BCSTA AGM 2012

Pulling Together 2011 (Me and the Honourable Steven Point)

Life is full of opportunities.  In this photo, I was fortunate to be a part of the 2011 Pulling Together Canoe Journey on the West Coast of Vancouver Island.  On this journey, the Lieutenant Governor Steven Point joined fleet and paddled amongst us for a day.  As we waited for protocol to depart, the canoes lined up side-by-side such that I was sitting beside the Honorable Steven Point.  He is a super nice guy.  This was a memorable moment.  At this time, I was also taking a graduate studies course at SFU with his wife, Gwen Point.  She is a delight and another memorable experience.  As you know, good things do come in three.  This year, I attended my first BCSTA AGM, that is, the BC School Trustees’ Association Annual General Meeting, and the Honorable Steven Point spoke to the delegates in the opening ceremony.  His story was absolutely amazing.  Thank you so much.

I am still considered a “new trustee.”  It’s been 5 months since I was elected and I am enjoying every minute of it.  I love working with the 2011-2014 Board of Education and SD46 senior management team.  I am learning so much about public education in terms of governance, policy, and process.  I am meeting people who I would not have met had I not been a school trustee.  And, being a school trustee has given me a different perspective on public education that is different from being a public school teacher.  Well, the experience as a local politician, so far, has exceeded my expectations.

The 108th BCSTA AGM 2012 was my first BCSTA AGM as a school trustee.  Loved it.  It was a phenomenal event.  The theme of the event was Aboriginal Education, titled “Honouring Traditional Learning in the 21st Century: A Journey of Discovery.”  The 4-day event begins with the Opening Plenary Thursday evening, Professional Development all-day Friday, the AGM all-day Saturday, and unfinished business and/or committee meetings on Sunday.  I attended the first 3 days of the BCSTA AGM and left Sunday morning.  I met so many people, listened to so many stories.  Much learned.

Some highlights… The event opens with students from School District No.92 (Nisga’a) drumming, singing, and dancing.  The children even sang O’Canada in their native language.  Loved it!  As mentioned earlier, the Lieutenant Governor Steven Point addressed the delegates with a beautiful story of his educational experience as a First Nations student in BC public education to be followed by the stories shared by keynote speaker, Dr. Evan Adams.  Dr. Adams’s academic history and life experiences are diverse, dramatic, and inspirational.  Thank you both for sharing.  On the following day, I had the pleasure of listening to Dr. Lorna Williams from the University of Victoria and a panel of Aboriginal educators from North Vancouver, Haida Gwaii, and Kamloops.  Thank you all!

Aside from various speakers who addressed the delegates throughout the weekend, the AGM portion of the weekend was also productive, enlightening, and very enjoyable.  It was great to see the delegates vote for (or against) motions put forward and debate.  The SD46 Board of Education Chair, Silas White, was “the closer” of the AGM as one of the Deputy Chairs.  He did an excellent job utilizing Robert’s Rules and keeping the delegates in order.  Well done, Silas.  At last, I would also like to mention Trustee Lori Pratt from SD46 who put her name forward to as one of the 8 candidates for the position of Director of BCSTA.  Although she did not make the final 5, Lori’s speech was thoughtful, well-spoken, and reflective of the conference.  She, too, did a great job.

Thank you BCSTA Staff, the BCSTA Education Committee, and BCSTA Aboriginal Education Committee for organizing and creating such a wonderful event.  All my relations.