I am happy to be sharing the first President’s Bulletin for 2023. It’s hard to believe how much has happened around the world during the past three years.
In March of 2020 we were hearing about a new virus that was spreading rapidly, creating confusion and prompting strict public health measures. In the weeks that followed, we saw the resilience and adaptability of our educators and education partners. The world was in lockdown, but we knew that students across the country needed to continue learning. Remote learning platforms and curriculum were established and everyone did their very best to support students. It was a hectic time in education.
From the uncertainty of the pandemic, we saw numerous gaps in education become glaringly obvious. The Canadian School Boards Association has vocally supported the need for improved connectivity in communities. We continue to call on elected officials and levels of government to make this a priority as it directly affects the delivery of quality public education.
Other inadequacies were also highlighted during the pandemic, including youth mental health supports. The CSBA Comprehensive School Health Work Team has made mental health a priority, and has had the opportunity to speak to senior government officials federally and at the provincial levels about this vital service. We will continue this work.
The work of the CSBA would not be possible without the expert support of our Executive Director. In November, Nancy PynchWorthylake took a leave of absence to fill a role in the education sector of her home province of Nova Scotia, and Mike Roberts joined us as interim Executive Director. Mike is a familiar face for many as he retired from the British Columbia School Trustees Association as CEO. The transition has been very smooth, and we are looking forward to working with Mike over the next year.
Since the start of the 2022-23 school year, I have had the opportunity to meet virtually and in person with a number of member associations and education partners. A particular highlight was the opportunity to attend the BCSTA New Trustee Orientation & Academy in Vancouver in early December 2022. Much like my own province of Manitoba, BC had trustee elections in the fall of 2022 and it was so uplifting to engage with the hundreds of new and returning trustees to learn about the various priorities for both local boards in BC, but also the various provincial priorities of BCSTA.
As you read through the bulletin you will learn about the work being done by our committees and work teams. During our most recent board of directors’ meetings in Winnipeg in February, I was reminded yet again of the level of commitment our members have to supporting students and public education in Canada. As the President of Manitoba School Boards Association, I was proud to host our CSBA board at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, along with an incredible visit to Agowiidiwinan Centre at The Forks, which is a new immersive education experience created by the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba.
I am proud to be among these advocates, and I appreciate all of the work being done not only by our board of directors, but by the provincial associations as well. Please enjoy this edition of the bulletin.
Sincerely,
Alan Campbell, President