Submitted by: Jane Douglas Charanduk, Communications Consultant, Limestone District School Board in Kingston, Ontario
Montreal, the perfect backdrop for this year’s conference, marked the 16th I have attended in the 20 years I have been a member of the Canadian Association of Communicators in Education (CACE). From the moment I arrived, I could feel that tangible energy of innovative thinkers in one location, ready to connect and learn. That feeling reminded me of why I value being a part of CACE and served as the inspiration for ‘The 5 Ps of CACE.’
People
I have always valued the personal connections that CACE membership affords me. The time spent during conferences in relaxed conversations and table-top activities with colleagues truly support the important work we do advancing excellence in public education.
The CACE network provides a wealth of experience and expertise. I have learned, and continue to learn, a great deal from my CACE colleagues. As a one-person “Comms shop” for many years, it was my CACE colleagues to whom I would turn for advice or feedback on many issues, including tragic local and world events, school closures, trustee conduct or staff in conflict. From comms plans to policies and podcasts, a CACE member with proven strategies and tactics is willing to share.
It is the gift of connections – the opportunity to expand our horizons and form bonds that might not have been possible otherwise.
I value this kinship.
Professional Learning
Staying relevant and adapting to constant change is key to our success as communicators in education.
Stakeholder expectations have rapidly changed (and increased) over the last decade, and so has the importance of professional development activities. Issues-driven and results-oriented, these connections provide us with opportunities to share similar experiences and resources to manage any issue effectively. Often and in an instant.
CACE national conferences, provincial webinars and meetings have provided rich, professional learning and best practices that can be easily adapted to our organizations.
Program
This year’s conference, Evolution, delivered on its promise to advance our knowledge and practices on key issues facing communicators in education.
CACE continues to be a community of individuals who want to learn from each other. We need that, and there is no better way to adapt and learn as we go than from the people around us who have done it right already.
A fitting example of this was the sessions on Artificial Intelligence (AI) – its capabilities, functionalities and potential applications in various communication and educational settings. It was a remarkable learning experience.
Places
Time to explore the host city with new colleagues and friends allows us to deepen our relationships and, more importantly, provides space for us to relax. I have had the privilege of visiting cities from coast to coast–a benefit of a membership.
And sometimes, we find our inner superhero along the way.
Shifting the Paradigm
As a veteran CACE member, I have seen how technology and societal attitudes transform the framework we work within as communication professionals in education. The way we learn, the way we interact and the way we live our lives.
As AI-powered applications are transforming how educators teach and how students learn, making education more interactive and accessible, and with the growing emphasis on meeting diverse learning needs and lifestyles, our role as professional communicators must also be more inclusive, flexible and holistic in its approach.
Evolution offered valuable insight into how we, as communicators, can effectively convey these changes through building relationships and fostering collaboration and feedback while using data and research to inform our communication strategies.