LFBC President’s Message: August 2025
The FOCUS for the Learning Forward BC professional learning sessions for 2025-2026 builds on the successes of the previous year.
In reviewing the year’s professional learning sessions, during a Board meeting focused conversation themes that stood out were: identity, agency, belonging, relationship, connections, agility, deep understanding, honest conversations, ‘know who I am’, and enactment …
From the LFBC Partner Group session where some of our education partners discussed their professional learning goals for the year, the ‘voice’ of a student stands out in regard to his wish for his schooling: mental health, a sense of belonging, trust to speak out, connection, relationships. How might we best support voice and agency, for both students and educators? What knowledge, attitude, skills, aspirations and behaviors are required to create and sustain what is required for students and teachers to flourish?
Our program for the 2025/26 year is aligned to support educators in order to flourish during challenging times. To network and share their experiences. Of note, there is an in person session [January 15 in Nanaimo] where participants will explore what is required to create the conditions that the student in our partner group session ‘wished for’.
We hope that our colleagues have had a restful summer and are ready to begin the school year with a vision for sustaining their own well being, in order to be ‘present’ to address the needs of their students and staff. We look forward to meeting with you in our professional learning offerings.
Have a look at the calendar!
Learning Forward BC: Year at a Glance 2025–26
All sessions are online unless as otherwise noted.
Session times: 4:00–5:30 pm
Registration: learningforwardbc.ca
- 1. October 23, 2025
AI: The Important Things Teachers, Students, and Leaders Need to Be Thinking About – a two part series
With Cari Wilson
Session 1 – From Ethics to Efficiency – AI in the Classroom
In this session we will dive into what educators and students need to consider when using AI to support the teaching and learning in their classrooms.
- October 29, 2025
The Intersection of Human Flourishing and AI
With Rohan Arulpragasm, Chris Kennedy, and Rod Allen
Join Rod, Rohan and Chris for a lively discussion about the complex work of leading in a world where multiple and often competing priorities define our work.
- November 17, 2025
Book Club Session 1
“The Valley of the Birdtail: An Indian Reserve, A White Town, And the Road to Reconciliation” by Andrew Stobo Sniderman and Douglas Sanderson
Hosted by Trudean Andrews and Amelia Poitras, with a possible visit from the authors.
“Valley of the Birdtail” follows two generations of families, one from the Waywayseecappo Indian Reserve and the other from Rossburn, Manitoba and how they came together “ to create an uncommon measure of hope”.
- November 27, 2025
SD33 Chilliwack – One District’s Journey Toward Truth and Reconciliation – a two part series
Session 1 Lessons Learned
With Denise Augustine, David Manuel, Brenda Point, and Indigenous Student Voice and Agency team
Student, teachers and district and provincial leaders will examine the origins of this important work, the development of authentic Indigenous student voice and agency, and the challenges and opportunities along the way.
- January 15, 2026
Crafting Your Work for Wellbeing: Cultivating Flourishing Leadership in Schools
With Sabre Cherkowski, UBC Okanagan School of Education and Jessica Antosz
📍 In person at Nanaimo Golf Course
💲 $200 per person (includes dinner); groups of 4 or more $175 per person
Registration deadline December 1, 2025
Wellbeing in school matters for teachers, administrators, students, school and District staffs, Board of Trustees, and the school community members. From within our role, how can we create conditions to promote, encourage, and sustain well-being for self and others?
- February 9, 2026
Book Club Session 2: Is It Fair to Ask Students to Save the World?
Hosted by Trudean Andrews and Amelia Poitras
Michael Fullan in discussion with Rod Allen and Jal Mehta, talks about the present context and the steps in creating classrooms that look to students, reflecting what they care about. It is a timely discussion about leadership and student involvement in a changing world
- February 19, 2026
AI: The Important Things Teachers, Students, and Leaders Need to Be Thinking About – a two part series
With Cari Wilson
Session 2 – AI in Education – Revolution or Transformation?
AI has the power to impactfully change many of our institutions but how do we want to see this evolve? What decisions and tensions do we need to consider to ensure that we put students and learning at the forefront, while making sure that educators still feel relevant and included?
- April 30, 2026
SD33 Chilliwack – One District’s Journey Toward Truth and Reconciliation – a two part series
Session 2
With Denise Augustine, David Manuel, Brenda Point, and Dustin Louie (UBC)
Hear insights gained doing this work from staff, district and provincial leaders. Learn how academic research supports “relentless incremental” change.
May – TBD— Learning Forward BC Annual General Meeting
For more information or pre-registration contact audreyhj@shaw.ca.
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