The British Columbia School Trustees Association

BCSTA is devastated by the tragic events at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. Our deepest condolences to families who lost loved ones and all affected by this tragedy. We commend first responders and staff for their courage. We stand in solidarity with Peace River South Board and the community.

🎓 🍎 B.C. Launches New Teacher Mentorship Program!

The Provincial Teacher Mentorship Pilot Program is now live, bringing research-informed mentorship support to teachers across the province.

📌 Resources: ptmp.educ.ubc.ca/resources/

🖇️ Learn more: ptmp.educ.ubc.ca #Bced

BCSTA leadership joined national education leaders in Saskatoon this week for the Canadian School Boards Association Board meeting exploring shared priorities and strengthening partnerships that advance public education across Canada. Thank you Saskatchewan School Boards Association for hosting! 🍁

BCSTA President Tracy Loffler opened the BC Public School Employers' Association AGM last week, recognizing the vital bargaining work underway across BC and the essential role trustees play in ensuring collective agreements serve student needs. #Bced #Bcpoli #Schooltrustees

February is Black History Month. BCSTA recognizes Black Canadians contributions to our communities and schools—from Emma Stark, Vancouver Island's first Black teacher in 1874, to today's educators, administrators, trustees and families. We're grateful for the diverse cultures that enrich BC schools.

🌟🍎 Today, we celebrate the importance of education and everyone who puts student success and well-being first. Here's to all the dedicated people who make our schools thrive.

At the BCSTA we are proud to be Public Education Champions. 🎉

#InternationalDayofEducation #BCed

🎉 The BCSTA is pleased to announce it is hosting Canada's premier K-12 public education gathering!

🏔️ 🌿 Join us for the Canadian School Boards Association 2026 Trustee Gathering on Education, Innovation and Reconciliation

✅ Register now: bit.ly/4qFq4Rn
🔗 Learn more: lnkd.in/g8J8QXpY
#Bced

📚BCSTA joined trustees at Abbotsford Middle School for the Fraser Valley branch meeting. Trustees toured the school's new modular addition, held elections, and discussed AGM motions. Thank you to Abbotsford SD for hosting and creating space for important conversations about public education. #Bced

Today is Bell Let's Talk Day - a reminder of the power of conversation when it comes to mental health. 💙💬

Bell Let's Talk offers valuable resources to support youth mental health, including tool kits designed specifically for young people: letstalk.bell.ca/tools-and-re...

#BellLetsTalk #BCed

Senior leadership of the BCSTA was pleased to host our first board chairs meeting of 2026, connecting with school district leaders from across the province.

🎓 These meetings are vital for staying connected across school districts and keeping aligned on what matters most, student success. #Bced

Today is #BlackExcellenceDay!
A day to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black people across British Columbia, Canada & the world. From educators to students leading change in their schools & communities, Black excellence enriches classrooms & strengthens public education for everyone.

The BCSTA Board of Directors kicked off the new year with a productive meeting with Minister of Education and Child Care @lisabeare.bsky.social to discuss updates and emerging issues in the K-12 and #schooltrustee sector.

Thank you Minister for the ongoing support of BC's public education system.

📚 The BCSTA is pleased to see the federal government's expansion of the Canada Student Loan Forgiveness program to include teachers and early childhood educators in rural and smaller communities across BC. #Bced

🖇️ Learn more: bit.ly/4swniPv

➡️ Discover careers in education www.makeafuture.ca

❄️ ✨ As 2025 draws to a close, we thank everyone who contributes to BC's public education system. Your dedication makes a lasting difference for students and families throughout our province.

🎄 ✨ The BCSTA wishes you all a restful holiday season and a bright New Year!

🌿 🎓 BCSTA President Tracy Loffler and Director of Education Services Gordon Li had the privilege of attending the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) conference, a meaningful opportunity to connect and learn alongside Indigenous leaders, educators, and members in the community. #Bced

Today on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, we honour the 14 lives lost in the Polytechnique Montréal tragedy and reaffirm our commitment to gender-based violence prevention education in BC's K-12 public schools.

