Learning Opportunities

Adelee Penner BHEc, BEd, MEd - CEO Elk Willow Consulting

Adelee Penner is a highly sought-after consulting professional who has demonstrated her ability to realize system improvement and change disruption. She brings her practical experience working with teachers and school-based and district leaders to her project consultation/work. She has been an educator and leader in Manitoba and Alberta school authorities. Adelee also has experience as an Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Alberta.  She has worked for Manitoba Agriculture and Alberta Education, which has provided her with the opportunity to innovate, create, and problem-solve at a provincial level.   In addition to consulting, Adelee is a Lecturer in the Education Faculty at the University of Alberta ans is pursuing a PhD at the University of Calgary.  She also has a passion for seeking food security for folks around the world.  In the last few years, Adelee has supported diversity projects for farmers, including seeking multiple sources of revenue.  She has also supported folks as they worked to enter the alternative protein market.  Adelee has also used her background in mental health literacy to support equity, diversity, and inclusion in both the workplace and system and policy planning.

Adelee is able to create remarkable outcomes through her unshakable optimism. She enjoys working alongside leaders as she believes we can shape an innovative future together. Adelee’s strengths lie in her ability to inspire and motivate people to achieve meaningful improvement, see possibilities, and create opportunities; she is a systems thinker, and she is able to craft meaningful processes through which remarkable outcomes are possible. Through her visionary leadership and ability to analyze and assess multiple data sources, she can coach teams into actioning their potential. As an IAP2 certified trainer, Adelee enjoys working with organizations to inspire new ways to engage with their stakeholders and consider their communication strategies. Adelee inspires others to be their best while focusing on goals the system is working towards.  She is a disruptor who challenges thinking and makes you realize you can shift/refine your practice for your well-being, practice, and clients.

Laura-Lee Toews has been working in colony schools for 30 years.  She has held many different roles over the years including:  classroom assistant, special needs assistant, as well as the classroom teacher.  She is currently teaching at the Fairview Colony School near Crossfield and the president of the Alberta Colony Educators special interest group.  She is passionate about creating a format in which colony teachers are able to access support, relevant PD, and have a more prominent presence with the ATA.