The highest leverage strategy of educational improvement efforts is the development of staff capacity. In collaboration with the Cariboo-Chilcotin Teachers Association we are making significant investments in quality professional learning for educators in current, research-based practice to increase knowledge and confidence.
Some examples of the work of are:
- Shifting from one-off workshops to a robust learning series with successive professional development sessions and classroom learning rounds, time to practice and reflect in between, and a community of practice network to support one another
- Learning Series with exceptional BC, Canadian, and global leaders in numeracy, literacy, educational research, inclusion, resilience and trauma-informed practice.
- Common district assessments with support for learning how to administer them, analyze results, and use what is learned to plan for instruction
- District mental health plan
- Full program of support for new teachers in their first three years
Explore the ways we are LEARNING BETTER TOGETHER with support for professional learning in Cariboo-Chilcotin School District:
Graphic Novels
Lac La Hache Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Staff participated in language arts workshops presented by Bryan Gidinski. Staff learned how to use graphic novels to build literacy skills. The learning included having students use dialogue and character thinking in their writing. With reading, graphic novel can practice students sharing inferences between images or used to retell a story or a poem.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/50e03a69-b113-4327-ba05-3fddcb3259de?fingerprint=ppb20260428055212" alt="Graphic Novels todd routtu" width="494" height="659" style="width:494px;height:659px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Using UFLI in Literacy
Lac La Hache Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Learning about the UFLI program and how it introduces and practices literacy skills. Examples of how it is used in classes and how it supports a range of learners were demonstrated. Teachers left with clear language and resources to implement the program in their classrooms.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/99151b28-ef72-49d1-9478-f3f52e1bcabf?fingerprint=ppb20260216204016" alt="Using UFLI in literacy todd routtu" width="484" height="645" style="width:484px;height:645px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Bryan Gidinski Layered Literacy Making Magic Out of Myths
Lac La Hache Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Teachers were presented with a framework for a term’s worth of work of layered literacy strategies which can be broadly applied to multiple grade levels and topics. Good teaching practices were emphasized with examples of student work. Scaffolded approach and a gradual release of responsibility were demonstrated in the term progression and lesson examples.</span></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/12a186c2-0b9d-4f9e-9b3c-02e473d47fa2?fingerprint=ppb20260216203710" alt="Bryan Gidinski layered literacy making magic todd routtu" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/9d74601e-c512-4893-93af-2864df42402f?fingerprint=ppb20260216203710" alt="Bryan Gidinski layered literacy making magic 2 todd routtu" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Carole Fullerton Visit
Lac La Hache Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Lac La Hache Elementary had numeracy expert Carole Fullerton visit. Carole discussed with teachers strategies to teach math better. Then Carole lead a math lesson for the primary class. Teachers observed the lesson and communicated with students to hear their mathematical thinking. Afterwards, teachers had a debrief with Carole to discuss what they saw went well and what they viewed as challenges.</span></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/3e491e4f-9304-4bae-af14-23c926cc7697?fingerprint=ppb20260204065820" alt="Carole Fullerton visit 1 todd routtu" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/530fadbe-0fa3-4ca2-ac64-a9f7bcc63a0e?fingerprint=ppb20260204065820" alt="Carole Fullerton visit 2 todd routtu" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Cultivating a Conscientious Book Culture
Lac La Hache Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Staff was learning about the importance of having a diverse representation in school literature. This diverse representation helps all readers feel valued and increases their understanding of the world. Using the lens of Critical Literacy, staff explored how to engage learners in thoughtful conversations around power, justice, equity, and inclusion.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/fa19c022-b78e-474d-a8ef-96005596f950?fingerprint=ppb20251217040624" alt="Cultivating a Conscientious Book Culture todd routtu" width="408" height="544" style="width:408px;height:544px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Effective Language Arts Teaching
Lac La Hache Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">taff participated in a workshop with Bryan Gidinski. Staff learned about methods to get students to think deeply about what they read and sharing their thinking. Topics covered included Double Entry Diaries and Reading Portfolios.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/48d03c4f-95ff-4ddf-9b94-1e11a2be67d6?fingerprint=ppb20251217034010" alt="Double entry journal workshop with Bryan Gidi todd routtu" width="423" height="317" style="width:423px;height:317px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>
Using Drawing Activities
Lac La Hache Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Staff participated in a professional development workshop to learn how to use drawing activities to help teach. Learning included using drawing to develop speaking and listening skills, using observational skills, textures, using grids, magnification, and bringing the activities to the outdoors.</span></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/b46ab448-1d42-483e-b27b-b0c29a52a184?fingerprint=ppb20260208025526" alt="Learning to make observations with drawings todd routtu" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/af89b4b9-98b7-46a8-9162-7a43593cddb6?fingerprint=ppb20260208025526" alt="Using drawings and grids to show true size todd routtu" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>