By Donna Lorenz, Communications Specialist
I was recently invited to tag along at our school board’s full-day Professional Activity (PA) symposium for secondary educators, held at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Secondary School in Barrie. And let me tell you, if you’ve ever wondered what happens when over 600 educators descend upon one school, it’s a bustling hive of energy and collaboration.
As a member of our board's non-teaching staff, I was eager to gain a firsthand perspective of the incredible work our educators do every day.
The truth is, this event was so much more than just an opportunity to network with fellow educators. It was a chance to get an inside peek at what secondary PA days are really like. And what I heard, saw, and learned that day changed my way of thinking—about teaching, about education, and even about the state of our collective mental health.
The day kicked off with an impressive array of presentations and guest speakers, each one about topics near and dear to an educator’s heart. I had picked my presentations beforehand, and with 65 options, the choice was tough. Sessions ranged from classroom innovation to supporting diverse student needs.
"Reconciliation begins with understanding."
One of the day's highlights for me was hearing Niigaan Sinclair speak about reconciliation. His father, the Honourable Murray Sinclair, was a Canadian Senator and a passionate advocate, mentor, and educator who devoted his life to amplifying the voices of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. Niigaan is clearly his father’s son, as he also works tirelessly to promote understanding, empathy, and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities across Canada. We were honoured to host him on this day, as it was Niigaan’s first speaking engagement since his father’s passing on November 4th. His presentation was moving and inspiring, and everyone left with a copy of his book Wînipêk, a national best-seller and winner of the 2024 Governor General's Literary Award for Nonfiction.
"If the big people aren’t okay, the little people don’t stand a chance."
For me, the real gem of the day came from the afternoon keynote speaker, Dr. Jody Carrington. If you don’t know her, you should. She’s one of those people who can make you laugh one minute and then think deeply the next. Her presentation was an emotional roller coaster—full of humour, wisdom, and, yes, a few tears. She spoke about the “mental health crisis” in our communities, but with a twist: she argued that what we’re really facing is an emotional deregulation crisis. Essentially, we’re all just struggling to keep the lid on our emotions—and when it blows, the impact can be deeply felt in our homes, schools, and communities.
Dr. Carrington had a powerful message that really struck me: “If the big people aren’t okay, the little people don’t stand a chance.” She repeated this throughout her talk, and it hit home in ways I hadn’t expected because I identify first and foremost as a parent. It resonated with educators and parents alike, highlighting the immense responsibility adults carry in shaping the emotional health of the next generation. If we, as adults, don’t manage our own emotional well-being, how can we possibly help the next generation do the same?
Perhaps the most profound part of her message was when she challenged us all to rethink the way we approach students who might be struggling. Instead of asking, “What is wrong with that kid?” she urged us to ask, “What happened to that kid?” It was one of those “lightbulb” moments—suddenly, everything clicked. It's not about fixing something that’s broken. It's about understanding and showing compassion.
"At the heart of education is the well-being of every individual."
I walked away from that PA day feeling like I’d gained more than just a few new ideas to share with my colleagues, friends, and family. I felt like I’d gained a new perspective on what it truly means to support the emotional and mental well-being of those around us. While I may not have left with classroom-specific strategies, what I did take away was far more valuable—a reminder that at the heart of education, it’s all about people.
So, what happens at a secondary PA day? You laugh, you cry, you learn, you reconnect with old friends, and you make new ones. But more than that, you leave with a renewed appreciation for your role in education—whether you're in the classroom or supporting classrooms from the board office. You walk away with a fresh perspective on some truly important issues—like the need for reconciliation and how I can contribute to it, the challenge of emotional deregulation, and the vital role we all play in modeling emotional resilience so that both the 'big people' and the 'little people' around us can better navigate the ups and downs of life.