January 2025

A Farewell to CASSA

Ken Bain

Hope all is well with you and your families.  My career as CASSA Executive Director is winding down.  After more than a decade in the role, I have decided to retire and turn the role over to a new leader.

I am proud of the growth in membership the association has experienced over the years.  CASSA now includes members from every province, the Northwest Territories and the Francophone system leaders outside Quebec. 

I am proud of the professional learning opportunities we have provided to our members over the years.  We have addressed a variety of themes each of which has contributed to healthy school communities.  Our timely focus on Truth and Reconciliation through our conference speakers and workshops is a highlight for me.  The conference has shifted its focus over the past few years with the professional learning needs of the school system leader at the centre of our work.

The role has allowed me to meet and work with many incredibly dedicated individuals and groups who share CASSA’s goals of strengthening school communities

I have also worked alongside CASSA presidents whose commitment to the importance of a national association of school system leaders has been quite extraordinary as they all had very demanding roles as school system leaders while continuing to support the association.  My thanks to Roger Nippard (Alberta),Cindy Finn (Quebec), Anne O’Brien (Ontario), Reg Klassen (Manitoba), Curtis Brown (Northwest Territories), Kevin Kaardal (British Columbia), and Mike Helm (Quebec).

My sincere thanks to the dozens of CASSA board members who have given of their time to support the association and its goals.

I leave the association knowing that it is in a strong place and look forward to hearing about its future success.  I know CASSA will be “in good hands” with Reg Klassen as its new Executive Director.

Best wishes to you all.

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November 2024

This month’s message will serve as a follow-up to my last newsletter column in which I reflected on the key messages and my learnings as a participant in the Global Network of Deans of Education International Symposium.  

Davide Ruscelli, Senior Project Officer (Co-ordinator) of the Teacher Task Force Secretariat hosted by UNESCO was our opening keynote.  He identified that 44 million teachers are needed to achieve universal primary and secondary education by 2030.  His presentation was centred on the following premise: “Among the numerous determinants of quality education and learning outcomes, getting a qualified, supported and motivated teacher into each classroom is the single-most important school-based factor.”  Last month, I referenced his nine levers to reverse teacher shortages.  He further identified nine ways to transform the teaching profession for a new social contract and note that these are based upon a global research project

(https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/global-report-teachers-addressing-teacher-shortages-and-transforming-profession):    
 

• Foster gender balanced profession embracing diversity
• Enhance teacher motivation through enticing collaborative and relevant lifelong learning
• Train teachers to fully profit from technology
• Enhance teaching professionalism including initial teacher education
• Transition contract teachers into permanent positions with the related qualifications
• Find the balance between accountability and autonomy
• Motivate teachers through horizontal and vertical ladders to enhance professional growth
• Foster idea-sharing and innovation though collaboration
• Engage teachers in decision-making processes about professional development

Davide finished his keynote by identifying six recommendations to mobilize international collaboration to address global teacher shortages.  

• Develop holistic teacher policies aligned to national priorities using a collaborative framework
• Collect more and better data to systematically report on the indicators agreed in the Education 2030 Framework for Action (https://www.unesco.org/sdg4education2030/en)
• Transform teacher education and professional development from course-based, individual endeavours to lifelong collaborative, and teacher-led processes 
• Improve the working conditions for teachers to ensure they receive competitive compensation and benefits and ensure gender equality in pay and treatment
• Ensure adequate public, domestic funding that is consistent with the existing benchmarks of 6% of GDP and 20% of total government spending
• Enhance international cooperation to engage different constituencies in collaborative efforts to address teacher shortages

Davide’s opening keynote set the context for the presentations that followed.

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October 2024

CASSA Expands its Reach

I have just returned from Europe at which time I represented CASSA on an international “stage” at the inaugural meeting of the Global Network of Deans of Education.  Deans from throughout the world were invited to attend including three Canadian universities.  The following were represented: United States, South Africa, Jamaica, England, Scotland, Germany, Austria, Hong Kong,  Botswana, and Singapore.  Also in attendance was a member of the UNESCO Global Report on Teachers from Paris.  I was honoured to have been asked to represent CASSA as attendance at this symposium was on an invitation-only basis. 

The focus of the symposium was a review of how deans of education and partner educational leadership associations are contributing to the achievement of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4).  Sustainable Development Goal 4 is about quality education and is among the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United nations in 2015.  The full title of SDG 4 is “Ensure Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education and Promote Lifelong Learning for All”.

Joining CASSA were other partner associations: The School Superintendents’ Association (AASA) and the International Confederation of Principals.

