Conference Schedule

Friday, April 24, 2026

Opening Remarks, Territorial Acknowledgement & Introductions

Updates from the Ministry of Education and Child Care

Navigating Conflict in School Communities
Nadia Kyba - Founder, Now What Facilitation
Conflict happens in every school community. It is not a matter of if, but when. The good news is that it does not have to blow up. This session gives PAC members and parent leaders simple, practical tools to spot early signs of conflict and respond before things escalate. You will learn the difference between disagreement and conflict, how assumptions fuel tension, and how to shift conversations in a more productive direction without needing to be an expert.

What Issues do you Want to Raise in the Fall 2026 Municipal Elections?
Adrienne Montani, Executive Director – First Call Child and Youth Advocacy Society
Elections are the perfect time to speak up for children and youth. First Call develops and publishes election toolkits for each municipal, provincial and federal election in BC. These toolkits can help you to put children and youth first on the public policy agenda during election cycles. Municipal elections, which include the election of school trustees, present an opportunity to educate candidates and voters about key local issues and the concerns of families, parents, students, teachers, organizations and other community members.

The Top 10 Governance Tips Driving PAC Performance
Raewyn Brewer – Former Governance Lawyer
This fast-paced 90-minute session cuts through theory and gets straight to what works for PACs that want efficient meetings, engaged stakeholders, and strong decision-making. Raewyn will break down the top 10 governance tips that separate high-performing PACs from the rest—covering roles and responsibilities, decision discipline, effective meetings, managing friction, and keeping PAC’s purpose front and centre. Expect practical, real-world insights you can apply immediately at your school. The session is interactive and outcome-focused, with dedicated time for Q&A so participants can tackle real challenges and leave with clear, actionable next steps.

Minister of Education and Child Care - The Honourable Lisa Beare

From Positions to Progress
Nadia Kyba - Founder, Now What Facilitation
Ever been in a meeting where everyone is stuck on their side and nothing is moving forward? This session is all about getting unstuck. Designed for PAC leaders, you will learn how to move beyond positions, understand what is really driving the conversation, and guide discussions toward progress. Walk away with a simple, practical process you can use right away, even in those “here we go again” moments.

BCCPAC Governance: Current State and Opportunities Ahead
Raewyn Brewer – Former Governance Lawyer
Think PACs aren’t your thing? Think again! Join the BCCPAC Board as we go back to basics and build a toolkit together. We'll chat about community and team building, finding new faces and how to make your PAC or DPAC more inclusive. Get ready to share your own success stories and leave with fresh ideas to bring your community together. Let’s make PACs for everyone!

CB-IEPs in Action: Opportunities, Challenges, and Realities
Veena Birring Hayer - Family- School Liaison Consultant, POPARD (Provincial Outreach Program for Autism & Related Disorders)
The Individual Education Plan (IEP) is central to inclusive education in BC, supporting students with diverse learning needs. This workshop discusses the Competency-Based IEP (CB-IEP), emphasizing inclusion, student voice, and strengths-based planning. Participants will explore how CB-IEPs align with BC’s redesigned curriculum, support individualized learning goals, and navigate common home-school challenges. The session covers the evolution of IEP frameworks, shared responsibilities of school teams and families, strategies for meaningful caregiver engagement, and a practical, step-by-step example of developing a CB-IEP that can support students’ unique profiles.

The Hidden Roots of Anxiety and Aggression—and How to Grow Resilient Kids
Hannah Beach – Keynote Speaker
Children today are more anxious, aggressive, and shut down than ever before. Many of our kids are anxious and glued to their phones/devices, seeking endless distraction and feeling isolated and disconnected. Aggressive outbursts have become common and yet others seem to have stopped talking all together. It leaves many of us walking on eggshells, unsure of how to help. We, the adults who love them, are exhausted. We encourage, comfort, and beg. We set up systems of rewards and consequences. We try being stricter, then softer, we set limits: we do all the things we’re told might work. And still… nothing. Some of us have grown so weary, that we now just tiptoe around our kids, careful not to set off the volcano (or the vanishing) when all we wanted was to be close.
In this warm, conversational keynote, #1 Globe & Mail bestselling author Hannah Beach uncovers the emotional roots driving these challenges. With humour and hope, she explores what is going on and practical strategies we can use to support our kids to thrive. We will delve into what wires the brain for resilience and how we can jump off the exhausting hamster wheel of trying to fix behaviours over and over again - and instead look at how we can work towards lasting change.
This conversation has never been more urgent as we look to how we can support our children to grow, develop and discover their best selves.