Jun 2, 2017 - colleagues from across our system are using to create change for Aboriginal ... Organized into four sectio
Learning Knowing Sharing Celebrating Successes in K-12 Aboriginal
book review by Brandon Curr
A
t a point of immense change in our journey in education in British Columbia, the BCPVPA’s in latest publication entitled British Columbia Learning, Knowing, Sharing: Celebrating Successes in K-12 Aboriginal Education in British Columbia is a timely and inspirational book that offers school leaders a glimpse into the many innovative approaches across our province that are contributing to increased Aboriginal student success. Although our journey of change and focus Jo-ann Archibald on increased results for Aboriginal learners is Q’um Q’um Xiiem often hard and challenging work, resources & Jan Hare such as this book provide us with a glimpse into the varied strategies and research colleagues from across our system are using to create change for Aboriginal learners within their unique context. Organized into four sections or themes that are reflective of an Indigenous worldview; Transformation, Relationships, Learning Processes, and Identity, the book provides tangible examples school leaders can reference as they look to find new ways of inspiring change within their buildings. The examples in each section are diverse and from all parts of the province – urban and rural examples, public and First Nation school examples, as well as classroom instructional, district and provincial level examples – provide everyone within our education system examples that they can use as we move forward. To highlight some of work in the book, Starleigh Grass begins by providing us with a synopsis of the extensive process of developing and piloting the Indian Residential Schools and Reconciliation teacher resource with FNESC and FNSA, while Rosborough, Halbert and Kaser demonstrate
Education
Learning, Knowing, Sharing: Celebrating Successes in K-12 Aboriginal Education in British Columbia © BCPVPA 2017
A Journey of Change
June 2017 • Adminfo • 4
Learning, Knowing, Sharing reiterates the need to work collectively and relentlessly to improve our system for Aboriginal learners. how the power of networking amongst educators through the Aboriginal Enhancement Schools Networks has led to innovation across our Province. A central theme in many of the chapters is the deep, research driven work committed to by many Districts and schools. As evidenced in Benwell, Child and Walkus’ chapter on their work focused on inquiry, mindsets and principles of learning in SD85, provides the reader with tangible examples of how this focus is coming to life within schools. The book is filled with examples of districts and schools going through extensive change process. Micheal Brown shares LA Matheson’s successes in the Surrey School District and how they redeveloped the pedagogical focus of Aboriginal programs at the school, while creating new learning opportunities like the LEAP Program. Another example of a district working through extensive change was highlighted Juanita Coltman’s chapter about the work in the Sea to Sky School District, where over a span of six years systematic changes assisted in moving their six year completion rate from 35% to 81%. Melanie Nelson’s work as Aboriginal Resource Teacher at Grandview Elementary in Vancouver is also highlighted, where the school focused its energies on building stronger connections with families. Through the Generations Project and Traditional Powwow, the school has fostered meaningful
system in British Columbia in support of Aboriginal learners. Learning, Knowing, Sharing reiterates the need to work collectively and relentlessly to improve our system for Aboriginal learners, and as Cynthia Nicol and Joanne Yovanovich state in their chapter on their work in Haida Gwaii on culturally responsive pedagogy and the PAIRS curriculum development model, ‘by working together to share our understandings, our varied perspectives and our points of view, we can create a story of education that matters, is meaningful and successful – a story where we can change the world.’ (p.100) I’m grateful for all of the educators and school leaders working across our system to create an education that matters for our learners and believe this book is a must read for all colleagues within our province as we move forward on our journey together.
and lasting relationships with families in the community. In the chapters on identity, Brett Hancock shares in the relentless reflective work with a Professional Learning Community in NanaimoLadysmith that’s main focus was understanding how to develop learning environments that allowed for stronger relationships with classroom teachers. This story connects directly to the work in Prince Rupert that is shared around developing curriculum for classroom instruction that assists students in developing a strong personal and cultural identity. I raise my hands to Jo-ann Archibald, Qum Qum Xiem, Jan Hare, the authors/leaders who contributed to this book and the BCPVPA for collaborating on this Brandon Curr is District Principal, Aboriginal project to highlight the tremendous Education, Burnaby. He can be reached at progress being made within our
[email protected]
Learning, Knowing, Sharing:
Celebrating Successes in K-12 Aboriginal Education in British Columbia is available from the BCPVPA website http://bcpvpa.bc.ca/learning-knowing-sharing/
A d m i n f o
VOLUME 29
NUMBER 5
Adminfo is published five times per year by the BC Principals’ & Vice-Principals’ Association. Subscriptions for non-members of the Association are available for $33.60 per year, including taxes. Adminfo welcomes your editorial contributions and student artwork. All material should be sent to: Richard Williams, Editor, Adminfo, #200-525 10th Avenue West, Vancouver V5Z 1K9 [call 604-689-3399 or 800-6630432, fax 604-877-5381 or email:
[email protected]]. Editor Richard Williams June 2017 • Adminfo • 5
ISSN: 1201-4214
