Leadership and Development in Vernon School District: A Model for Growth
On a crisp snowy day, I landed in Kelowna and made my way to the Vernon School District, SD22. The city of Vernon promotes a lifestyle that values nature and healthy living, and is home to SilverStar Mountain Resort, a destination for mountain biking and skiing; and to Kalamalka Lake – the lake of a thousand colours – a backdrop for swimming, paddleboarding, and boating.
Alongside the natural beauty of the area, there is a vibrant arts community, with exhibitions and performances centered at the Vernon Public Art Gallery and the historic Vernon Performing Arts Centre. The city also hosts the annual Vernon Winter Carnival, one of Canada’s largest winter festivals. Agriculture and viticulture are central to Vernon’s identity, with local wineries, cideries, and fresh fruit orchards contributing to the region’s economy and culinary landscape, making Vernon a dynamic place to live and work .
What stood out most in my visit to Vernon was the district's intentional approach to strengthening leadership at all levels, with an approach that prioritizes collaboration, innovation, and professional growth for Principals and Vice-Principals. I was grateful to have the red carpet literally rolled out for my visit to Lavington Elementary School with Principal Mike Sutch. As the school undergoes an upgrade, Mike continues to lead with vitality and joy! I next made my way to Kalamalka Secondary and met with Principal Jeff Huggins. The school tour highlighted the brilliant care the maintenance department provides in the district. Part of the building still has the original lockers from 1970, and their pristine condition matched that of the building. I then met up with Moira Manthorne, Principal of Ecole Beairsto Elementary, and we made our way to Alexis Park Elementary to connect with Principal Carol-Ann Leidloff. Carol-Ann talked about the work they are doing to ensure that their most vulnerable students are well supported, despite the current constraints relating to recruitment and retention of support staff. It was a delight to see the work being done at Alexis Park to support staff professional learning, and to see it demonstrated in the positive ‘feel’ of the school.
The role of school leaders on a global scale has never been more complex, demanding, or important. Vernon is a district that understands this reality, and has responded by establishing systems that both support the development of administrators, and empower them to lead with confidence and vision. Through targeted professional learning, and a strong culture of shared leadership, Vernon is fostering a leadership team that is well-equipped to meet the evolving needs of students and educators alike.
One of the key investments in Vernon has been in leadership development programs that provide meaningful, ongoing learning opportunities for Principals and Vice-Principals. The district has ventured beyond one-off workshops to embrace a model of continuous professional learning. This approach ensures that administrators are not only gaining new skills, but also have the space to reflect, collaborate, and apply their learning in ways that directly impact their schools. The emphasis on mentorship and peer support further strengthens this model, creating a community where school leaders can learn from one another and grow together.
Vernon is also working on putting structures in place to support effective leadership. This includes clear frameworks for collaboration between school leaders and district staff, strategic planning processes that prioritize student success, and an overall commitment to fostering a culture where innovation is encouraged. The district is reinforcing the idea that leadership is not just about managing schools: it is about inspiring change, supporting educators and, ultimately, making a difference in the lives of students.
This support was illustrated in the level of enthusiasm and dedication shown by the school and district leaders I met. They spoke passionately about the ways they are supported in their roles, and the opportunities they have to grow as leaders.
Through investing in the growth and success of their Principals and Vice-Principals, districts set a standard for empowering those leaders to create thriving learning environments for students and staff alike. Strong leadership doesn’t happen by chance; it happens through intentional investment, a culture of collaboration, and a shared commitment to excellence. And that is something to be celebrated in districts around the province.