More than 75 teachers, parents, administrators, and even a baby attended the public forum held at Glendale Elementary School Thursday afternoon for discussions on educational directions for the future.
The forum was based on the research paper Personalized Learning in the 21st Century: Initial Thoughts for Discussion and included participation by Alison Sidow, superintendent of achievement for the Ministry of Education and educational consultant Sheila Rooney.
After an initial introduction by School District 27 superintendent Diane Wright the participants broke out into discussion groups where topics ranged from early learning, to the graduation years, trends in technology, and alternate learning initiatives.
Participants were encouraged to explore discussion at more than one table. Principals helped to facilitate the discussion and recorded comments.
Sidow said the Ministry of Education is currently holding a series of public forums and meetings with educators around the province to gather insight into what educational practices people believe are working and what practices they would like to see done differently.
The information will be collected and collated into common themes that will inform the ministry on the potential for future changes in education.
“There are good practices happening all over B.C. and we want to make sure those practices continue and expand,” Sidow said. “We’re good, but we can be better.”
She said the turnout for the public forum in Williams Lake was similar to the turnout they received recently in Coquitlam.
“It lets me know there is a lot of interest in the Cariboo Chilcotin around education, and that bodes well for the future,” Sidow said. “We have been very well received.”
She said the ministry team arrived in Williams Lake Wednesday, Feb. 2 and started their visit in a two-hour meeting with Wright.
Thursday morning they met with district administrators in the morning and attended the public forum in the afternoon.
Thursday evening the team met with school trustees over dinner.
Friday she said they were scheduled to visit two schools and then visit with some lead teachers in the Williams Lake area.
Sidow said she was previously the district superintendent for the Gold Trail School District 74 just south of School District 27, so she understands the challenges facing large rural school districts given the current economic climate, falling student enrollment, and large distances over which education must be delivered.
Having been the superintendent at Gold Trail she said she found it exciting to discuss initiatives being taken here to address the challenges. She also found educators here have a high level of commitment to education despite the challenges they face.
“They are doing great things and are not afraid to say what they can do differently to improve the learning environment,” Sidow said.
