Dr. Gordon Martell

The beginning of July not only signals celebrations of Canada and the beginning of the summer holiday season, but for 62 years, early career, aspiring, and experienced educational leaders have been gathering to exchange ideas and inspirations, and to develop the skills and knowledge commensurate with effective educational leadership. The 2026 Saskatchewan Principals’ Short Course will continue in that tradition under the theme of Developing Leadership Voice and Participation in the Saskatchewan Provincial Education Plan. The Saskatchewan Provincial Education Plan centers the sector priorities of Learning and Assessment; Mental Health and Well-being; Student Transitions, and Indigenous Education.

Our goal is to create an opportunity where our conference delegates can appreciate the four drivers of the Saskatchewan Provincial Education Plan as pathways to success for students, families, and communities, and to nurture their capacity to grow in leadership along these pathways. It is often said that educational leadership is a lonely endeavour, but we know from research and experience that leaders are more effective and confident when they engage with their peers and work together to address challenges and opportunities in education. Learning within the context of the Provincial Education Plan provides a common currency where we can all engage with these priorities in ways that are informed by our prior knowledge and experiences, and in ways that matter for our own contexts and priorities.

The sub-theme of the 2026 Saskatchewan Principals’ Short Course is alignment. Delegates will experience engaging and informative keynote presentations consistent with the priorities of the Provincial Education Plan, as well as Impact Sessions that align with the plan while offering choice in focussing learning in areas that matter most to our delegates. As we are always looking to improve the learning experience for participants, we are bringing a workshop focus to the small group learning we typically refer to as Fireside Learning Communities. In addition to collegial knowledge exchange and opportunities to share stories for mutual learning, these learning communities will dive more deeply into the four priorities of the Provincial Education Plan through practical and applied examples, case studies, and practice. We believe that this alignment and immersion will contribute to delegates sense of ownership and optimism as they venture forth into their new or established leadership trajectories.

Accordingly, the 2026 Saskatchewan Principals’ Short Course will facilitate the development of knowledge and skills to:

1. Motivate and facilitate the development of collaborative communities that create the conditions for high-quality Learning and Assessment opportunities in schools.
2. Centre the Mental Health and Well-being needs of students, families, and staff with an understanding that to learn well we must be well.
3. Facilitate Student Transition pathways for lifelong learning that recognizes the needs of individuals and communities, and that adopts appreciative and non-deficit approaches to advancing through a continuum of learning.
4. Foster leadership commitments and confidence to engage with Indigenous peoples, communities, and knowledges to ensure that Indigenous students succeed in familiar and endorsing learning environments, and that all students engage with Indigenous histories, knowledges, and communities.

The Provincial Education Plan offers gathering points that help to focus energies and resources so that we move from awareness of the importance of these key priorities, to engaging with these priorities collectively and with vigour. Our goal is that as leaders we gain confidence that we are informed, engaged, prepared, and effective in addressing our collective goals and contributing to the kinds of communities that we aspire to live, work, and play in.

Program Objectives

The primary goals of the SPSC are to provide opportunity for aspiring, early career, and experienced educational leaders in provincial and First Nations schools to engage with current and relevant issues and priorities and learn from each other. Through these collaborations, delegates will be confident that if we understand and focus on our priorities, we can contribute to positive changes and outcomes that contribute to enhanced student engagement and outcomes and that centres schools in preparing children and youth for bright futures in a peaceful and prosperous province and beyond.

The 2026 Saskatchewan Principals’ Short Course will enable participants to:

• Develop foundational knowledge regarding the priorities of the Saskatchewan Provincial Education Plan, and an understanding of the role of school leaders in advancing these priorities for student and community success.
• Develop a rationale and strategies to advance these priorities within the context of schools, professional practice, and community-centred initiatives.
• Established networks and connections with peers and leaders in provincial and First Nations schools and educational organizations to support ongoing growth and development in leading focus and change in schools.
• Learn about innovative strategies, programs, initiatives, and partnerships that advance outcomes within the context of the Provincial Education Plan priorities.
• Develop a support network of diverse peers from across the province to provide opportunities for learning, collaboration, and support.

Short Course Design

The 2026 Saskatchewan Principals’ Short Course follows the principles of a gradual release of responsibility through whole group learning focussed on the Provincial Education Plan priorities of Learning and Assessment; Mental Health and Well-being; Student Transitions, and Indigenous Education. Through inspirational keynote addresses in these areas focused on skills and strategies rather than only ideas and imperatives, delegates will encounter provincial leaders who are informing and guiding these priorities. Following the keynote addresses, delegates will participate in Fireside Learning Communities that will workshop learning as an extension of the keynotes to enliven and apply the learning to the responsibilities and opportunities of school leaders. The impact sessions will continue to offer choice in focusing, delegate learning, but with close alignment to the four priority areas of the Saskatchewan Provincial Education Plan.

A hallmark of the Saskatchewan Principals’ Short Course is the opportunity for collegial learning and building relationships. The short course provides many opportunities to do just that through walks through our beautiful USask campus to enjoy the amazing culinary delights at Marquis Hall; an opening day social with live entertainment; and a new offering for this year, a Saskatchewan Indigenous talent showcase. In the spirit of reciprocity, we believe that you bring the best of yourselves and a willingness to learn and grow as educational leaders, so that we are committed to offering you world-class learning opportunities that are focused, informative, and inspiring. While conferences are great, the Saskatchewan Principals’ Short Course offers you opportunities to learn and do, so that you fill up your leadership toolkit and look back at your time spent in a beautiful place with great people with fondness as you contribute to the change and growth that we aspire to in ensuring that our provincial and First Nations education sectors are prepared, strong, and effective.