Learning Opportunities

Ian Gray is the Superintendent of Aurora Academic Charter School in Edmonton, Alberta. His career in education has included classroom teaching, school leadership, technology leadership, online learning, and system-level administration.

Ian is committed to research-informed practice, charter school collaboration, and building school systems that support both student achievement and staff well-being. He has served as President of The Association of Alberta Public Charter Schools and contributes to provincial work related to educational leadership and professional practice.

Ian holds a Master of Education in Leadership from the University of Portland and is currently completing doctoral research in Educational Leadership focused on improving consistency, equity, and transparency in K–12 assessment and reporting systems. He is also engaged in research on collaborative partnerships between school authorities, communities, and academic institutions.

In his keynote presentation, “Calm in the Middle: Practical Teaching and Leadership for Complex Classrooms,” Ian invites educators to reconsider how schools understand and respond to students with complex learning needs. Rather than viewing complexity as a barrier, the presentation explores how complex learners can help school teams strengthen pedagogy, refine systems of support, and build classrooms where more students thrive.

Lori Vigfusson is a northern Alberta educator and administrative leader dedicated to fostering a culture of inclusivity.

Serving as the Principal of New Horizons Charter School—Canada's first public charter school, established specifically to meet the needs of gifted learners—Vigfusson has worked to create , student and staff well-being, and community-building.

Vigfusson's leadership style is rooted in the classroom. Before stepping into administrative and leadership roles, she spent years as a frontline educator, notably teaching Grade 4 at New Horizons. Her transition from classroom teacher to school counsellor, to Vice-Principal, and ultimately to Principal, has provided her with an intimate understanding of the school's unique demographic and the strategies required to foster the social, emotional and academic needs of gifted children. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes:

• Building a culture of collaboration and mutual support.
• Meeting students where they are and responding to their individual needs.
• Creating welcoming, inclusive environments where everyone feels they belong.
• Leading with empathy, respect, and a commitment to authentic relationships.
• Ensuring students and staff feel safe to be themselves and reach their full potential.

With a 20 year career defined by her commitment to the New Horizons community, Vigfusson endeavours to lead with a focus on student advocacy, ensuring that gifted education remains inclusive, challenging, and supportive of long-term social, emotional and academic development.