The symposium began with a keynote address from Davide Ruscelli, Senior Project Officer (Coordinator) for the International Taskforce on Teacher Education 2030, Paris France.  Davide presented highlights from the Global Report on Teachers the aim of which is to address teacher shortages and transforming the profession.  He highlighted nine “levers to reverse teacher shortages”: improving salaries and retirement schemes, technology integration, training, mentoring and psychological support programs, school, parents and communities forming committees, pedagogic school leadership and practices that foster collaboration among teachers, induction programs for both novice teachers and principals, teacher autonomy, incentives, and ensuring the rights and protection of teacher migration and the needs of t countries of origin.  Of note is that this was a world-wide study and not all of the levers can be easily translated into a Canadian context.

I shall provide more insights and learning in subsequent newsletters.

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 September 2024

I trust your summer break offered an opportunity to rest…possibly vacation…and connect with family and friends.

Changes to CASSA Board of Directors

CASSA welcomes its newest members as the usual board turnover occurs resulting from changes to the membership in local affiliate organizations.  CASSA welcomes Ward Strueby from Saskatchewan (LEADS), Souhail Soujah from Northwest Territories (NWTSA), Kirk Smith from Newfoundland and Labrador (NLASSA), Cheryl Lenardon from British Columbia (BCSSA) and Tracy Beaulieu from our newest member province - Prince Edward Island.  

Included in the changes to the board are changes to the CASSA Executive.  After over a decade of service representing leaders in the Northwest Territories…CASSA expresses an incredible debt of gratitude to retiring Past-President, Curtis Brown.  Curtis represented leaders in the Territories with distinction for a number of years and served as CASSA President for two years during which time he lead the development of our current strategic plan.  His experience and calm demeanour will be missed at the CASSA table.  

Other changes include the transition in the leader fulfilling the president role.  CASSA wants to extend its deep appreciation to Kevin Kaardal who has served the membership well throughout his two-year term.  Kevin has extended the reach of the association into new areas of focus including nature-based education and the district leaders’ role in addressing climate change.  We will continue to benefit from his leadership in the role of past-president.

Finally, CASSA welcomes our incoming president, Mike Helm.  Mike is the director-general of New Frontiers School Board in Quebec.  Mike has been on the CASSA executive for two years and has also served as a key member of the Professional Learning Committee. CASSA is “in good hands” with Mike as its president for the next two years.

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April 2024

Join us at CASSA’s 2024 Leadership Conference in beautiful and historical Montreal, Quebec from July 3-5, 2024.

This annual event follows the very successful 2023 conference in Victoria, British Columbia.

This year’s theme is “Inspiring Systemic Change Through Courageous Leadership”.  The conference will celebrate leadership approaches throughout Canada.  We are eager to showcase outstanding practices and inspire our collective journey in educational leadership.

Speakers include Dr. Jacqueline Ottmann, President, First Nations University of Canada (Saskatchewan), Louis Volante, Professional Fellow, UNU-MERIT, Brock University Department of Educational Studies (Ontario), and the Honourable Senator David M. Arnott (Saskatchewan).

Here is the link to register:

https://site.pheedloop.com/event/CASSA2024/register#category

The conference hotel is Le Westin Montreal.  The hotel is perfectly located on the edge of Old Montreal…and a short walk to the Montreal Jazz Festival.  

Rooms are going quickly so reserve NOW

Here is the link to reserve rooms:

https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1696865421135&key=GRP&app=resvlink

WestJet, Air Canada and VIA Rail are offering discounted travel.

For more information:

https://site.pheedloop.com/event/CASSA2024/Travel

Your registration includes two lunches, two breakfasts, breaks, and an opening reception.  

Lunch on Thursday July 4^th will highlight the XEROX EXL Award nominees from throughout the country and will culminate in the announcement of this year’s National XEROX EXL Award recipient.  Make sure to join us…

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February 2024

Each year, the CASSA Board of Directors meets in Toronto to engage in strategic planning meetings.  

The meetings began with a review of the implementation of the three strategic plan priorities that were established in May 2022.  (Governance and Operations, Professional Learning, and Communication and Engagement) The session was facilitated by Natalie Zend, Principal, ZENDialogue.  The session was divided into three parts…a look back at the previous process and work from May 2022…a review of the current status of work from the three sub-committees…an a forward look at next steps for each priority.  There will be further follow up after our February board meeting.

The meetings also include opportunities for board members to hear from and influence the work of other organizations with similar interests to CASSA.  