Learn more: bit.ly/3Ke8Jis

#EndGBV #Bced

🗞️ 🎓 The BCSTA hosted Trustee Academy 2025, its premier professional development event. The three-day gathering brought together #schooltrustees from across the province to strengthen their capacity as locally elected leaders serving more than 550,000 students. #Bced

🔗 Learn more: bit.ly/4oxSISw

Attending the @bcsta.bsky.social #2025Academy feels like coming home.

Thank you to the 278 trustees whose commitment to student safety, well being & success strengthens every school. I look forward to continuing our work with all 60 boards to support every learner.

#bced #bcstudents

Today, on International Day for Persons with Disabilities, BCSTA reaffirms its commitment to advocating for inclusive education that ensures all students can thrive.

Learn more in our report, "Improving Student Outcomes: For Students with Disabilities and Diverse Abilities."
🔗 tinyurl.com/24cbb7w6

🏗️ This afternoon, we were pleased to welcome the Honourable Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure, to the BCSTA Trustee Academy 2025!

Thank you, Minister Ma, for your time and ongoing support of boards of education and public education in British Columbia. #Bced

⚖️ BCSTA Academy Day 3 - Putting the Trust in Trustees: Navigating the Ethical Landscape of Elected Officials!

This morning, Lisa Southern, Integrity Commissioner for the City of Vancouver and Vancouver Park Board, led trustees through essential guidance on ethical governance. #Bced

📚 Trustee Professional Development in Action at BCSTA Trustee Academy 2025!

This afternoon, BC school trustees are diving deep into critical learning through specialized workshops designed to strengthen governance knowledge and leadership skills.

Thank you to all presenters! #Bced #schooltrustees

Thank you to Associate Deputy Minister of Education and Child Care, Jennifer McCrea, for facilitating an insightful child care panel exploring approaches that "lift each other up" to support child care on school grounds. #Bced #Bcpoli #BCchildcare

🎓 This morning, we were delighted to have @lisabeare.bsky.social Minister of Education and Child Care join us for BCSTA Trustee Academy Day 2!

Minister Beare spoke to trustees stating that “School trustees are the unsung heros of public service.” Thank you, Minister Beare, for joining us! #Bced

The BCSTA was pleased to welcome The Honourable Farah Mohamed, Senator, as our keynote speaker this evening!

Senator Mohamed delivered an inspiring address on investing in young people and cultivating the next generation of leaders, a message that resonates deeply with our work in education. #Bced

🎉 This evening, Trevor Davies, BCSTA CEO, officially kicked off our Premier Professional Development Event, BCSTA Trustee Academy 2025!

Sempulyan from the Squamish Nation welcomed us to their traditional territory, followed by a rendition of O Canada by Liam Couch from New Westminster School. 🎵

This afternoon, trustees engaged in Indigenous-led experiences during our Pre-Conference!

🪶 The Haida Ceremony “Our Plants, Our Medicines”

📖 The Importance of Storytelling in Indigenous Culture

🌲 Cedar Weaving

A sincere thank you to all facilitators for sharing your knowledge with us. #Bced

BCSTA's Trustee Academy 2025 Pre-Conference is underway!

Our gathering began with a blanket and drumming ceremony led by BCSTA Elder Joe Thorne, his son and Jason Sandquist, Secretary-Treasurer of Cowichan Valley School District. Thank you to all who started our gathering in a good way.🥁 #Bced

Today, on National Child Day, we celebrate the children in B.C.'s public schools and their right to quality public education. Today, we reaffirm our dedication to putting students first. When we invest in children, we invest in British Columbia's future. 💙

BCSTA leadership was pleased to meet with Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity, Jennifer Blatherwick, to discuss current activities within the Gender Equity Office and the steps BCSTA can take to advance the discussion on developing a K-12 Action Plan to address gender equality. #Bced #Bcpoli