In the words of everyone’s favourite Vulcan, Mr. Spock, "Change is the essential process of all existence”. During my visits across the province to schools and district offices, and through my rich encounters with students, staff, teachers, Principals, Vice-Principals, and those of you in district roles, I am reminded that change is truly the one constant. It is ongoing, insistent, inevitable, and it matters.

In our daily work as school and district leaders, we navigate change in a myriad of forms, including the flow and passage of staff, students, and families, and shifts in policies, procedures, and initiatives. Another area of change worth reflection is the impact of leadership transitions, particularly when there is a shift in senior management.

What happens to you – both on a personal level and in your leadership practice – when a new senior leader arrives?

The arrival of a new leader can spark curiosity, even a level of anxiety, and the inclination can be to “wait and see”. You may gather information, reserve judgment, and seek to understand their vision and approach. If you think back to your own first year in a new school, you might recall similar dynamics. Did you spend time building relationships with your staff and students? Did they, in turn, take time to understand your values and leadership style?

Much like when you were new to your own role, a new senior leader is navigating the landscape, observing the culture and context, scanning the district, and seeking to understand the people and programs. This period is sometimes marked by an increase in meetings, program reviews, and an air of change as priorities and structures begin to take shape. For those experiencing these transitions, it can feel like standing on shifting sands as you determine your place within these changes.

How do we, as leaders who are part of the management team, navigate change effectively, and ensure that we are modeling confidence and trust for our communities?

This is where building resilience is crucial, and where the strength of your network and your commitment to your work take centre stage. During times of uncertainty, it is essential to lean into your core values and reflect on the practices that guide your leadership. What anchors you in your role? How are you effectively communicating both with your new senior leader, and with your staff? What are the principles you rely upon to steady your canoe, and ensure you not only adapt but thrive in the face of change?

At the heart of leadership is the responsibility to provide connection, safety, and support for your school community. As leaders, we model adaptability and demonstrate the importance of diversity and inclusion through our actions and decisions. In times of transition, these guiding principles become even more critical.

The BCPVPA’s Leadership Competencies have been developed to further support our members to thrive as leaders in the face of ongoing change. In aligning our Competencies with those of the BC School Superintendents Association (BCSSA), we are ensuring our common direction while forging our own unique pathway.

This past weekend, our exceptional BCPVPA staff hosted a series of member meetings in Vancouver. The Member Support Services team welcomed Contract Advisory Committee members and Chapter Contract Reps from across BC to review fair and equitable contracts of employment; to discuss the necessity for agreements that reflect the competencies, responsibilities, and needs of Principals and Vice-Principals; and to focus on the fundamentals of negotiations. Our Professional Learning and Development team brought together PLD Chapter Reps and Advisory Committee members to explore the framework for professional growth plans, and to dive into the D2L Brightspace platform. All of this work, grounded in the BCPVPA’s Equity Theory of Change and supported by the framework of our Leadership Competencies, provides a strong foundation for growth and alignment in leadership practices. Even in the face of change, these are the constants that we can rely upon.

We encourage members to explore these resources, and to reflect on how they might serve as tools in your leadership journey. While change is constant, so too is the opportunity for growth. And, like Mr. Spock’s recognition of the transformative quality of continual change, our own growth is fueled by thoughtful reflection, intentional action, and a commitment both to our core values and to the communities we serve.