The CASSA Board met with Michael Zinck, an Assistant Deputy Minister in the Federal Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change Canada and Luc Titlley, Director Public Affairs and Communications – Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Canada.  The board received an update on the work undertaken by the ministry and its work with NGO’s in Canada.  Michael and Luc were interested in hearing how the federal ministry can influence K-12 education which, as we know, is the responsibility if each province and territory. Board members provided advice to the ministry representatives who, in turn,  made a commitment to stay connected.  Thanks to President Kevin Kaardal from Central Okanagan School District in British Columbia for making the connection and facilitating he session with the ministry.

This year, the board also met with representatives from CAMH (Centre for Mental Health and Addictions). CAMH is Canada’s largest mental health teaching hospital.  CAMH sets the standards for care, research, education and leading social change. CAMH has a large library of online mental health resources for healthcare practitioners.  The reps who met with the board were looking for feedback on how to make the tools relevant for the education sector, and in particular, principals, teachers and other school staff.  The board brainstormed advice to the CAMH representatives.

Mark your calendars for CASSA 2024 Leadership Conference in Montreal from July 3-5.

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January 2024

The theme of the upcoming issue of Leaders and Learners is “Responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action”.  While the calls to action in the section entitled “Education” in the final report focus on the role of the federal government, the articles in this issue highlight how school districts throughout the country are, in their own way, striving to fulfill the promise of the calls to action that span other domains: language and culture, education and reconciliation, and youth programs.

We learn how students in Lester B. Pearson School Board (Quebec) expanded their knowledge of the Haudenosaunee People of the Longhouse and were inspired to create a quilt that is now being used as a teaching tool.

Another article will explore the transformative journey towards reconciliation which included a partnership between Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools and Alexander First Nation Education (Alberta).  The education service agreement includes invitations to attend First nations events and integrating Indigenous voices into the division’s First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Leadership Committee.

The English Montreal School Board (Quebec) sees reconciliation in education as a means to create a more equitable, respectful, and inclusive educational experience for Indigenous students while fostering understanding and empathy among all students about Indigenous histories and cultures.  The article will discuss the indispensable role of reflective practice in guiding school leaders toward the journey of Reconciliation.

The Calgary Catholic School District (Alberta) is proud of the work by its Indigenous team related to Truth and Reconciliation.  The article will outline the work including its successes and challenges.

An article from Kelsey School Division (Manitoba) explores how in the Non-Indigenous education leaders have responded to the Truth and Reconciliation final report and how the Kelsey School Division engaged in and responded to the call for Reconciliation and indigenization.  The Manitoba government released a policy framework including tools for reflection, planning and reporting. Using these tools to decolonize the system, the educational leaders in Kelsey School Division are engaged in the process to indigenize the system.

The final article comes from Canadian Rockies Public Schools (Alberta).  The article examines how a small initiative for Mini Thni students has blossomed into a powerful formal partnership with four dedicated Knowledge Keepers.  Their mission includes responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Calls for Action and safeguarding Stoney Nakoda’s ancestral wisdom, traditions, and stories.  The Knowledge Keepers have ignited a cultural resurgence and enhancing students’ experiences.

My thanks to the authors for their timely contribution and moreover express my appreciation for the outstanding work they do to fulfill the promise of the Calls to Action.

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October 2023

Canadian School Mental Health Leadership Network Update

The Canadian School Mental Health Leadership Network is comprised of approximately 30 school system leaders from throughout Canada including governance leaders (CSBA) and CASSA members.  We have met virtually for the past two years.  I am joined on the network steering committee by CSBA Executive Director Nancy Pynch-Worthylake with Mike Roberts filling Nancy’s role as she took a leave of absence from CSBA, Lester B. Pearson School Board Director-General Cindy Finn, and School Mental Health Ontario Executive Director Kathy Short.  Sessions have included the following topics./themes: Resilient Learners, Impact of the Pandemic on Younger Learners and Youth, Early Childhood and the impact of toxic stress on Younger Learners, Social-Emotional Learning, Technology Use and School Mental Health and Violence Prevention.

 We have decided to convene an in-person national roundtable with the following focus: scalable and sustainable practices supporting school mental health and well-being with a view to using knowledge and insights shared in the meeting as the foundation for the development of a national school mental health resource for school system leaders.  The roundtable will combine large group presentations and small group discussions including an opportunity to share how provincial and territorial leaders have facilitated district efforts to support school mental health and well-being.  We hope to leave with a framework for a national resource for school system leaders.

