About The Learning Centre
The Learning Centre – Developing a District-Wide Community of Learners
In his paper, A Community of Professionals, Dr. Rubadeau presented his vision of a cultural shift in professional development delivery to an expanded, synergistic endeavor: the development of a learning community. A learning community where professionals would continually expand their capacity to create the results they truly desire, One where leadership in learning endeavors is based upon professional knowledge rather than position, where all are sustained and supported in the pursuit of shared goals and interests. This he believed, to be necessary for the most successful organizations of the future.
To this end the partner groups were asked to collaborate on shared vision and values and to determine a core purpose for a learning centre. A centre that could support and sustain professional goals with expanded and diverse opportunities for all staff to collaborate, investigate and, in turn, create ever expanding opportunities to enhance professional growth and expertise. Thus, The Learning Centre emerged with the partnership of BCPVPA, COTA, CUPE and the district Admin. Council. The partners set the course with shared values and vision and stated the core purpose – to foster a professional learning community through continuous, collaborative growth opportunities for all staff.
This, the fledgling publication of The Learning Centre, is a collation of activities that have been planned for the coming months. Like all emergent enterprises, we at the Centre, are counting on your input and support to nurture its growth. We exist to serve all: BCPVPA, COTA, and CUPE. We count upon each of you to share ideas and expertise, offer new insights and directions and to set future goals to make The Learning Centre a vibrant stimulus in the journey of this Community of Professionals.
The Learning Centre Development Team
During the 2004/2005 school the following members of the Learning Centre Development team met on several occasions to develop the Learning Centre vision, values and core purpose.
Audrey Barr – CUPE |
Juleen McElgunn – SD23 |
Jon Rever – COPVPA |
Terry Beaudry – SD 23 |
Rob Melle – COPVPA |
Mike Roberts – SD 23 |
Alan Cumbers – SD 23 |
James Minkus - COPVPA |
Bob Shanks – COTA |
Carol Davidson – CUPE |
Peter Molloy – SD 23 |
Bill Zeman - CUPE |
Ron Goffic – CUPE |
Tom Potts – COTA |
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Jack Holly – COTA |
Alice Rees – COTA |
Members of the Learning Centre Development Team presented the TLC vision, values and core purpose to their respective associations. The members of the COTA, COPVPA and CUPE unanimously endorsed The Learning Centre at their general meetings in the Spring 2005.
The Learning Centre – Vision
The vision for the learning centre as determined by the development team is as follows:
To develop an inclusive district-wide professional learning community that is guided by principles that foster:
4 sharing, collaboration and synergy.
4 trust, emotional security and risk taking.
4 relevancy through practical and visionary opportunities.
4 voluntary participation.
4 vast and varied opportunities for all participants to learn and grow personally and professionally.
4 goal orientation.
4 opportunities for participants to focus, enquire, listen, build, reflect and participate.
4 activities that support the needs and well-being of students and staff.
The Learning Centre – Values
The Learning Centre – Core Purpose
The Learning Centre provides an environment that fosters a professional learning community through continuous, collaborative growth opportunities for all staff.
Thoughts on the Learning Centre
President of COPVPA – Scott McLean
The Learning Center will offer an exciting opportunity for all School District employees to further their knowledge and expertise in areas of their employment . The Central Okanangan Principals' and Vice-Principals' Association is looking forward to working with staff in developing professional activities that benefit everyone. The Learning Center will allow us to better meet the professional development needs of all staff. The District's focus on what is best for kids has made School District 23 a leader in a number of areas. The Learning Center will only make our District stronger. The real winners will be our students who will have well-trained and caring staff working with them. Our Association hopes all staff will make use of the professional opportunities available through the Learning Center.
Thoughts on the Learning Centre
President of COTA – Bob Shanks
Miriam Webster defines ‘profession’ as, “a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation.” Teaching most decidedly requires long and intensive academic preparation within a body of specialized knowledge, and if one were to ask most teachers why they chose the pursuit, their collective answers would most probably give identity to the definition of a ‘calling’. The practice of teaching develops style and with experience I would suggest, evolves the art. We all are familiar with the concept of ‘artistic freedom’ as expressed by painters, jazz musicians and other artists in the practice of their professions and recognize their right to pursue the enhancement of their skills as they so desire. As teachers, we too enjoy a freedom of expression in our practice and a
right to pursue the enhancement of our skills. These are the foundation of our professional autonomy and as such are to be nurtured and protected.
In the face of an ever more prescriptive, objective and data driven environment we have certainly seen many initiatives that might marginalize if not directly impact that autonomy, perhaps none more direct than changes both proposed and effected regarding the nature and delivery of teacher professional development. Here in School District #23, faced with structural changes to the school calendar that impact upon our traditional Pro-D scheduling, we initiated discussions toward the implementation of a new system of professional development delivery; a learner driven institute that will provide opportunities for all employees to enhance their relationship with their job. Ultimately, The Learning Centre will not only protect professional autonomy but will enhance it by giving individuals more input and choice regarding what is
available and more flexibility regarding timing ultimately moving away from a cluster of days in the summer. We at the C.O.T.A. see the development of The Learning Centre as a very positive move and are committed to ensuring that it enables each of us to pursue our own evolution of the art
Thoughts on the Learning Centre
President of CUPE – Bill Zeman
Education is a cornerstone of modern society. Continuing education illustrates a dedication to that principle. The partnership of CUPE, COTA, COPVPA and the School District #23 Admin Council which achieved its genesis of the Learning Centre speaks to the multi-lateral dedication to education. It is important to realize that the Support Staff of School District #23 works hand in hand with others to help cultivate all the learners. The inclusive nature of this Center allows our members more opportunity. All members of CUPE 3523, Custodians, CEA’s, Clerical, Library Assistants, Trades personnel and Maintenance workers, to mention a few, have a vested interest in fostering a cohesive learning environment for themselves to benefit everyone. The fruit of this professional development and education will only strengthen
the product of their day to day labours.
The Learning Centre is the forum to achieve the lofty goal of education for those, who in most other circumstances, would be viewed as the educated. The seed, cultivation and growth of the Learning Centre are the manifestation of the ethereal dream of personal and professional development that will become the bulwark of School District #23. Shoulder to shoulder, the divergent members of School District #23, CUPE, COTA, COPVPA and the School District Admin team will be able to grow and learn skills and tools that will bind them more closely in delivering the product to which School District #23 is dedicated-education; formerly education for the classroom students, now education also for all the workplace students. Truly they are the students of life.
The ultimate product of education will now transcend the whole of School District #23, no longer be the preserve of the children in our care and under our tutelage.
The Learning Centre is and will be a milestone to enhance the life and lives of School District #23.
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