February 2009

The second half of the 2008-2009 school year is underway. The excitement of fall elections and the Christmas season is behind us. Ontario is now deep in winter and the constant talk of economic depression adds to the gloominess of the weather.

Initiatives are somewhat slower in education in this climate and it is a good time for senior leaders to pause and reflect and look closely at what is working well and what needs a push or an upgrade over the next few months. Soon you will be making plans for next year and prioritizing the next budget. As Jim Grieve, president of CASA, points out recently, “It is in such tough financial situations that we discover the strength of a well-articulated, student-focused strategic plan.”

Most importantly, the job of the supervisory officer is one of keeping the focus on quality. Determine what can be done and what programs sustained at a high level to maintain the best student achievement.

These are times when senior administrators must increase their visibility with positive direction to the system. Support and praise for the good work of staff will be more important than ever.

Frank Kelly

November 2008

In October and November, OPSOA has been involved in a number of conferences and training sessions as part of the on-going program of professional development for members.

The New Supervisory Officer program held in Toronto brought together 25 first year superintendents, providing the opportunity to network and discuss common issues and solutions related to the new position.  On the second day of the program, these members joined with their OCSOA counterparts and participated in an interactive session with senior Ministry officials.

The S.O.W.I.A.A. program in Niagara-on-the-Lake was attended by 24 principals and curriculum leaders wishing to investigate the job of the supervisory officer.  The OPSOA team presented the realities of the position and asked the registrants to consider moving forward with a career in system leadership.

In early November, 180 professional assistants who work with directors and superintendents met in Niagara Falls for a two day program with speakers and interactive sessions on skill building and well-being.

OPSOA members in large numbers were a part of nearly 600 who attended the CODE Special Education Symposium, November 17-18, in Toronto.  This program offered a summary of the many projects developed in district school boards over the past three years.  The Minister of Education and the Lieutenant Governor spoke at the symposium.  Sir Kenneth Robinson addressed the group on November 18th and brought a message of celebrating human diversity and focusing on abilities and not disabilities.  The Acting Deputy Minister closed the conference with a statistical review of activity and progress towards closing the achievement gap. 

OPSOA, as a partner with CODE and the Ministry of Education, continues to play an active role in staff development of its membership.

Frank Kelly

September 2008

Another school year is underway. OPSOA members got schools off to a smooth start with new students, new staff and, in some cases, new facilities. The opening of the learning year is a credit to the planning and strategic choices of our teams across the province. Well done!

This summer featured the Olympics in China, a great spectacle and competitive event that showed us how closely related our world can be in a positive way. We all learned that Canada is just one small part of this universe and that we must strive to improve to hold a featured place as a nation.
Another lesson of the Olympics we all watched was the value of understanding other countries and cultures. Every four years, we are ‘surprised’ that different nations can produce such outstanding athletes. And then we forget and smugly revert to our local development strategies and do not learn from what others have done so well.

Education has models of achievement similar to athletics. Other countries are working hard to raise their levels of achievement and they are having good successes. It is our responsibility as supervisory officers to investigate what is working around the world and to apply these lessons in Ontario. We must strive to be world class in learning as in athletics and other aspects of our lives.

Frank Kelly

May 2008

As the 2007-2008 school year begins to wind down, it is time to reflect on some highlights. This has been a year of achievement in district school boards. In keeping with the objectives of government, our schools are graduating more students, retaining more students and the level of achievement has continued its steady climb in a positive manner.  This is a good news story.

The coordinated initiatives of Student Success and Literacy and Numeracy continue to put an emphasis on program changes coupled with improved instructional methodology. Ontario schools are trying hard to design learning to suit the needs of all students. Considerable funding has gone into staff development and training related to key activities.

Labour relations have been cooperative. Negotiations are now under way for the next round of contracts. It is hoped that they will be concluded well before next year begins.

This has been a positive and productive year in education. OPSOA members have played a major part in creating and sustaining this progressive climate.

March 2008

Once again it is time for the annual OPSOA conference. Our theme this year celebrates the diversity of public education in Ontario. The committee has worked to produce a program that will involve all of our participants in different aspects of diversity. The opening keynote will be provided by Andy Hargreaves who has a world-wide perspective and will comment on the requirements of the new educational needs of our students.

A panel on the first day of the conference will give insights on special needs students, native programming, meeting racial needs and working with different sexual preferences within our schools.

One of the most interesting parts of our conference is always the breakout sessions provided by our members. It is here that we see exciting program developments that work and the offerings this year focus on a broad selection of programs handing prominent issues.

On Thursday afternoon our members gather for regional networking and debate. On Friday, our annual general meeting sets the stage for the work of next year’s executive. Then we hear from Minister of Education, Kathleen Wynne. And our closing speaker is our longtime associate and member, Avis Glaze, who will provide insights on diversity from her great variety of experience.

During the conference we will recognize the significant contribution of a number of our members. The great benefit of our gathering in Toronto will be the opportunity to meet colleagues and reestablish professional networking in a learning and social environment.

Already, more than half of our members have registered for the conference. If you have not registered, join your colleagues for a valuable experience. And don’t forget the pre-conference on Wednesday, April 16 – a chance to bring a board team and spend a day with Andy Hargreaves. 

Frank Kelly

February 2008

At the AASA conference in February, the keynote speakers were Frank McCourt, Daniel Pink and Soledad O’Brien. All spoke of the innate creative abilities of learners and asked educators to recognize this and provide flexibility of program and recognition of diverse abilities.

McCourt who wrote best sellers such as Angela’s Ashes and Teacher Man talked about his career as a teacher in New York and spoke of the damage of poverty and the struggle of many students to survive and learn.

Pink, author of A Whole New Mind, addressed the world changes that are promoting artistry, inventiveness and big-picture thinking as opposed to logical, linear sequential and analytical thinking. He asked educators to move away from routines, right answers and standardization.

O’Brien, correspondent for CNN, is an advocate for public education and the involvement of parents in education. She asked educators to take time to consider how to best engage young people in a very different world. In her speech, the mother of four, referred to a variety of young people she has met as a correspondent and pointed out their different ways of relating to schools and learning. She talked about how educators can  relate best to media and work in concert with media. 

I recommend each of these speakers and their work. All have valuable perspectives on public education – one from the teaching side, one from the viewpoint of business and one from the perspective of media and parenting.

January 2008

Supervisory officers are known for their lifelong learning desire. The 300 OPSOA members across Ontario participate in skill upgrading and new courses at an outstanding rate. And this continuing learning makes them stronger in the delivery of positive learning in public district school boards.

Apart from academic upgrading, members take executive training, leadership development courses and a wide variety of skill-building and interest courses.

There is no restriction on what will help the senior administrator in performing leadership duties. Most important is the involvement in adult learning and sharing new knowledge with colleagues and staff.

The supervisory officer has an obligation to lead with new ideas and new procedures. The outcome will be a sharing of ideas and a constant revitalization of our systems.

Apart from the formal learning, there are simple common trends that education leaders should consider and learn about. One of these is the practical handling of communication; another is adapting to the speed of change and working effectively in this new age where speed is a most significant challenge.

These are topics that supervisory officers continue to contend with in order to make their jobs more manageable. Please forward ideas and tips we can share on these topics and others.

Frank Kelly