Instructional Capacity

<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>

<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Our Literacy Bins grew out of the hands-on work happening at Chilcotin Road during the 2024–25 school year and were developed by Marianne and Erin, with support from our SLP, Charlotte Lundeen. They’re grounded in the same adapted core assessment we’re now using across the district. The bins follow a phonics-based sequence (aligned with UFLI), with each skill building on the next, and include ready-to-use decoding, encoding, and reading activities. The skills themselves are curated—not created by us—which means teachers can trust they’re aligned with strong literacy practice. What makes these bins so useful is their flexibility: teachers can target a specific skill for intervention, easily track progress, and then adapt or personalize activities to match their teaching style. They’re especially helpful for K–6 classrooms, new teachers, and LSTs looking to build strong, functional literacy foundations through a consistent connection between assessment and instruction. Marianne, our Helping Teacher, is available to model and co-teach using the bins, with sample kits ready to go (both in print and digital formats on the Teams literacy portal). Erin, in her IEC role, will help connect teams, and Marianne will follow up to support ongoing use in classrooms.</span></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">HR, PVP and some CCTA staff have been actively engaged in numerous recruitment efforts to date. In person events include Lakehead - Thunderbay, Lakehead - Orillia, University of Alberta, Windsor University, UBC and VIU. In person events allow interested teachers to shop the districts they may be interested in working in - which means there is a lot of talking to a lot of people in a 4-5 hour time span. Making quick connections is necessary as is follow up to keep potential applicants interested. In contrast, the online events that we have hosted this year (including a showcase with Make a Future and a 3 day French Teacher Fair with Destinations Canada) require a presentation that grabs the interest of potential applicants as well as answers any potential questions, in roughly 30 minutes or less. People sign up because they are curious - they join us from around the world. These are difficult platforms because we don't see the audience. Follow up is critical.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">On April 30th we are participating in the BC K-12 Education Job Fair with Apply to Education. In this joint effort, HR, PVP and CCTA will engage with interested applicants from across the country. This is an economical way to engage with applicants we may not otherwise reach. This is a competitive online fair with numerous BC School Districts engaging with the same applicants.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">With anticipated vacancies for 2026/27 school year, we will be hosting an online District Showcase in early July (to showcase external positions) with registration moderated by Apply to Education. This type of dedicated event has proven to have a good rate of return (investment to hire ratio) when reviewing previous events we have hosted.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Stay tuned for future updates!</span></p><table class="editor-table" style="width: 100%; table-layout: fixed;"><colgroup><col style="width: 50%;"><col style="width: 50%;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245);"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/18e7692e-63ea-467a-acd2-75a4db53c3ff?fingerprint=ppb20260415042246" alt="Recruitment Update2 Jennifer Loewen" 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="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245);"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/725010ce-5079-4b3d-a8aa-210381f812d6?fingerprint=ppb20260415042243" alt="Recruitment Update1 Jennifer Loewen" 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>

<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">In Student Support Services, we’ve been spending time really looking at how we work together as a team.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">There’s been a focus on understanding our impact—not just in the work we do, but in how we show up with each other and with schools. That’s meant having some honest conversations, supporting one another, and being open to adjusting our practice when needed.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We’re also seeing more and more collaboration across our team, with a growing understanding that it’s not about what any one of us brings, but what we bring together. People are reaching out, sharing ideas, and leaning on each other’s strengths in a way that is making our work stronger and more consistent.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This connects directly to the idea of compassionate systems—where we recognize that how we support each other as adults matters. When our teams feel supported, connected, and valued, that carries through to the schools and students we serve.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This work is helping build a culture where people feel comfortable asking for help, sharing thinking, and working through challenges together—and that’s making a difference.</span></p>

<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>

<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>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Many SD27 educators recently participated in a four-week Outdoor Learning course designed to strengthen Social Emotional Learning (SEL) practices. Each 60-minute session offered practical strategies to support student wellbeing through nature-based experiences.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Over the four weeks, educators explored:</span><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">-Mindfulness and self-awareness through sit spots, nature observation, and journaling.</span><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">-Social awareness and communication through cooperative outdoor play and group activities.</span><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">-Emotional regulation and perseverance through outdoor challenges that require patience and problem-solving.</span><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">-Ethics, stewardship, and community-building using Indigenous pedagogies and land-based learning.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This learning series expanded instructional capacity by equipping teachers with simple, powerful routines that connect SEL and the outdoors—strengthening both classroom practice and student engagement.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></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/8bc725e3-8479-48f0-ba37-56d1d04107f5?fingerprint=ppb20251217034956" alt="Outdoor SEL kimberley ikebuchi" 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/e2c06472-82a6-4430-bb57-6126fd91a38d?fingerprint=ppb20251217040405" alt="Outdoor SEL 2 kimberley ikebuchi" 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>

<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>

<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>

<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>

<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>