Driving Change

"He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery."
Harold Wilson


The pace of change in today's world is staggering, and our educational system, designed on an industrial model, has recently begun to meet this change head-on... perhaps even begun to embrace change.  However, systemic change is difficult. For some, the need to change will often suggest there is something "wrong" with what we are doing, rather than an acknowledgement that change is part of progress... a part of all of our ongoing personal growth. Indeed, change is part of all of our individual voyages of discovery.

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a forum facilitated by Micheal Fullan, Valerie Hannon and Tony Mackay, where much of the discussion focussed on the right and wrong drivers of change, based on Fullan's article, "Choosing the Wrong Drivers".  I left the conversation with optimism on a number of fronts.

First of all, it is encouraging that, as a jurisdiction, we are looking at successful drivers of change while we are still considered high performing. Others have taken a more reactionary route. By entering the conversation we give notice of our desire to part of change, an agent of change even, rather than a victim of it, or the aforementioned cemetery.

Secondly, I am encouraged when the elements Fullan describes as essential to successful systemic change,  are foundational practices in the Bulkley Valley. Our District values social capital while working with our professionals to engage in activities that build capacity and deepen learning experiences and opportunities for teachers and learners alike.

This is not to suggest our school district is the finished product or that we have all the answers. We are not and do not. However, I do believe it suggests we are well positioned as an organization to ensure our youth emerge with the necessary skills and attributes of an educated citizen in the 21st century.

Welcome Back!!

What an exciting time of year. One of the things I miss most is the thrill and energy of students at the start of a new school year, so I was delighted to participate in a District school tour with our Board Chair and Assistant Superintendent last week.  Buildings were filled with wide eyes, smiles and happy feet! As I watched the energy of the children, I was reminded of the proverb, "From small beginnings come great things."

Our maintenance and custodial crews have done their usual sensational work in preparing our facilities.  Beyond the many visible projects completed, one less visible, yet mammoth project, needs mention here. Smithers Secondary had a massive boiler overhaul, resulting in a significant technical upgrade with environmental benefits through carbon reduction, while increasing cost efficiency.

Over the course of the day we had tour guides from Lake Kathlyn highlight aspects of their school, including their Code of Conduct.  Walnut Park showed off their new "Welcoming Blanket",

while Muheim was proud of their new asphalt playing surface.  Both Silverthorne and Twain Sullivan had significant staff changes and it was an excellent opportunity to meet them  Houston Secondary was pleased with their new video conferencing technology, allowing their students to enroll in Psychology through NWCC in Smithers, as well as opening many other education possibilities. Smithers Secondary has also made technological strides with a significant restructuring of their DL (Distributed Learning) program, under the guidance of District Principal, Matthew Monkman.

As we look ahead to the school year, many exciting opportunities exist for our students.  All levels of our organization have made this start-up an exciting success, and it is a reminder, perhaps now more than ever, that teamwork in education matters.