chinook High School with a breadth of administrative experience to draw from. A common thread throughout his leadership journey is his focus on building a community and culture of growth grounded in connections with students, staff and community.
Currently a vice-principal at Chinook, Forster has been part of an administrative team that nurtured the connection, collaboration, reflection and risk taking that marks the culture of growth that is Chinook. He takes pride in being part of a leadership team that faces and addresses the complexities that create barriers to learning, including systemic inequity.
Forster has extensive knowledge as a leader at the high school level. He possesses a deep understanding of inclusive practices, management and instructional support including technology, pedagogy, curriculum and assessment. He is highly skilled in student program planning and conflict resolution.
Forster is a reflective leader who skillfully supports inquiry based professional learning. A strong supporter of distributed leadership, he believes a school flourishes when everyone has the open door to leading initiatives with a leader who supports growth and innovation.
"I am thrilled to be able to continue the journey of learning with the students, staff, parents and community members of Chinook in my new role as principal," said Forster. "Chinook has cultivated an outstanding culture of care, connection, inquiry, reflection and growth in supporting students as they tackle the academic, social, emotional and spiritual challenges of high school in today’s complex world. It has been a privilege to serve the Chinook community for the last five years. I look forward to collaborating with the Chinook team to foster the continued growth of this amazing school in years to come.” 
Forster has been a vice-principal at Chinook High School for five years. Prior to joining Lethbridge School Division in this capacity, Bill’s leadership experiences include principal of F.P. Walshe School and Walshe Crossroads Campus, and assistant principal/technology co-ordinator at Spruce Grove Composite High School. His leadership experience also includes work in planning and co-ordinating AISI projects in Spruce Grove, and more recently High School Redesign as part of the admin team leading a school into the original High School Flexibility Enhancement Pilot Project. Prior to leadership roles, Forster was a high school science teacher and department head.
Forster has a Bachelor of Science specializing in Meteorology from the University of Alberta. He earned his Bachelor of Education degree majoring in physics from the University of British Columbia and completed his Master of Education from the University of Alberta.