About Learning Forward BC
A Professional Learning Network
– Affiliated with Learning Forward
Learning Forward, formerly the National Staff Development Council [NSDC], is an international association of learning educators committed to one purpose in K-12 education: Every educator engages in effective professional learning every day so every student achieves. The name is noteworthy: learning is first, reminding us that learning is at the heart of our purpose and that learning creates our future; forward signifies forward action as we address adult learning, policy and advocacy, research and practice in order to ensure quality professional learning that impacts student learning.
The Learning Forward BC affiliate, [formerly the National Staff Development Council of BC (SDCBC)], is a cross-role educator group – a network who park their titles at the door. The affiliate supports those who research, teach,support and facilitate adult professional learning. We bring content, your context, tools, and high-quality process to the table, using the Learning Forward Standards for Professional Learning as a foundation of our work.
Professional Learning Research based on the following British Columbia and Canadian Research.
CanadaStudyExecSumm2016 final copy
This work aligns with the Learning Forward Standards for Professional Learning.
Goals of Learning Forward BC
- To explore and develop a shared understanding of learning in the 21st Century
- To provide support for leadership in/of professional learning leaders by:
- Exploring intentions and responsibilities across different roles
- Engaging leaders in effective strategies to build and sustain capacity in schools and districts
- To expand the Learning Forward BC networks through:
- Engaging and building partnerships
- Connecting with ‘thought leaders’
- Growing our virtual community
Learning Forward BC has a focus on :
- Promoting the Professional Learning Dimensions for Canada as stated in the Canadian Study Research on Professional Learning 2016
- Aligning with Learning Forward Standards for Professional Learning
- Providing forums to engage others in relevant conversations about topics of keen interest by marrying research with innovative practice
- Sharing expertise and experiences in effective professional learning that enhances student learning
- Promoting and facilitating networking among those who teach, train, and facilitate adult professional learning
- Collaborating and providing tools to support quality professional learning
Learning Forward BC Board of Directors: 2020-2021
Executive
Chair: Suzanne Elliott, Consultant, and Sunshine Coast, BC srichards.elliott@gmail.com
Vice-Chair: Executive Committee
Secretary: Sandra Lynne Shortall, Director of Instruction, West Vancouver Schools sshortall@wvschools.ca
Treasurer: Audrey Hobbs Johnson, Consultant, North Vancouver audreyhj@shaw.ca
Professional Learning , April Lowe, BCTF Local President, Sea to Sky School District lp48@bctf.ca
Membership: Trudean Andrews, Retired, West Vancouver taandrews@shaw.ca
Communications: Audrey Hobbs Johnson audreyhj@shaw.ca
Members at Large
Reno Ciofli: Assistant Superintendent, Coquitlam School District Rciolfi@sd43.bc.ca
Ian Kennedy: Director of Instruction, West Vancouver Schools Ikennedy@wvschools.ca
Andrea McComb: District Principal, Coquitlam Schools District AMcComb@sd43.bc.ca
Amelia Poitras: Vice-Principal, North Vancouver School District apoitras@sd44.ca
Beth Applewhite: District Vice-Principalm Equity, Diversity and Inclusion beth.applewhite@burnabyschools.ca
Riley Mcmitchell, Vice-Principal, George Weir Elementary School rmcmitchell@vsb.bc.ca
David Manual: District Principal, Inclusion, Chilliwack School District David_manuel@sd33.bc.ca
Corrine McCabe: Retired Superintendent, Chilliwack School District mccabecor@gmail.com
Richard Stewart, Richmond School District rsteward@sd38.bc.ca
Marie Ratcliffe, Richmond School District mratcliffe@sd38.bc.ca
ADVISOR
Steve Cardwell: PRESIDENT, LEARNING FORWARD INTERNATIONAL
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Assistant Dean, Kwantlen polytechnic University, Surrey, BC scardwell@telus.net
Working Committees
Leadership Chair, Sue Elliott
Professional Learning Chair, April Lowe,
Sandralynn Shortall, Ian Kennedy, David Manuel , Lynn Chartres, AndreaMcComb, Marie Ratcliffe
Membership/Engagement Chair, Trudean Andrews
Amelia Poitras, Beth Applewhite, Riley Mcmitchell, Richard Stewart
Communication Chair Audrey Hobbs- Johnson, Corinne McCabe, Reno Ciolfi
Operations: Audrey Hobbs Johnson, Corinne McCabe
Partnerships, the BC Collaborative: Chair, Audrey Hobbs Johnson
Note: LFBC hold the funds for the BC Collaborative in a special trust fund

Sue Elliott
President
Consultant
Lives in Sechelt

Audrey Hobbs Johnson
Communications Coordinaator
Consultant
North Vancouver

Lynn Chartres
Member at Large
Principal
Choices Independent School

Trudean Andrews
Membership Coordinator
Consultant
North Vancouver

Ian Kennedy
Member at Large
Director of Instruction
West Vancouver

Riley Mcmitchell
Member at Large
Vice-Principal, George Weir Elementary
Vancouver School District

Sandra-Lynn Shortall
Secretary
District Principal
West Vancouver School District
Steve Cardwell
Advisor
President, Learning Forward Board of Trustees
Delta, BC

Reno Ciolfi
Member at Large
Assistant Superintendent
Coquitlam School District

Beth Applewhite
Member At Large
District Vice-Principal , Equity,Diversity and Inclusion
Burnaby School District
April Lowe
Professional Learning
Local BCTF President
Sea to Sky School District

Andrea McComb
Member at Large
District Administrator
Coquitlam

Amelia Poitras
Member At Large
Vice- Principal
North Vancouver

Corinne McCabe
Member At Large
Superintendent( Retired)
Chilliwack

David Manuel
Member At Large
Director of Instruction
Chilliwack

Richard Stewart
Member at Large
Director of Instuction
Richmond

Marie Ratcliffe
Member at Large
District Administrator
Richmond