I still remember the phone call. It was just after 8:00 pm, and my then-Superintendent was letting me know I was the successful candidate for the position of Vice-Principal at a local middle school. I recall being incredibly excited and then, almost as quickly, thinking:

“I got the job… now what?”

That was many moons ago, but the learning from those first years as a school leader continues to shape my practice each and every day. And what I have learned through those years is that leadership is not simply a promotion. It is the beginning of a new story.

Leafing through the pages of my own story, I have moved from Middle School Vice-Principal, to Secondary Vice-Principal, District Principal, International School Principal, Elementary Principal, and now provincial leadership through the BCPVPA. Personal growth has come through taking courses, reading countless books, listening to podcasts and lectures, completing my doctoral dissertation, and time spent alongside students, staff, families, and communities. Additional duties as assigned? Chaperoning high school dances, international excursions, coaching teams, supervision schedules, school concerts, difficult conversations, moments of celebration, moments of utter heartbreak, and indelible relationships with children, caregivers, colleagues, and fellow leaders. 

Principals and Vice-Principals stand in the centre of the education system, supporting students, staff, and families while navigating district priorities, Ministry initiatives, operational realities, and the ever-changing complexities of schools and communities. It is meaningful work, deeply human work, and at times incredibly challenging work.

For many new and aspiring school leaders across British Columbia, their next chapter begins very soon at the BCPVPA Foundations for New School Leaders program at UBC Okanagan in Kelowna from July 2 – 4. If you or a leader you know would like to learn with Dr. Peter Senge, the BC Compassionate Systems Leadership Network’s Practitioner Team, and our BCPVPA team, registration is open.   

Foundations is intentionally designed for Vice-Principals and Principals in their first two to five years of leadership, as they begin to shape what comes next. The learning extends beyond “how to do the job”, and creates space for participants to reflect on who they are becoming as leaders and the impact they hope to have on the people around them.

One of the central ideas woven throughout the Foundations learning is an exploration of the Leadership Competencies through Compassionate Systems Leadership practices.

Schools are living systems made up of people, relationships, emotions, histories, and stories. A compassionate leader moves beyond simply solving problems and focuses on creating the conditions where students, staff, families, and communities can thrive together.

The way we lead helps shape the stories students tell themselves about belonging. Our leadership lets students know that belonging is not earned; it begins the moment they walk onto school grounds. The way we lead helps families understand they are valued partners in their children’s learning journey. The way we lead lets staff know they are trusted, supported, and cared for. Leadership shapes the stories that people share about schools.

Programs like Foundations matter because leadership can feel isolating in the early years. Newer leaders often believe they need to have every answer immediately. Foundations reminds participants that leadership is learned in community, through relationships, reflection, mentorship, and conversation.

And perhaps most importantly, it reminds new leaders they are connected and supported by 2,700 colleagues who are doing similar jobs both in rural and remote communities and in large metropolitan urban schools.

The BCPVPA remains deeply committed to supporting leaders at every stage of their journey, and Foundations is one of the many ways we invest in the growth, confidence, and well-being of educational leaders across the province. 

Although my current role come to a close in July, my story will move on and the foundational learning from those early years will endure as guidance to my practice.

Let the learning continue.

Onwards,
Shannon

Dr. Shannon Behan
sbehan@bcpvpa.bc.ca