 In summary, the Canadian School Mental Health Leadership Network has continued to contribute value for the benefit of school mental health leaders from across Canada and has been very well received. We remain extremely grateful for the funding from the McConnell Foundation which will allow for continued expansion of this concept through 2023.  

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August 2023

“We need allies – not saviors”

Show them your heart before you ask for their hand”

CASSA concluded its enormously successful annual leadership conference in early July.  Our keynote presenters brought their life experiences and reflections to help fulfill CASSA’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation.  The two above quotes were the most impactful that participants took away from our powerful speakers: Chief Cadmus Delorme, Andrew Stobo Sniderman and Douglas Sanderson (Amo Binashi).  Other important “takeaway messages” and strands included: the importance of relationships, education as a driver of hope, and that unequal outcomes have been normalized.  We were reminded that leadership is about being fearless and reminded of the importance of using our position of influence to effect change.

The conference theme was “Leadership from Coast to Coast to Coast”.  The workshop presentations explored various aspects of school system leadership: equity, anti-racism, mental health, Indigenous Education, newcomers, and inclusive practices.  Workshops were lead by CASSA members from BC to Newfoundland and Labrador.  My sincere thanks to the workshop presenters who contributed to the success of the conference.  Many of the presenters have shared their PowerPoints. Here is a link to the presentations (http://conference.cassa-acgcs.ca/CASSA-presentations.html) for those of you wish to follow up.

I want to extend my appreciation to the members of the CASSA Professional Learning Committee: Lead Facilitator, Barb Isaak (Manitoba), Mike Helm (Quebec), Ben Grebinski (Saskatchewan), Michael Borgfjord (Alberta) Anna Villalta (Quebec), Krista Curry (Manitoba), and Joy Badder (Ontario). 

They were responsible for organizing the learning that occurred and contributed many hours on top of their day to day responsibilities to ensure an outstanding program and learning experience for our members.

We look forward to our next leadership conference from July 3-5, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec.

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May 2023

I am proud to provide you with an update on the work that was completed by the Communication and Engagement Committee following the January Strategic Planning Meetings.  The following content has been approved by the full board and is being made into an infographic.

 The board has adopted the following values:

• Diversity
• Equity
• Excellence
• Inclusion
• Responsiveness
• Well-Being

In addition to the values, CASSA has established core commitments that support and demonstrate the values.

• Diversity - advocate for leadership within education systems that represents different ethnicities, gender identities, nationalities, languages, cultures, and beliefs* (OECD definition)
• Equity - advocate for access to quality, relevant, and culturally sensitive education for all learners as a fundamental right
• Excellence - promote the success of each student
• Inclusion - embrace the attitudes and approaches that recognize learner differences and promotes equal opportunities for each student
• Responsiveness - support the role of senior school leaders through individual and collective professional learning and strengthen the capacity of school system leaders to build relationships toward Truth and Reconciliation and communicate, network, and collaborate with educational partners on matters of national significance including excellence and equity in publicly funded education 
• Well-Being - promote the psychological, cognitive, social and physical functioning and capabilities that students need to live a happy and fulfilling life* (OECD definition) and support initiatives and partnerships that promote the well-being of school system leaders

CASSA is committed to: advocate, promote, embrace, support, strengthen, communicate, network, and collaborate.  Our commitments will lead to fulfilling our vision: Equity and excellence in education for each learner.

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March 2023

Strategic Planning Update

As I highlighted in Issue 6 from 2022, CASSA has established three strategic planning committees: Professional Learning, Communication and Engagement, and Governance and Operations.  The work of these committees is capably facilitated by three board members Barb Isaak (MASS), Jan Langelier (AAESQ) and Cindy Finn (ADGESBQ).  The Professional Learning committee began its work to create webinars that would engage system leaders throughout Canada.  Since then the focus has shifted to facilitating and leading the professional learning component of our July conference.  Here is a link to the conference website where you will find information about flights, hotels and most importantly…our three keynote presenters: http://conference.cassa-acgcs.ca/CASSA-presenters.html. The Communication and Engagement committee has been working on infographics which, when ready, will highlight information about CASSA and the association’s beliefs.  Lastly, the Governance and Operations committee has been working on preparing revisions to the current (2015) by-laws with a view to creating a more diverse board of directors and to align dates and operational aspects of the association to reflect practices that have evolved over the years.  The task of ensuring a more diverse board is not an easy undertaking since the CASSA board is made up of members selected by provincial and territorial associations.  In essence, the board’s composition is reflective of whomever each association submits as its representatives.  More to come as the work of these three committees progresses.  

