Greetings colleagues,

It has been good for the heart to work from my home in Prince George this week. After spending so much time travelling and connecting with colleagues around the province and country, I have appreciated the chance to be back with family and friends and, of course, my dogs. They have been excellent company, although I am not sure they fully understand why I spend so much time talking to people on a screen.

Last week, I had the honour of working alongside members at our Member Well-being and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee meetings. Both meetings brought together members from across the province and created opportunities for deep conversations about our members and our work. I am grateful for the commitment and passion that our members bring to this work, and for the skill with which our Directors as Co-Chairs encouraged and guided those conversations.

Advisory committees give members an opportunity to share their experiences and perspectives, ask questions, and provide advice and guidance to your Board on our Strategic Plan and the operationalization of the plan. The conversations help ensure that our decisions are connected to the realities of Principals and Vice-Principals throughout the province, and I am looking forward to the remaining Advisory Committee meetings this year. Next week we will have both our Chapter Presidents meeting and Chapter Council meeting. This will provide additional ways for the Board to capture member voice and experiences from around the province.

I also attended the BCSSA Fall Symposium last week. The learning about systemic transformation was rich but the real value for me was the engagement in conversations with our sector partners. These opportunities to come together help us better understand one another’s perspectives, identify the challenges we share, and consider how we can work together to support you and the school communities in which you lead.

It was great to see BCPVPA members attending as part of their district teams. I have also noticed a strong presence from our Island districts at recent BCPVPA events and again at the BCSSA Symposium. Our Island colleagues are setting a high bar for participation and connection!

This week, I had the privilege of attending the Remembrance Day assembly at College Heights Secondary School in Prince George. Principal Kelsey McWhinnie and Vice-Principal Dylan Clifford should be proud of the student-led assembly, and of the respect shown by the entire school. The care the students put into the assembly, and the attention of everyone gathered, made it a meaningful opportunity to pause and remember.

Kelsey McWhinnie and Dylan Clifford with Sid Jawanda

Remembrance Day and Indigenous Veterans Day are times to honour those who served, those who continue to serve, and those who gave their lives in times of war and conflict. It is also a time to reflect on the impact of service and sacrifice on families and communities.

For me, remembrance is also personal. I owe so much to this country for the opportunities it provided my family. The life my parents were able to build here, and the opportunities that followed for their children, are gifts I do not take for granted. The greatest of these gifts has been a public education that allowed each of us to pursue and achieve our dreams. I am grateful to the veterans whose service and sacrifices helped protect all these freedoms we enjoy.

Remembrance also invites us to consider our responsibilities today. As educators and school leaders, we have an important role in supporting a strong democracy. Public schools bring young people – our future – together to learn, to ask questions, to listen to different perspectives, and to consider their responsibilities to one another. Strong democracies depend on strong public education systems, and on people who are willing to participate thoughtfully in their communities. The work you do every day to build inclusive school communities, encourage student voice, and help young people think critically contributes to the strength of our country and of those ideals which compelled the sacrifice of so many.

In reflecting upon your work and its impact, I encourage you to think as well about the future of our profession. Registration is now open for Explorations for Aspiring School Leaders, an opportunity for teachers who are curious about school leadership to learn more about the role and connect with colleagues. Think about the people in your school and community who might benefit from the program. Sometimes, a colleague sees leadership potential in us before we see it in ourselves. A conversation, a word of encouragement, or an invitation to explore what might be possible can make a lasting difference.

To everyone who helped create space for remembrance, learning, and connection this week: thank you. Your work matters, and I am grateful to be part of this community with you.

Have a great weekend.

Sid Jawanda
President, BCPVPA

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