Olsen to retire from Westwind School Division

By Stan Ashbee
Westwind Weekly News

Westwind School Division Assistant Superintendent Nolen Olsen has officially announced his retirement, as of Aug. 31, 2019.

“I would like to take this opportunity to officially announce my decision to retire at the end of this school year and to express gratitude for a career that now spans more than 40 years,” stated Olsen, in a letter posted on the Westwind School Division website.

Olsen’s career started in Calgary in 1978 and he moved to Pincher Creek in 1982 and then back home to Cardston and Westwind School Division in 1990.

“Throughout my career, I have developed wonderful relationships with colleagues, students and parents. I have appreciated each of the roles with which I have been entrusted — first as a teacher and coach, then as a school principal and finally, as a member of the system leadership team,” he noted in the letter.

According to Olsen, his greatest joy has been to associate and work with extremely talented, good people who really love children. “Being an educator is not just something I have done, it’s what and who I have become, and I truly believe we can and will continue to accomplish great things, as long as we don’t care who gets the credit.”

“I cannot imagine having a career that could have been more rewarding and enjoyable. I am sincerely grateful for the many opportunities for growth — both personally and professionally I have had throughout my career,” he added.

Most of all, Olsen said in the letter, he will miss daily interactions with people he now considers some of his closest friends. “I look forward to this new phase of life called ‘retirement’ and I eagerly anticipate new opportunities and adventures to be shared with my wife Vicky.”

It seems fitting Olsen’s last day of work will be Aug. 31, as it is also the day the Olsens will celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary. Olsen stated in the letter he is looking forward to this next chapter of life.

“I know I’m leaving things in very good hands. One of my favourite sayings is, ‘you can pretend to care, but you can’t pretend to be there.’ Please continue to ‘be there’ and care for one another,” he said.

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