National Advisory Council on Publicly Funded Education Update - CASSA’s board has given its approval to have CASSA formally join this newly formed national advisory council.  

Context
All children and youth in Canada should have access to high-quality publicly funded public education regardless of their postal code, culture, language, or family circumstance. Considering this, the federal government and federal stakeholders have a key role to play to support public education to best serve the needs of students and their families. The advent of a National Advisory Council on Publicly Funded Public Education (or NACE for short) is a necessary step in ensuring that all stakeholders at the national level have an open line of communication with each other, and with the federal government. 

Objective
The main objective of this advisory council is to bring together national stakeholders in publicly funded public education to work towards strengthening public education from coast to coast to coast for the betterment of all children and youth, and – by extension – Canadian society. The NACE will explore social, environmental, and economic challenges facing Canadian public education. 

I will have further updates on the work of our strategic planning committees and NACE along with another initiative in which CASSA has extended its reach beyond our own borders.

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February 2023

Each year, the CASSA board of directors convenes in Toronto to review its successes and to engage in strategic planning.  After two years of virtual meetings, we were able to meet in person in Toronto during the last weekend in January.  Much of the focus of our work involved a review of the CASSA Beliefs.  

Currently, CASSA holds the following Beliefs:

• The role of school system administrators is essential in ensuring success for each student
• CASSA is a learning organization that promotes individual and collective learning for its members
• CASSA has a responsibility to initiate and participate in dialogue on educational matters of national significance
• It is essential to communicate and collaborate with educational and community partners to ensure excellence and equity in publicly funded education across Canada

Time was spent deciding whether we should be signalling beliefs, or values or commitments…more to come next time once the work is complete.

The board received two presentations, one from Jim Costello who serves as the Oversight Committee Chair of the Microsoft Education Voucher Program.  Approximately $165 million is being made available to K-12 schools and post-secondary institutions in the form of vouchers to support students across Canada with access to new computer hardware, software, and related training.  Visit the settlement website at: https://www.ThatSuiteMoney.ca/

The second presentation was from Dr. Cathy Martin, Senior Director of Professional Development and Certification, First Nations Education Administrators Association (FNEAA).  Dr. Martin presented an overview of a Canadian Historical Framework: Stages in the Relationship with Aboriginal Peoples.  Dr. Martin also spoke of the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and the  September 2017 UN statement from Prime Minster Trudeau.  She also shared the FNEAA origin, purpose, vision, value statements and a strategic plan overview. In September of 2021, there were 84 regular and 21 corporate members of FNEAA.  The association has an administrative team and a board of directors from a number of First Nations committed to the association.

Dr. Martin affirmed that at this time of reconciliation, working together is mandatory and not just desirable.

SAVE the DATE: CASSA2023 – Leadership: Coast to Coast to Coast, Victoria BC, July 5-7, 2023

 Check the CASSA Conference Website for hotel, travel and program updates: http://conference.cassa-acgcs.ca

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November 2022

Canadian School Mental Health Leadership Network

In 2020, CASSA was invited, along with Canadian School Boards Association (CSBA), to team up with Dr. Kathy Short, School Mental Health Ontario (SMHO) to create a national network of school system administrators and governors.  Each association, in turn, reached out to key leaders to form a steering committee.  I invited Dr. Cindy Finn, Director General at Lester B. Pearson School Board in Montreal.  Nancy Pynch-Worthylake, the CSBA Executive Director, invited Nathan IP, a trustee from Edmonton Public Schools. The concept was to create a safe space for leaders to have conversations and to further their understanding in support the mental health and well-being of their students.  Funding for the network was generously provided by The McConnell Family Foundation.  The network was supported by thought leaders who have years of experience in research and practice in the field of child and adolescent mental health.

Our thought leaders were Dr. Jean Clinton, McMaster University, Ontario; Dr. Deinera Exner- Cortez, University of Calgary, Alberta; Dr Kathy Giorgiades, Offord Centre for Child Studies, Ontario; Dr. John LeBlanc, IWK Health Centre, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia; 

Dr. Michael Unger, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia and Dr. Brenda Restoule, First Peoples Wellness Circle, Ontario.

Prior to the first formal meeting of the network, we asked the members to forward topics and themes they would like addressed. We used their feedback to create a series of network meetings that continued from 2021 - 2022.  The format of each network meeting starts with a presentation by a thought leader on the topic of that particular meeting. That is followed by an open question and answer opportunity for network members to engage with the thought leader. We then break into smaller groups with a cross-section of administrators and governors that represent various geographic regions in Canada.  The breakout groups are facilitated by a steering committee member and breakout notes are taken that are shared internally with the network participants.

