Students Ask: Why So Few of Us at CEA’s Calgary Conference?

(from left to right) Student George W., CBE Learning Leader Deborah Bradbury and students Cynthia H, Matt N and Wyatt C at the CEA Conference in Calgary.

(from left to right) Student George W., CBE Learning Leader Deborah Bradbury and students Cynthia H, Matt N and Wyatt C at the CEA Conference in Calgary.

We felt both humbled and intimidated as we approached our assigned tables at this year’s Canadian Education Association conference. Each of us was seated with a different group of teachers, principals, and education officials from across Canada. Although the conference was filled with an astounding diversity of people, it was clear that we were all passionate about improving education in our country, and we all had the same question on our minds: what’s standing in the way of change? Through a series of presentations, we were inspired to tackle this issue from a wide range of perspectives. As students, we felt honoured to participate in challenging, thought-provoking discussions about the obstacles between us, and change, and more importantly, what we can do as students and professionals to overcome these barriers. The teachers and educators we spoke to were incredibly insightful, offering perspectives and experiences, which we might never have considered otherwise. Also, by providing nametags without titles or even surnames, the CEA was mostly successful in keeping prejudices and predispositions from interfering with meaningful discourse. Despite their efforts, a certain disparity remained clear: the distinct lack of students at the conference.

The limited presence of students at the conference showed us one of the obstructions to change – communication. Most of the people we spoke to agreed that our current standards of communication are insufficient, not just in conferences like these, but at all levels of the education system – in the classrooms, in the administrative offices, and in the boardrooms.

The limited presence of students at the conference showed us one of the obstructions to change – communication. Most of the people we spoke to agreed that our current standards of communication are insufficient, not just in conferences like these, but at all levels of the education system – in the classrooms, in the administrative offices, and in the boardrooms. Canadian educators have made incredible efforts to improve our system, but we feel that where they fall short is in effectively informing students and the public about the importance of these changes. As representatives of the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) student population, we feel that this miscommunication must be resolved before any real change can take place. To us, the most obvious way to improve communication between educators and the public is to establish platforms for students and their families to participate in all levels of education. There needs to be effective two-way communication – response and feedback – between educators and stakeholders. We are faced by many challenges in creating these kinds of interfaces, but unless we are willing to overcome them, it is our own complacency that stands in the way of change.

We firmly believe that students are just as responsible for the future of education as anyone else. All of us must be willing to step outside of our comfort zones, for it is only by taking unprecedented measures that we can break new ground in education.

We now realize that the obstacles we face in trying to change education are rooted as much in our own attitudes as in any societal or institutional challenges. Anyone who wants to effect lasting change must understand that boundaries will be crossed, and the necessary changes will not always be comfortable. In many cases, our aversion to change is the only thing really preventing progress. As Canadians, we all have a vested interest in the improvement of our country’s education systems, and we must change our attitudes to reflect that; we must accept that we each have a personal responsibility for bringing about change. We firmly believe that students are just as responsible for the future of education as anyone else. All of us must be willing to step outside of our comfort zones, for it is only by taking unprecedented measures that we can break new ground in education.

The CEA Calgary conference proved an invaluable start to our journey of improving education. It was an honour and a privilege to be in attendance. We’d like to thank the CEA for organizing the conference, and the CBE for providing us with this amazing opportunity. We are excited to pass on what we’ve learned to other students, and we hope that they will join us in our efforts to improve education in Canada.

Meet the Expert(s)

CBE Students

The Calgary Board of Education’s approach to student leadership has continued this fall with the Chief Superintendent's Senior Advisory Council (CSSAC).  This advisory sets a precedent for advancing student leadership initiatives within a personalized learning framework and a community-based learning environment. It allows high school students to earn credits for work completed outside the traditional school day and traditional high school setting. This leadership initiative supports the notion of extended learning beyond the classroom, in a collaborative environment, and with relevant and authentic opportunities to connect with key administrative leaders within the CBE.

This Council affords CBE high school students the opportunity to communicate directly with the Chief Superintendent of Schools on educational issues of interest to students across the system. As Council members; students develop leadership skills with practical, relevant applications to life outside of school. They are involved in discussions on current educational issues -- helping to shape the future of education in our city, province and country – while gaining valuable leadership experience.  For more information on CSSAC, please contact Deborah Bradbury at dvbradbury@cbe.ab.ca

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