We are saddened to have to report that after a lot of thought and discussion, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2021 conference. The COVID-19 pandemic
shows no sign of abating in time, and unlike other PSAs who hold their conference in October, and who have been told definitively by the BCTF that any conference held
then must be virtual, we are in the untenable position of not knowing whether we have to be virtual or if we can hold our traditional gathering. It was not possible,
both logistically and financially, to plan for two entirely different conferences and pick one at the last minute once the situation became clear. Rest assured that we
are hard at work planning for 2022, and look forward to seeing you then.
The BCAEA engages in a number of activities for its members, including holding a conference in Vancouver every February, publishing a newsletter twice a year, maintaining a provincial alternate programs directory, and providing a list serve. We also provide $16,000 annually in awards for eligible students and grants for eligible teachers.
Well, the 2020 conference is over and what a great conference it was! 488 of you registered, and 288 came to The Schmooze. Thanks to everyone who downloaded the conference app!
The Association provides grants and awards to member teachers and awards and bursaries to member-sponsored students totalling $16,000. Just one of the perks of membership!
Attend our annual conference and automatically get a one year association membership. If you didn’t attend the conference, you can still pay the fee and join the PSA.
The Association publishes the conference brochure each fall, and a newsletter in the fall and spring. Members choose to receive these as either an electronic or paper copies.
At the AGM each year elections are held to fill positions on the Executive. President and Vice President are normally elected in odd years, and Treasurer, Secretary, and Newsletter Editor are elected in even years, all for two year terms. This year we held elections for Secretary, Newsletter Editor, and Treasurer.
At Saturdays’s post-conference Executive Meeting (where work begins on planning next year’s conference), DJ Pauls was appointed Conference Coordinator, Karen Gadowsky was appointed Speaker Coordinator, Christine Thygesen was appointed Registrar, and Mike Shaw was appointed Publications Manager. All appointed positions are for a term of one year.
Both elected positions and appointed positions take effect on July 1 each year.
Michele Genge teaches in the Advantage Program at Highland Secondary in Comox.
Sean Blake teaches in the Rutland Learning Centre, a satellite of Central Programs & Services in Kelowna.
James Martyn is a teacher at Fraserview Learning Centre. He lives in Abbotsford.