We have recently asked network members for topics and themes that they would like addressed in 2023 and we look forward to continuing the dialogue to support student mental health and well-being throughout Canada in its publicly funded school boards.

 

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Fall 2022

Welcome Back!  
Hopefully, you had a safe and enjoyable summer break with family and friends.  

A Tribute To Reg Klassen, Manitoba Association of School Superintendents (MASS)

It is with regret but with heartfelt thanks that the CASSA board says “farewell” to Reg Klassen, Chief Superintendent of Frontier School Division in Manitoba.  Reg has concluded his two year commitment as the CASSA Past-President having served two years as President-Elect and an additional two years as CASSA President.  Reg has been an active and supportive CASSA board member for many years having served as an Executive member as well a MASS representative.  Reg’s commitment to the importance of a national association and his vocal advocacy in Manitoba…and beyond…has allowed CASSA to grow over the years to where it is today…a national association representing school system leaders from all ten provinces and three territories…including directors-general from French-language districts outside of Quebec.  Over the years, Reg and I have developed a great friendship even though he cheers for the Winnipeg Jets and Saskatchewan Roughriders.  We will miss his wisdom and sense of humour around our table.  I wish Reg well as he continues to serve the communities in the Frontier School Division which is one of the largest geographic districts in the country.  His commitment to supporting the needs of Indigenous learners came through at every meeting I which we engaged those discussions.   

CASSA Board Changes 

Every year, the CASSA Board experiences turnover in the board of directors.  It is up to each association to determine who sits at the CASSA table and the role varies from province to province to territory.  Usually, the constant member is the association executive director with respective table officers rotating through the CASSA board depending on local by-laws.  At this time, I want to express my appreciation to Pauline Clarke (MASS), Scott Morrison (CASS) and Morris Hucal (OCSOA) who have served their terms and will be leaving the board.  We look forward to their continued involvement as CASSA members in committee work.  Welcome to our newest board members: Krista Curry (MASS), Clint Moroziuk (CASS) and John Klein (OCSOA). Congratulations and many thanks for his future contributions to Mike Helm (ADGESBQ) on his election as CASSA President-Elect!

Save the Date for CASSA 2023

Get out your calendars and save the date for next year’s CASSA Leadership Conference in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia.  The dates are July 5-7, 2023.  Lots more to come of course. Get the dates locked into your calendars

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July 2022

CASSA just completed its very successful in-person 2022 Leadership Conference in St. Andrew’s New Brunswick which was attended by about 150 education leaders.  Participants from coast to coast to coast made their way to St. Andrew’s.  Regrettably, due to the Air Canada flight cancellations…approximately 20 registrants had to cancel.  Not only was CASSA re-imagining education leadership…CASSA was re-imagining a conference experience.   The conference was expertly facilitated by Jordan Tinney, retired superintendent of Surrey Schools in British Columbia.  Jordan lead us through four facilitated and six thematic sessions which provided many opportunities for participants to engage with one another in cross-Canadian conversations.  The resources that he prepared are on our CASSA home page.  In addition to the professional conversations…the conference provided participants with social events including a live music Kitchen Party and delicious Maritime Dinner.  A conference highlight was the CASSA Awards Luncheon at which time we celebrated two honourary lifetime members: Barry Litun (Alberta) and Michael Chechile (Quebec) along with the 2020 XEROX EXL National recipients: Darrel Robertson (Alberta) and Renee Closs (Northwest Territories) and the 202i XEROX EXL National recipient: Denise Andre.  We also celebrated the outstanding nominees for 2022: Phillipe Brulôt (Northwest Territories), Rob Buttars (Quebec) and Bevan Daverne(Alberta).   Congratulations to Bevan who was selected as the 2022 XEROX EXL National recipient.

I must express my profound appreciation to the members of the CASSA conference planning team: Derek O’Brien (New Brunswick), Claire Guy (British Columbia), Barb Isaak (Manitoba), and Morris Hucul and Joy Badder (Ontario).  Derek and his colleagues from New Brunswick stepped in to ensure the conference attendees could get to St. Andrew’s from New Brunswick’s airports and that the conference details were covered locally.

We are already looking forward to the 2023 CASSA Leadership Conference from July 5-7 in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia.  Please save the date to engage once again with your colleagues from throughout Canada

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February  2022

THANK YOU