The highest leverage strategy of educational improvement efforts is the development of staff capacity. In collaboration with the Cariboo-Chilcotin Teachers Association we are making significant investments in quality professional learning for educators in current, research-based practice to increase knowledge and confidence.
Some examples of the work of are:
- Shifting from one-off workshops to a robust learning series with successive professional development sessions and classroom learning rounds, time to practice and reflect in between, and a community of practice network to support one another
- Learning Series with exceptional BC, Canadian, and global leaders in numeracy, literacy, educational research, inclusion, resilience and trauma-informed practice.
- Common district assessments with support for learning how to administer them, analyze results, and use what is learned to plan for instruction
- District mental health plan
- Full program of support for new teachers in their first three years
Explore the ways we are LEARNING BETTER TOGETHER with support for professional learning in Cariboo-Chilcotin School District:
April Professional Development - Focus on Inclusion
Mile 108 Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">In April, our Learning Support Teacher, Joy Gammie, led a collaborative professional development session focused on strengthening instructional practices to support inclusion for all learners. Staff engaged in a team-based approach, exploring key frameworks such as Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Response to Intervention (RTI), and lesson planning tools developed by Shelley Moore and Leyton Schnellert. This work supported staff in deepening their understanding of inclusive practices and designing instruction that is responsive to the diverse needs of all students.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/bef5146e-ee34-459a-a569-bb3537c04e75?fingerprint=ppb20260506215806" alt="April Professional Development Focus on Inclusion" width="598" height="448" style="width:598px;height:448px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Enhancing Literacy for All
Mile 108 Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This Pro-D provided we had the opportunity to learn practical tips and instructional strategies from our colleagues at 100 Mile Elementary — Tammy Varney, Cindy Craig, Courtney Dolinski, and Stacy Jones. These ladies have been implementing UFLI with their students and shared valuable insights from their experience in the classroom. What a great day of learning together!!</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/93051284-8efa-4607-8dd2-7c8a5e12b7c6?fingerprint=ppb20260224044858" alt="Enhancing Literacy For All Maria Telford" width="547" height="318" style="width:547px;height:318px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Strengthening Literacy
Mile 108 Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Twenty-eight educators came together to strengthen instructional practice in literacy. This session is part of our ongoing, collaborative series of professional learning opportunities designed to enhance students’ literacy skills through a consistent, shared, and evidence-based approach that supports stronger literacy outcomes across our schools. A special thank-you to Speech and Language Pathologist Charlotte Lundeen for leading this session and sharing her expertise!</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/3baa3a19-b984-4a78-9bf2-0a67cefa5a48?fingerprint=ppb20251217033916" alt="Strengthening Literacy Maria Telford" width="396" height="210" style="width:396px;height:210px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
October Professional Development - Literacy Focus
Mile 108 Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Staff had the opportunity to work directly with Bryan Gidinski, a passionate educator and literacy specialist. Through two in-class professional development sessions Bryan modeled engaging and practical strategies for teaching writing that nurtures student voice, creativity, and confidence. The experience was a wonderful opportunity for our teachers to learn alongside their students and to strengthen our shared commitment to improving literacy instruction and fostering a genuine love of writing across all grades.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/e46fbec5-bde6-4b0a-a2ba-0ed09e606dcb?fingerprint=ppb20260208031631" alt="Bryan Gidinski Maria Telford" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
South End Literacy Focus Group
Mile 108 Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">On October 28th, our passionate team of educators gathered after school to deepen our collective understanding of the foundations of literacy. Guided by our focus on Shared Responsibility, Common Tools, and Consistent Instruction we’re uniting our efforts to make a lasting and meaningful difference in literacy success for every student.</span></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/5925d0ac-de39-4bd4-896d-a031a55d0e42?fingerprint=ppb20260208032032" alt="Literacy 2 Murray Helmer" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/4de292f0-c11e-4fd4-98e1-82ddab0abfef?fingerprint=ppb20260208032032" alt="Literacy 1 Murray Helmer" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Professional Learning - With Bryan Gidinski
Mile 108 Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This week, our staff had the opportunity to work directly with Bryan Gidinski, a passionate educator and literacy specialist, during in-class professional development sessions. Bryan modeled engaging, practical strategies for teaching writing that nurture student voice, creativity, and confidence. The experience was a wonderful opportunity for our teachers to learn alongside their students and to strengthen our shared commitment to improving literacy instruction and fostering a genuine love of writing across all grades.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/e46fbec5-bde6-4b0a-a2ba-0ed09e606dcb?fingerprint=ppb20260208031631" alt="Bryan Gidinski Maria Telford" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
ProD - September's Intentional Learning
Mile 108 Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Our first Professional Development Day of the 2025–2026 school year centered on moving our school goals forward:</span><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">-Strengthening literacy skills and abilities for ALL learners</span><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">-Building and maintaining a safe and positive school culture</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">School teams deepened their understanding of foundational elements of literacy to refine instructional practices. The school principal also engaged in meaningful learning around restorative practices, designed to foster stronger relationships and a caring school community.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We’re excited to bring these new strategies and shared learning back into our classrooms, creating a place where every student can thrive as a reader and a learner in a connected and caring community.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/e78e057c-6e6c-4c7d-85ad-7327f216114b?fingerprint=ppb20251217040417" alt="EPRA" width="535" height="403" style="width:535px;height:403px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>