BCPVPA | BC Principals and Vice Principals

Dr. Shannon Behan

August 23, 2024 Message to Members

A heartfelt welcome back to each and every one of you, our educational leaders in every corner of the province! Your dedication and passion for education makes a profound difference in the lives of our students, families, and communities. Read more

Dr. Shannon Behan

August 30, 2024 Message to Members

To those of you who are new, what you may be dealing with most is that you don’t know what you don’t know. Perhaps you find yourself with more questions than answers. If there are contentious issues between staff, how will you problem solve? Read more

Dr. Shannon Behan

September 6, 2024 Message to Members

Entry to kindergarten has changed since the times of my child, and the gradual entry process – although tough on care-givers – offers children and families a gentler transition into school. Read more

Dr. Shannon Behan

September 13, 2024 Message to Members

British Columbia, Ontario, and Nova Scotia are the only Canadian jurisdictions where school leaders are not members of the provincial teachers’ unions. I think you will agree, by the merit of your own experiences and opportunities, that our work in BC can include layers of complexity that might be very different than the same work and role complexity in other provinces. Read more

Dr. Shannon Behan

September 20, 2024 Message to Members

The BCPVPA recognizes that it takes entire communities to raise our children and support our families. We also know how many organizations, businesses, and individuals do so much without seeking recognition. We encourage you to think about the community partners who have made contributions over an extended period of time, and the impact they have on the lives of your students and their families Read more

Dr. Shannon Behan

September 27, 2024 Message to Members

As the Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair said, “Education has gotten us into this mess, and education will get us out.” Schools have a vital role in raising awareness and understanding among students, staff, and our communities about the history and impact of residential schools. Principals and Vice-Principals have the opportunity to guide this work and forever impact the lives of students. Read more

Dr. Shannon Behan

October 4, 2024 Message to Members

In 2020, the BC Principals’ & Vice-Principals’ Association began the process of revising our foundational documents through the lens of equity. Following a deep and dynamic process, we embraced our Equity Theory of Change which outlines the core values that form the foundation of our work. Read more

Dr. Shannon Behan

October 11, 2024 Message to Members

In this week's column, Shannon focuses on the Chilliwack School District’s commitment to building a learning community that embraces diversity and fosters systemic change. Read more.

Dr. Shannon Behan

October 18, 2024 Message to Members

One experience I related in the most recent Principl(ed) Podcast was the day when three SWAT teams landed on our school field, all within a one-hour period. Read more.

Dr. Shannon Behan

November 15, 2024 Message to Members
Our President was in Ottawa this week, meeting with school leaders from across the country. Read her reflections about Remembrance Day in the capital, and how we are all connected. Read more.

Dr. Shannon Behan

November 22, 2024 Message to Members

Our President recently visited School District 46 (Sunshine Coast), and writes about the importance of connection and strength of shared leadership. Read more.

Dr. Shannon Behan

November 29, 2024 Message to Members

Partnerships are one of the keys for success in the field of education. The BCPVPA always looks to build connections and is looking forward to continued collaboration with the Ministry after Lisa Beare's appointment. Read more.

Dr. Shannon Behan

December 6, 2024 Message to Members

Our President writes about her visit to schools in SD73 Kamloops, and their forward-thinking approach to cultivating leadership in that community. Read more.

Dr. Shannon Behan

December 13, 2024 Message to Members

In her last column of 2024, our President the different "eras" in the work of school leaders, and the importance of taking care of yourself and collecting with your colleagues and loved ones. Read more.

January 10, 2025

January 10, 2025 Message to Members

As the year begins, our President welcomes you with a message about looking at the year ahead and remembering to take care of our mental health. Read more.

Dr. Shannon Behan

January 17, 2025 Message to Members

Our President recently visited the New Westminster School District. In her President's Message, she writes about the district's journey of managing growth and its motivated staff and leaders. Read more.

Dr. Shannon Behan

January 24, 2025 Message to Members

Our President reflects on the importance of a Principal to listen to their staff and community and looks at ways of creating space for collaborative input in your team. Read more.

