&Leaders LearnersLearners The official magazine of the Canadian Association of School System Administrators Association canadienne des gestionnaires de commissions scolaires Summer 2022 Canada Post Mail Publications Agreement Number: 40609661 Reimagining EducationSummer 2022 5 | Summer 2022 | Summer 2022 PUBLISHED FOR: Canadian Association of School System Administrators / Association canadienne des gestionnaires de commissions scolaires 1123 Glenashton Drive Oakville, Ontario L6H 5M1 Tel: 905-845-4254 www.cassa-acgcs.ca PUBLISHED BY: Matrix Group Publishing Inc. Return all undeliverable addresses to: 309 Youville Street Winnipeg, Manitoba R2H 2S9 Toll-Free: (866) 999-1299 Toll-Free Fax: (866) 244-2544 www.matrixgroupinc.net Canada Post Mail Publications Agreement Number: 40609661 President & CEO: Jack Andress Operations Manager: Shoshana Weinberg sweinberg@matrixgroupinc.net Senior Publisher: Jessica Potter publishing@matrixgroupinc.net Editor-in-Chief: Shannon Savory ssavory@matrixgroupinc.net Senior Editor: Alexandra Kozub akozub@matrixgroupinc.net Editor/Social Media Manager: Jenna Collignon Finance/Administration: Lloyd Weinberg, Nathan Redekop accounting@matrixgroupinc.net Director of Circulation & Distribution: Lloyd Weinberg distribution@matrixgroupinc.net Sales Manager – Winnipeg: Neil Gottfred Sales Manager – Hamilton: Jeff Cash Sales Team Leader: Colleen Bell Matrix Group Publishing Inc. Account Executives: Andrew Lee, Brian MacIntyre, Frank Kenyeres, Jim Hamilton, Rob Gibson, John Price, Sandra Kirby, Tanina Di Piazza Advertising Design: James Robinson Layout & Design: Cody Chomiak ©2022 Matrix Group Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Matrix Group Publishing Inc. Printed in Canada. MESSAGES 7 A Message from the CASSA/ACGCS President 9 A Message from the CASSA/ACGCS Executive Director THEME: REIMAGINING EDUCATION 12 Student Engagement and Outdoor Learning 14 A Post-Pandemic Learning Journey 18 High-Impact Post-Pandemic Leadership: Reflections from a Northern Principal 22 Student Mental Health: What You Do Matters! 24 Reimagining Student Mental Health LEADERSHIP LEARNING 27 Students Tending the Fire: Transformative Leadership 30 INDEX TO ADVERTISERS Contents Advertise in Leaders & Learners Leaders & Learners is mailed to decision makers in the education industry all across Canada. To learn more about pricing, shape and size options, and special event distribution, email sales@matrixgroupinc.net or call (866) 999-1299. Summer 2022 7 out the best in people individually and collectively. Reimagining Education is our leadership focus, and the topic to turn everyone’s attention to, so that it can be explored positively and collaboratively. This won’t be easy given the accumulation of stress and exhaustion. Re-engaging our students effectively will require first that we re-engage ourselves and our education partners collaboratively and innovatively. Which is why I am excited about the innovative format of the Canadian Association of School System Administrators (CASSA) national gather- ing at The Algonquin Resort in St. Andrews By-the-Sea, New Brunswick, from July 6-8, 2022. This year’s leadership confer- ence theme is Reimagining Education and will focus on our need to re-connect and re-engage with colleagues. Rather than a series of keynotes and facilitated breakout sessions, the conference will focus on pro- viding participants with short, facilitated sessions to set the context, followed by structured time and opportunities to explore research and background materials on a handful of key themes. Michael Fullan recently identified six reasons to be optimistic about learning in 2022.1 He posits that “more powerful forms of learning are on the rise,” and that “diverse leadership will grow and pres- ent new benefits.” I appreciate the opti- mism, and I see this CASSA conference, which is designed to maximize education leader engagement and collaboration, as an opportunity to grow our leadership and present new benefits. Further, we have begun having National Roundtable meetings with representa- tives from the Canadian School Board Association (CSBA), Canadian Teachers Federation (CTF), Canadian Association of Principals (CAP), Assembly of First Nations (AFN), and others. Despite our separate mandates, we share in providing a quality education for students, and I am excited s we emerge from the pandemic, I find myself searching for clarity with how best to proceed in a way that maximizes well- being and learning for all our students in these unique times. I was much more certain before the pandem- ic about what was important in the com- munities and schools with which I work. Amongst other world issues such as global warming and social unrest, the pandemic disrupted and changed the world, and has also unsettled my education leadership thought process. On the plus side, the virus provided us a jolt from the pre-pandemic system of education that was already struggling and worsening in regard to student well- ness and engagement. We knew there were issues with the education system prior to the pandemic, but the pandemic provided the kick needed for the system to pivot, learn, and implement alternate learning environments and technologies, by neces- sity and in haste. However, the pandemic also highlight- ed and exacerbated the inequities (food security, access to Internet communica- tions and learning opportunities, etc.), increased staff