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:
Strengthening Social Emotional Learning Practices
100 Mile Elementary
150 Mile Elementary
Alexis Creek Elementary/Secondary
Anahim Lake Elementary/Secondary
Big Lake Elementary
Cataline Elementary
Chilcotin Road Elementary
Columneetza Junior Secondary
Forest Grove Elementary
Graduation Routes Other Ways
Horse Lake Elementary
Horsefly Elementary/Junior
Lac La Hache Elementary
Lake City Secondary
Likely Elementary
Marie Sharpe Elementary
Mile 108 Elementary
Mountview Elementary
Naghtaneqed Elementary/Junior
Nesika Elementary
Outback Storefront
Peter Skene Ogden Secondary
Skyline Alternate
Tatla Lake Elementary/Junior
<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" 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" 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>
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>
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>
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>
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" alt="EPRA" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>