Trajectory

It’s that time again… the annual election of the BCSTA Board of Directors. The call out for nominees was made and BCSTA members have until the end of March to submit their names. I remained undecided in 2016 if I would run again in 2017. It was already being discussed amongst BCSTA board members who would run for the 2017/18 election. The president of BCSTA had announced that 2016/17 would be her last year. Succession planning was in the minds of many and conversations ensued.

The first time I put my name forward for director in 2013/14, I lost. It was a close race and a great experience. I was elected in the following year and this is my third years as director in 2016/17. I knew that I wanted to run for a third year to support the leadership of the BCSTA president but also provide some expertise, enthusiasm, and edu-value (whatever that means). I knew that I did not want to run for a fourth year as director. I have learned what I wanted to learn and it would be a time for change.

Vice-president??? President??? Or get out… I needed time to assess the situation and determine what role I wanted to play in 2017/18. Many factors play into my decision making such as completing my dissertation, my career in education (aside from trusteeship), and my family. Other factors included what else I could contribute to BCSTA and what direction BCSTA members want to take. We are a diverse organization with varied points of view. This would be the case because boards of education represent the diverse communities in our province. It’s a given.

The past three years on the BCSTA Board of Directors has been interesting. A change in CEO, change in staff, change in Ministers of Education, change in deputy ministers, change in membership… and change in relationships. Change can be glacial, but perceived change can be catalytic or toxic. Change that supported student learning, good governance, and trustee education was change that I wholeheartedly believed in. Advocacy was quiet, strategic, and effective. This was not every members preferred style of advocacy but I believe that we did a great job advocating for local school boards and students… and continue to do so. Our diversity is our strength.

I am proud of the work we have accomplished. I’ve been on my pedagogical journey for six and a half years and it’s time for me to make a decision. We just had our February 2017 Provincial Council meeting in Vancouver and members of the board and members of the organization were declaring their candidacy for 2017/18. Two put their name forward for president, one for vice-president, two to return as incumbents, two new candidates for director, and the current president stepping down to become the past president. I was the only director to remain undecided.

The answer was not obvious for me. As mentioned, lots of factors were influencing my decision. I was undecided at Provincial Council and overwhelmed by some of the nominations. What role did I want to play in the BCSTA? As director, I’ve enjoyed liaising with the VISTA and Metro Branches, as well as the BCSTA Education Committee and BCSTA Legislative Committee. I loved representing BCSTA on the Provincial Curriculum Standing Committee and working on the new BCSTA Trustee Curriculum soon to be called “The Learning Guide.” I am satisfied with this work.

I have outgrown my role as director, but was I ready to be President? Being vice-president, at this point in time, was not an option. I considered the options and variables that would influence my decision one way or the other. There will be new leadership at BCSTA to be decided at AGM in April 2017. I made my decision.

I will not be running in the 2017/18 BCSTA Board of Directors Election.