Celebrating Cal Monty: A Tribute to 35 Years of Dedicated Service to Black Gold
After nearly four decades of unwavering commitment and exemplary service to public education, Associate Superintendent of Human Resources Calvin Monty is retiring this year, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a well-deserved new chapter focused on family, friends, and fun.
“After 38 years of working, I’m going to take a break!” said Cal, with a laugh. “Initially. I want to spend more time with my family, head to Kelowna for a vacation, ride the motorcycle a bit, go visit my mother more often – that sort of thing. My daughter’s getting married early next year, so I would like to spend time with her and help with getting ready for the wedding.”
Cal Monty’s journey with Black Gold School Division began 35 years ago, and throughout his tenure, he become a cornerstone of the organization. He started his teaching career in Drayton Valley, where he spent three years before moving to Leduc. “When I first came here, we were known as the Leduc School District, which later amalgamated with the County of Leduc and Town of Devon school districts to become Black Gold.”
He taught junior high English and Physical Education at Caledonia Park School for nine years, during which he earned a master’s degree and began to look for opportunities to gain experience in elementary schools as a step towards an assistant principalship.
Cal then taught at Ecole Leduc Estates School for one year. “Coming from junior high and stepping down to grade four was a bit of a shock,” he laughed. “I had to plan for a whole lot of classes – math, social studies, science, drama, computers, and everything else. It was like being a first-year teacher all over again – so many different curricula to get up to speed on, but they were great students who were lots of fun.”
It was a great year of learning, after which he was offered the assistant principalship at Ecole Corinthia Park School. He spent another year of learning under the mentorship of then-Principal Al Baker; and when Al retired the following year, Monty was offered the principal position at the school. He stayed there for 12 happy years.
In August 2012, Monty transitioned from being a school administrator to Associate Superintendent of Human Resources (HR) at the Division Office. “Coming into an office environment was another shock, especially spending 12 years in a school principalship,” he said. “I really missed the kids; I knew everyone of the 500 students, I knew their parents, and the school community really well,” he recalled fondly. “I also had an absolutely amazing staff, just a bunch of thoroughbreds who would run themselves to the ground for their students, not only to ensure their academic success, but also with extracurricular activities like sports and drama – they were an incredible team.”
It took some time for Cal to let go, and to realize while the work was different, his new staff team and new colleagues at the Division Office were just as dedicated and fun to be around.
As the Associate Superintendent of HR, Monty played a pivotal role in shaping the Division’s human resources policies and practices. His leadership and vision were instrumental in developing programs that attracted and retained top-tier talent, ensuring that the students of Black Gold School Division received the best education possible.
“I think it went well,” he said. “When you’re dealing with people there can be glitches along the way, and there were times when certain decisions I made… When I look back, I think I could have handled things a bit differently: I could have been a little more sensitive to someone; however, I learned from those experiences as the years went on.”
Throughout his career, Cal demonstrated an exceptional ability to navigate challenges with grace and resilience. His negotiating and problem-solving skills, coupled with his genuine care for the well-being of others, made him a trusted and respected leader. Cal’s efforts extended beyond mere administrative functions; he was a mentor, a confidant, and a source of inspiration for countless educators and staff members.
“I loved my years in HR, and overall, I can look in the mirror and say, you know what, I served the students, parents, and staff of Black Gold well – at least I hope others feel I’ve done a good job,” he said.
For Monty, Black Gold is an amazing school division, with incredible teachers, administration, and support staff whom he got to know very well, and has been lucky enough to receive some grace from them when dealing with issues or thorny negotiations.
One of Monty’s most significant contributions has been his tireless advocacy for professional development. He believed in the power of continuous learning and worked diligently to create opportunities for staff to grow and advance in their careers. His many initiatives in this area – most recently the implementation of John Hattie’s Visible Learning method – not only enhanced the skills and knowledge of educators, but also fostered a culture of lifelong teaching and learning that will endure long after his retirement.
As well, his calm and steady leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic helped the school division overcome the many challenges it faced during the school closures and health mandates.
More recently, Cal’s dedication to diversity and inclusion set a new standard within Black Gold. He championed initiatives that promote equity and embraced the unique backgrounds and perspectives of all staff and students. His commitment to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for everyone was not only commendable but transformative, with the addition of dedicated Wellness Lead and Indigenous Lead positions.
Monty’s career is a testament to his passion for education, his dedication to supporting educators and his unwavering commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive work environment. His colleagues often speak of his approachable nature, his willingness to listen, and his knack for finding solutions that benefit everyone involved. His contributions have left an indelible mark on Black Gold, and his influence will continue to be felt for years to come.
Congratulations, Cal Monty, on an extraordinary career, and best wishes for a fulfilling retirement!