THE PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE - Brian Leonard
Collaboration and Connection
April 26, 2024
Greetings Colleagues,
I have been reflecting on some of the exceptional opportunities that the BCPVPA has to collaborate with colleagues in our sector, both at home and at a distance. That has been exemplified through two recent connection opportunities with groups and individuals who care deeply about supporting our students in their success.
Brian and Magdalena with BCSTA President, Carolyn Broady; BCSTA CEO,
Suzanne Hoffman; BCSTA Vice-President, Tracy Loffler
The first opportunity was close to home, with the BC School Trustees Association (BCSTA) annual meeting and AGM in Vancouver, April 18 and 19. It was wonderful to network proactively with our BCSTA Board members, Superintendent colleagues, and other sector partners at this event that featured some very rich and important content. The full attention of the room was captured by a very moving presentation from a panel of Indigenous students – with their teacher Matt Chenowyth – from Britannia Secondary in Vancouver, as they spoke about the importance of being able to learn their language, their successes and their hopes for the future. We also heard from a powerhouse panel of BC politicians – the Honourable Rachna Singh, Minister of Education and Child Care; Sonia Furstenau, MLA and Green Party Leader; and Elenore Sturko, MLA and Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Addiction, Recovery and Education – who addressed some very key questions about education.
In my role as BCPVPA President, I have the honour of serving on the organizing committee for the annual Canadian Association of Principals (CAP) Conference, taking place in Toronto this week. CAP’s objectives focus on three main themes: Communication Advocacy Presence. Each of these important themes has been woven through the event and its programming.
It has been an amazing opportunity for connection with our colleagues from across the country, and an absolute whirlwind! Highlights have included engaging workshops and presentations from Dr. Simon Breakspear on ‘Rethinking Resistance’ and ‘The Pruning Principle’, along with the science of shifting adult behaviour with some very practical ideas for application. In these presentations, BCPVPA Acting Executive Director Magdalena Kassis, PLD Director Peter Johnston and I traced the many connections and alignment with our own 2023-2026 Strategic Plan, with the focus on ways to improve wellness, and to embed respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion in our work. We were also fortunate to hear Niiggan Sinclair speaking on Visions of Education from Canada's Indigenous Centre, from his writings on the resilience of Indigenous peoples, with the story of Winnipeg as an illuminating theme.
BCPVPA Board Directors Jackie Borosa (SD68, Nanaimo-Ladysmith), and Navshina Savory (SD38, Richmond); Magdalena and Brian; Peter Johnston, Director, Professional Learning and Development
When I travel to visit Chapters here in BC, school visits are often a highlight, and the CAP Conference also presented this great opportunity to sample school life in another province. And – like Chapter visits – the best moments have been when we can meet and network with colleagues from across the country, like our counterparts from the Ontario Principals’ Council (OPC) and the Public School Administrators Association of Nova Scotia (PSAANS). I have been especially pleased to encounter some of our BCPVPA members here in Toronto, and to have the chance to connect with local colleagues in this dynamic conference setting. There will be much learning and discussion to bring back to BC!
Great connections with BCPVPA members
and BC friends at CAP 20204!
Have a great weekend,
Brian
Bleonard@bcpvpa.bc.ca