March 13, 2020

On embracing change

John F. Kennedy once said, “Change is the law of life, and those who only look to the past and present are certain to miss the future.”

These days, it seems like the only constant is change. Just in the past 12 short months, we have had a new provincial government and a new federal government. Many are concerned about the arrival in Alberta of the coronavirus pandemic or the sudden drop in oil prices thanks to an oil price war half a world away, and worry about what that loss might mean for their job or their investments.

Closer to home, K-12 education in Alberta is undergoing change, from curriculum development to a new funding formula and the pending introduction in the Alberta Legislature of a bill on education choice.

Even the Public School Boards’ Association of Alberta is not immune to change: this month we say thank you and bid a fond farewell to outgoing Executive Director Brian Callaghan, and say welcome to our new Executive Director and CEO, Troy Tait. We’re glad Brian isn’t going too far away from us — he’ll still be one of our education consultants and a valued colleague — but this is one more change in a sea of change.

So, what to do with all this change?

I’m reminded of and inspired by the pin that says, “Children First.” In all this change, as public school board trustees, as parents, and as community members – we need to remember to always put our children first. Certainly first in our hearts, but also first in our priorities and first in our decision-making. It’s essential to keep our children’s aspirations, hopes and dreams uppermost in our minds.

There is no doubt that there will be tough decisions ahead if school boards are to balance their education budgets for the coming school year that begins in September. I know every school board and every trustee is going to work very hard to get the most value from every dollar that is entrusted to them. One of the key ways we can maximize this value is to realize that change brings the opportunity for new ideas, new partnerships and collaboration – and capitalize on those opportunities.

Sometimes, change is sad because it means saying goodbye to some things in our past that we have enjoyed or appreciated. But I think it’s essential that we embrace the future, even if it’s an uncertain one, and work together. There is more that unites us than divides us, especially when we choose to put children first.

Spring is a time for optimism: the snow is beginning to melt for real this time, and the daylight hours are getting longer. While there’s nostalgia for the past, there is also a renewing of enthusiasm for the future.

Helen Keller once said, “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow.” May it be said of us that we embrace change – however uncertain – and always look for the opportunities that lead to sunnier days ahead.

I wish you a healthy, restful and wonderful Spring Break!