President’s Message: A New Beginning 
August 28, 2026

Welcome back, colleagues.

There is something special about late August in British Columbia. The days are noticeably shorter, and school buildings that sat quietly through the summer begin to stir again. Enjoy the easy access to premium parking spaces and the photocopy machines, as competition for both will only increase over the next few weeks. This is also when I feel most confident that I will maintain my daily limit of two cups of coffee, a level I have been cruising at for the past six weeks. 

As the son of a teacher, I have lived my whole life in sync with the dynamics of our BC school year. Growing up in Prince George, summer was always a time to pack up the station wagon and visit our family in the lower mainland and Victoria. Those of my vintage will remember that our June report cards contained passes to the PNE and the Royal BC Museum: I was lucky that most years I was able to use both.

In recent history, I know that summer can also bring great challenges. I hope that all of our members who were evacuated or affected by wildfires are well and in good health. I know that many of you will return to schools where students and families have been impacted in some way. Take good care of yourselves as you lead your communities through this challenge, and know that we are here to support you.

As I begin my first year as President of the BCPVPA, I do so with a deep sense of gratitude and optimism. The start of a school year has always felt like one of education's greatest gifts: the opportunity for renewal. No matter what challenges the previous year may have brought, September invites us to begin again. It offers fresh possibilities, new relationships, and a renewed commitment to the students, staff, and communities we serve.

At the end of June, the Board convened in Kelowna to interview candidates and select our new Executive Director. I am pleased that we were able to hire Magdalena Kassis.  Magdalena has been invaluable to our Association over the last number of years as she has filled in as Acting Executive Director, and Deputy Executive Director, while maintaining her position as a Director of Member Support Services. 

Magdalena and I spent time in July planning how we would work together and I am very excited about working with her over the next two years towards the goals in our Strategic Plan.

While in Kelowna, I attended a two-day workshop on Compassionate Systems Leadership along with some of our staff. This was a deep learning experience and a great opportunity to get to know our professional and talented team at the BCPVPA.

Like many of you, my first experience with the BCPVPA was Foundations for New School Leaders (previously “Short Course”). This program has a special place in my heart and over the years I have been honoured to be a table facilitator many times. Each opportunity enabled me to build relationships with leaders in many different positions from across the province. This year, the FIFA World Cup events in Vancouver required the BCPVPA to make a move from our traditional UBC campus location. Our staff transitioned the program to UBC Okanagan in Kelowna, and it went very smoothly. This transition has opened a natural opportunity to discuss how we want Foundations to look in the future to ensure we continue to meet member needs, and we will be seeking member voice in this conversation. I look forward to all of our new members having an opportunity for learning and connection that will hold a special place in their own hearts.

The first thing that Magdalena and I worked on was the plan for the annual Board of Directors retreat. We returned this year to Whistler, as this location provides the opportunity for representatives from the Ministry of Education and Child Care to meet with the Board in person. Over the last few years, we have strengthened our relationship with the Ministry; this year, I feel we have reached a point where we can make ongoing commitments that will benefit all our members across the province. The minister, Honourable Lisa Beare, brought her whole team and engaged in honest conversations with the Board about our common goals in BC schools. I can share that the Ministry is very aware of the leadership you provide in schools and the challenges you face daily.  Solutions are never quick or easy, but I do know there is a commitment to work together with our Association on these challenges.

Because our elections are for half of our Board each year, there is a natural renewal cycle with new Directors joining each year. Every Board member brings unique perspectives and strengths to the table, and it is important to take some time at the beginning of the year to learn how we can make the most of our time together in service of members. The retreat offers a focused space for these new connections, and I am very excited to work with this Board as we embark on our new Strategic Plan this fall.

I wish you all the best as you return to your positions or start new positions. You will make the most of the opportunities and challenges you face because you were chosen to be leaders. The fact that you are both excited and nervous shows that you are probably exactly where you need to be. The excitement reflects your passion for the work. The trepidation reflects your understanding of its importance. Leadership is rarely about having all the answers on day one. More often, it is about building relationships, asking thoughtful questions, and learning alongside the people you serve.

Regardless of where you are, lean on your network of colleagues both locally and provincially. You work in a province with thousands of leaders just like you, experiencing the same challenges.

That spirit of connection is one of the defining strengths of the BCPVPA.

As educational leaders, we know that successful schools are not built by individuals working in isolation. They are built by people working together with purpose, trust, and a shared commitment to student success. Every September, I am reminded that optimism is not simply a feeling. It is a leadership practice. We create it through our actions, our words, and our belief in the potential of others.

On behalf of the BCPVPA Board of Directors and staff, I wish you a smooth start-up, and a successful school year.

Sid Jawanda
President, BCPVPA

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