Newsletter September - bcpvpa

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create a shared purpose in learning. ... create in our schools: people putting learning first through ... The theme for
PROFESSIONAL! LEARNING News From Skeena By Woody Bradford, Jessica Antosz, and Kim Maxwell

On Sunday, August 17th, we arrived in Prince Rupert to work with the Skeena Cohort on the 2014/2015 Supervision for Learning project. Susan Kobza and Sheila Wells, principals in Prince Rupert, supported and hosted us. They were helpful, kind and thoughtful so that we could have a couple of successful days with the presentations. Both days were full of conversations about how we create a culture of learning within our schools and across our districts. People shared their knowledge and stories that connected to practical application and research of both the successes and barriers we face in trying to establish the foundation for a

culture in which learning is front and centre. On Day 1, we focused on Clarifying Purpose - how we come to a starting point for learning together. Working from the BCPVPA Standards as an

anchor point (LOL - yes, we were in Prince Rupert!) we quickly began to see the processes we needed to go through and to reflect upon to create a shared purpose in learning. From there we

Skeena Supervision For Learning

September 2014 moved into how we create a culture of shared values and beliefs around actions that clarify language in an organization where learning is the focus. Participants established the vision for the ideal environment in which learners will be successful. Day 1 was topped off with delving into a plan of action around Learning Walks, a coaching approach to leadership that was guided again by the BCPVPA Standards. We were able to create a process of action through discussions about what this looks like in our reality. The insight the cohort provided was outstanding and it got everything off to such a positive start.

More From Skeena…

Kudos to Leanna Garner for her work with the Mission Principals’ and Vice Principals’ Association and Senior Management. Leanna represented the BCVPA Professional Learning Team. She presented the one day workshop that is an overview of Supervision For Learning.

After Day 1 you could feel the positive energy in the room. This energy allowed for many open and honest conversations between folks. It was a joy for us, as presenters, to be working with principals, vice principals, district staff and senior management who all reflected the culture we are all trying to create in our schools: people putting learning first through actions with a common purpose, shared values and a guiding vision. Day 2 was an opportunity to build skills and strategies. The theme for the day was Organizational Change. Working in a triad with colleagues, the focus was on acquiring skills in listening and sharing questions that were reflective of inquiry and related to our day’s theme. Participants listened actively to each other as they worked in collaboration to come up with a plan for the year. It was rewarding that people left excited about what lies ahead for the upcoming year, even though we knew things were going to be difficult. The feeling of collaboration which came out of our two days on the Supervision for Learning project was a sign that we were going to be able to support each other regardless of the barriers. We are excited about coming back to Prince Rupert and Terrace to continue with the Skeena Cohort. The entire Professional Learning Team of the BCPVPA would like to thank them for a wonderful start to the program. !

‘CAP’ Success - Sign Up For It You have probably seen and heard the information coming out about the upcoming CAP conference at Whistler in May 2015. We got a chance to visit the venue at the Fairmont Chateau and we were impressed. The opportunity to learn with other colleagues from around the province and the country is a career experience that people will not forget. We have a great line up of keynote speakers ready to share their thoughts, expertise, and ideas. This will lead to many wonderful collaborative conversations about leadership and the impact it has in our schools. As we are the host province, there will be no better time for us to come together as principals and viceprincipals and make connections with each other to celebrate the great work we are doing for students. It is amazing the support we are receiving from sponsors all over our nation so we can have this opportunity. Three large sponsors are already stepping up, Overwaitea, Best Buy and Lifetouch plan to help us make this a wonderful event for everyone. Please take time to book the dates and be one of the first to register as the CAP conference will be coming soon!

Mental Health Symposium Don’t forget to register for the Mental Health

Symposium on Oct. 24th, 2014. Click here to register.

Can you find the BCPVPA Owl?

Skeena

Below are books that link to the BCPVPA Standards

Quote For Learning…Send us your best quote about learning and we will add it to our October Newsletter

Success  is  not  the  result  of   spontaneous  combus3on,  you   need  to  set  yourself  on  fire! ~ Harold Krische BCPVPA Manager of Legal and Contract Team   Some fun opening questions to get people talking and engaged before starting a meeting. Gives people time to have table talk, share their responses with the larger group and ‘break the ice’ before the meeting begins. If you could sit on a bench in a beautiful woods, who would you like sitting next to you on the bench and why?

If your workplace was a tree, what kind of a tree would it be and why?

What characteristic do you value the most in your coworkers?

What is the single most significant factor, that your organization controls, that is fuelling your success?