Dr. Shannon Behan

January 31, 2025 Message to Members

In this week's column, Dr. Shannon Behan writes about navigating change – both personally and professionally – when there are shifts in senior leadership. Read more

Dr. Shannon Behan

February 7, 2025 Message to Members

School District 72 (Campbell River) is situated on a vast and stunning landscape on Vancouver Island, and serves approximately 6,000 students with 700 staff. Campbell River and Quadra Island schools. Resilience, dedication, and a sense of community permeates every school. Read more.

Dr. Shannon Behan

February 14, 2025 Message to Members

BCPVPA President Dr. Shannon Behan writes about the importance of building a resilient team, especially when navigating difficult moments. Read more.

Dr. Shannon Behan

February 21, 2025 Message to Members

Dr. Shannon Behan recently visited the Surrey School District, and writes about the deep commitment to students and the strong sense of community she found there. Read more.

Dr. Shannon Behan

February 28, 2025 Message to Members

President Dr. Shannon Behan shares a snapshot of her recent visit to School District 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith), and their deep commitment to honouring Indigenous cultures and meeting the diverse needs of students. Read more.

Dr. Shannon Behan

March 7, 2025 Message to Members

BCPVPA President Dr. Shannon Behan visited with members from the Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique (CSF) and shares her reflections on the importance of building culture as the core of our work. Read more.

Dr. Shannon Behan

March 14, 2025 Message to Members

Our President Dr. Shannon Behan writes about the opportunity for members to step forward as a Board candidate and make a difference for our Association. Read more.

April 4, 2025

April 4, 2025 Message to Members

President Dr. Shannon Behan recently visited Prince George. A school district with a leadership team that thoughtfully defines policies and practices that characterize and represent their diverse community. Read more.

Dr. Shannon Behan

April 11, 2025 Message to Members

President Dr. Shannon Behan recently visited various schools in the Vernon School District George, SD 22. She reflects on how this school district has put in place systems that both support the development of administrators, and empower them to lead with confidence and vision. Read more.

Dr. Shannon Behan

April 17, 2025 Message to Members

The BCPVPA Board of Directors recently had a busy but extremely productive visit to BC’s beautiful capital, and left feeling energized and excited about the work ahead of us. Read more.

Dr. Shannon Behan

April 25, 2025 Message to Members

The BC Ministry of Education and Child Care’s recently released Racism Response Guidelines are a critical step forward in supporting schools in responding to issues of racial harm, and the BCPVCPA and our members are very grateful to the Ministry and all of those who contributed to this guide. Read more.

Dr. Shannon Behan

May 2, 2025 Message to Members

BCPVPA President Shannon Behan took the ferry and visited three school districts recently. From a district with a four-day workweek, to a District Principal who travels between schools in a boat and more, learn about her recent travels here.

Dr. Shannon Behan

May 9, 2025 Message to Members

After attending the Ministry of Education and Child Care's Mental Health in Schools Conference recently, Dr. Shannon Behan shares an important message about mental health for administrators and everyone at schools as we race towards the end of the school year. Read the article here.

Dr. Shannon Behan

May 16, 2025 Message to Members

This week's President's Message explores what it means to finish off the year well, both for school leaders and for the people in their schools. Read here.

Dr. Shannon Behan

May 23, 2025 Message to Members

Our President recently participated in annual Canadian Association of Principals (CAP) Conference in Winnipeg. She connected with and learned from school leaders from across Canada, being surprised by the similarities of their work despite the different contexts. Read the article here.

Dr. Shannon Behan

May 30, 2025 Message to Members

Dr. Shannon Behan reflects on her visit to Nisga'a and how school leaders respond to challenges in remote school communities. Read the article here.

Dr. Shannon Behan

June 6, 2025 Message to Members

Dr. Shannon Behan compares the end of the school year with a challenging multi-day hike across a trail. Her message is that June is the time to pace yourself, to reflect, and to acknowledge how far you have come. Read the article here.