Helping PEI families make the early years count!

“Courageous conversations mean having the courage to show up when you can’t control the outcome.” ~ Brené Brown The ECDA is excited to host ECE Sharing and Networking sessions. These are open door meetings that welcome anyone working as a front-line educator. These meetings will provide space to gather with other early childhood educators to share what is on your heart or to seek support. The meetings are a place to listen, provide encouragement, share resources, and connect with your colleagues across the province. We would love to welcome at least one ECE from every Island centre to the network, and we realize some meeting dates will work better than others - so come when you can! The agenda for these sessions will be very flexible and will build over time based on the interest of those participating. Recently we have discussed things such as Dual Language Learners, Behaviours, PD wishes and many other! Come join us this month to see what comes up:) Registration for network meetings is required. This meeting will run with a minimum of 4 participants. These will be held once a month, so come when you can! Based on feedback we have flipped these to be entirely virtual:)

The School Age Supervisor's Network Meeting will take place on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Based on your feedback, we're now offering a hybrid option for this session. This network is open to all supervisors, directors, and administrators of licensed school-age programs. Our goal is to foster open conversation and collaboration to improve quality practices related to human resources, policies, pedagogy, and leadership. We welcome you to attend as you are, whenever you can, if you are in a supervisor position. During each meeting, we will share insights, support one another in our professional and pedagogical roles, delve into topics of interest and current trends, and address daily practices. Together, we will focus on solutions and engage in lively, respectful discussions. We would love to see representatives from every school-age center as we continue to support each other. Please feel free to bring a colleague—we look forward to meeting you or welcoming you back.

The ECDA team and board are proud to present an opportunity for directors, leaders, and stakeholders to come together strengthen relationships, reflect and grow. We will be joined by Bruce Joshua who's motto is: People. Purpose. Perspective. For the morning we will dive into: Culture and Generations Discover how to build a workplace where everyone feels seen, valued, and included. This session explores the foundations of belonging, the realities behind exclusion and discrimination, and the practical steps leaders can take to create a more welcoming environment. Participants will also examine the often-overlooked strengths of introversion in leadership and teamwork, gaining insights that help every individual contribute authentically. An engaging session for professionals committed to shaping a more inclusive, connected organizational culture. In the afternoon we will dive into: Performance Appreciation Transform the way you think about performance appraisals. In fact, let’s change the name, and the mindset! They are performance appreciations! This dynamic session shows how simple shifts can turn evaluations into meaningful conversations that build trust, spark growth, and strengthen workplace culture. Participants will learn practical ways to make feedback more natural and constructive, while also boosting retention, belonging, and overall team success. Perfect for leaders who want performance management to feel less like a task and more like a powerful tool for connection and clarity.   Facilitator Bio Born and raised on Isle Madame in rural Cape Breton, Bruce now makes his home in the Évangeline region of Prince Edward Island. His lifelong commitment to community is reflected in decades of involvement in literacy, education, culture, sport, and recreation—always with a focus on improving quality of life and expanding access to services. Alongside his professional work as an educator and consultant, he has volunteered extensively and served on numerous boards, contributing to community development at every level. Bruce began his career after completing a Bachelor of Education (Physical Education) at Université de Moncton. He later earned three Master of Education degrees: School Administration (Université de Moncton), Curriculum and Instruction (University of New Brunswick), and Leadership and Administration with a specialization in Mental Health (St. Francis Xavier University). He is also a certified Project Management Professional, earning his PMI designation in 2020 and renewing it in 2023. With thirty years in public education, Bruce has held progressive leadership roles and has designed and delivered professional learning locally, regionally, provincially, and nationally. He has taught in the Master of Education program at St. Francis Xavier University, offering courses in change dynamics, leadership, and administrative theory. As a consultant, Bruce has developed and facilitated workshops on outdoor and community-based education, mindfulness, governance, diversity, effective communication, courageous conversations, and HR-related planning. His experience as an athlete, volunteer, educator, and entrepreneur uniquely positions him to support leadership teams in inspiring staff, clients, and communities. Grounded, approachable, and deeply people-focused, Bruce looks forward to working with your teams in the spirit of Capstan Consulting’s motto: People. Purpose. Perspective.