absences (stay home if you have a symptom), and increased student absenteeism (it’s now habit for many, and more acceptable, not to go to school). We massaged our education system through the pandemic as best we could, but these societal and health related impacts on the education system still linger. So, where to from here? How do we reinvigorate the important and effective elements of the pre-pandemic education system, and embrace the current need and opportuni- ties for change and improvement, to ensure equity and excellence for each student? One thing I am certain about is the purpose of leadership: to be optimistic about the future, and to empower and bring A Curtis Brown CASSA/ACGCS President about the possibility that our collective influence might help to bring about positive change in areas of common interest. Upon reflection of the work we do in our association, it is reassuring to know that we are identifying and addressing issues that are common in education across the country. I look forward to seeing you in New Brunswick and sharing and learn- ing with you. Curtis Brown CASSA/ACGCS President | Message from the CASSA/ACGCS President | How do we reinvigorate the important and effective elements of the pre- pandemic education system, and embrace the current need and opportunities for change and improvement, to ensure equity and excellence for each student? Reference 1. New Pedagogies for Deep Learning: A Global Partnership. “Our Purpose.” https://deep-learning.global/.Summer 2022 9 elcome to the Summer 2022 issue of Leaders & Learners mag- azine! The Canadian Association of School System Administrators (CASSA) has established its purpose: strength- ening the capacity of senior school system lead- ers through national dialogue and professional learning; and its vision: equity and excellence in education for each learner. The CASSA e-newsletters and this maga- zine are very intentionally called Leaders and Learners. Each of you, as a CASSA member, is a leader and a learner in your respec- tive school district/division/board/education council. CASSA, through its webinar opportu- nities, newsletters, magazines, and annual leadership conference helps to ensure that you as school system leaders can continue to learn, share, and grow together as members of our national association. One of the ways in which I continue to learn is by being a member of the AASA, the School Superintendents Association. My membership includes a subscription to AASA School Administrator, a maga- zine that offers insights and commentary from American school system leaders. A recent issue included articles on “Student Integration.” AASA President, Paul Imhoff contributed his thoughts and reflections Ken Bain CASSA/ACGCS Executive Director on Equity in Education. One excerpt from his piece resonated with me as I reflect on how CASSA and its members support equity and excellence for each learner: “As educators, we understand that equity is what truly reflects our moral imperative to care for each student and ensure that all students have the resources they need to graduate prepared for success after high school, regardless of the path they take” (School Administrator, April 2022). This Summer 2022 issue highlights how CASSA members continue to learn and lead as education was re-imagined through- out and (hopefully) coming out of the pan- demic. From St. Clair Catholic District in Ontario where outdoor learning was used to engage students to Newfoundland and Labrador English School District where leaders championed the conditions to cre- ate a learning culture, CASSA members learned the pandemic’s implications for students. Also, a principal in Northern Lights School Division in Saskatchewan shared his learnings about areas of leader- ship in his role that have been impacted by the pandemic. As we reflect on the mental health chal- lenges brought on by the pandemic and its implications on teaching and learning, we read how the province of Ontario provides timely, culturally responsive resources and learning networks. We also learn of a Pan- Canadian network of school system leaders (in governance and administration) who lead and learn with thought leaders from throughout Canada. Full disclosure: I am on the network steering committee and see my work here as a wonderful learning experience. Finally, we learn about trans- formative leadership supporting district- wide anti-racism toward deep and equitable change in an article from School District No. 8 in British Columbia. I am proud to help lead an association whose members are leaders and learners. Ken Bain CASSA/ACGCS Executive Director | Message from the CASSA/ACGCS Executive Director | W CASSA Board of Directors President Curtis Brown Past President Reg Klassen President Elect Kevin Kaardal CASS (Alberta) David Keohane and Scott Morrison LEADS (Saskatchewan) Ben Grebinski and Kevin Garinger MASS (Manitoba) Barb Isaak and Pauline Clarke OCSOA (Ontario) John Kostoff and Morris Hucal NWTSA (Northwest Territories) Yvonne Careen and Simone Gessler ADGESBQ (Quebec) Mike Helm AAESQ (Quebec) Jan Langelier RNDGÉ Valérie Morand NBSSA (New Brunswick) Derek O’Brien BCSSA (British Columbia) Claire Guy and Karen Shipka NLASSA (Newfoundland and Labrador) John Way AASA Western Rep Mike Borgfjord AASA Eastern Rep Cindy Finn Directors At Large Bill Cooper (Nunavut) Paul McFadyen (Yukon) Joy Badder (Ontario) Executive Director Ken BainNext >