Enjoying Some Island Time
Living “off-grid” or away from the constant and incessant hustle of the city is a dream for many city-dwellers. The allure of quiet roads, slow living, and being surrounded by a community where everyone knows your name, heritage, and where you live is compelling. The thought of hearing birds chirping upon waking — and for hours afterwards — paints a simple and romantic picture. I visited recently with some school leaders who are living this reality; while it is in many ways a dream, island living can also have its complexities.
As I waited in line to board the ferry to Salt Spring Island behind a well-loved and well-worn Subaru, I found myself slipping gratefully into the rhythm of island life.
The Gulf Islands School District (SD64) encompasses Mayne Island, Saturna Island, Galiano Island, Pender Island, and Salt Spring Island. The district operates on a four-day workweek — not for leisure, but to accommodate the logistical challenges of transportation across the islands. The days are longer, and the travel is more taxing, but the dedication to learning remains strong.
My first stop would be Pender Island. At 6:15 am, I reported to the dock in Ganges Harbour where the SS Scholarship awaited: this boat takes students, educators, and presenters on their daily journey to their respective schools on Saturna or Pender. The island hadn’t yet opened their coffee shops, nor were cafes open on Saturna or Pender. Still, the warmth of the welcome at Pender Elementary made up for the lack of caffeine! Principal Margot Landahl greeted arriving students with smiles and joy. Margot spends four days a week on Pender, and travels to Saturna one day each week to support that community; the remainder of the time, Vice-Principal Jackie Borosa holds down the fort.
To provide support across the outlying islands, District Principal Adrian Pendergast travels between schools, often in his own boat. Independence and adaptability are clearly essential leadership qualities in these remote settings. The district has created a thoughtful, supportive structure in response to the isolation these leaders can experience.
Back on Salt Spring, Adrian and I visited Principal Amy Dearden and Vice Principal Katharine Byers at Salt Spring Elementary, and then Ryan Massey, Principal at Gulf Islands Secondary, before meeting with the Gulf Islands Principals’ and Vice-Principals’ Association.
The next morning, I caught the Vesuvius ferry and enjoyed a meandering drive through the breathtaking Cowichan Valley. I am deeply grateful for the warm welcome from Cowichan Valley School District (SD79) Superintendent Tim Davie; Secretary-Treasurer, Jason Sandquist; Assistant Superintendents Jeff Rowan, Darleen Reynolds, and Margaret Olsen; and CVPVPA co-leaders, Mike Martin, Principal of Alex Aitken Elementary, and Kevin van der Linden, Principal of Frances Kelsey Secondary. Over breakfast, we shared stories of leadership and district initiatives. While Mount Prevost Elementary Principal Madelin Rocheleau was away at a professional learning session, Vice-Principal Jennie Hittinger invited us to tour the school. We also visited the newly-opened Quw’utsun Secondary, where Darcy Hoff and Scott Jackson stand as co-Principals — this is a vibrant school that reflects the heritage and ancestry of its community. A highlight was visiting Nourish Cowichan, the central hub for food programs throughout the district which ensures that students are fed and ready to learn. Nourish Cowichan was a 2020 recipient of the BCPVPA Partnership Awards.
The final chapter of this week’s journey brought me to the beautiful community of Qualicum. My day began at Ballenas Secondary in Qualicum School District (SD69), where I joined a morning meeting with Principal Trish Cathrine and Director of Instruction Rudy Terpstra during their weekly conversation on current topics. Vice-Principals Heather Deering and Mario Tenisci were busy greeting students and welcoming families to begin the day of learning and engagement. Directly after this, we hopped on the road and made our way to Bowser Elementary to meet with Principal Brayden Gordon, and then to Errington Elementary where we met with Principal Lori Marshall and Vice-Principal Jennifer Lunny.
I was also fortunate to meet with Superintendent Dr. Peter Jory who leads this vibrant and evolving district. Dr. Jory navigates the unique challenges of balancing rural and urban school needs, supporting recruitment and retention challenges, and ensuring that students and staff across all communities feel connected, supported, and seen. The work of building strong Indigenous partnerships and fostering innovative, place-based learning environments speaks to the district’s vision, and his thoughtful leadership.
The day closed with an inspiring visit to the Winchelsea Learning Center where I connected with District Principal of Indigenous Education, Katie Marren. I had the honour of being part of the work the Indigenous Education department is doing to bring the creation story of the Qualicum First Nations to life, a powerful initiative and a moment I will carry with me. Incoming Chapter President and Principal of Qualicum Beach Elementary School Corleen McKinnon-Sanderson organized a wonderful district team gathering where everyone could connect and unwind.
The stories of rural and remote education leaders show deep dedication, resilience, and creativity. The pace isn’t slower — it’s just different. The demands may not mirror those of urban schools, but they are just as profound. It is heartening to see how districts are building intentional infrastructure and support systems for leaders working in these unique and often isolated contexts.