HTA Professional Development Day
On Friday, February 27, teachers from Hanover School Division gathered at Steinbach Regional Secondary School for HTA Day 2026 — a collaborative professional development day hosted in partnership with the Hanover Teachers’ Association.
The day featured educator and leadership speaker Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, who met with staff in two sessions, connecting with half the group in the morning and half in the afternoon. Reflecting on the experience, he shared how much he appreciated the level of engagement in the room.
“They were all totally locked in… They were locked in from the first story and they stayed with me for 2.5 hours. They were in it the whole time.”
He noted that in some settings participants can seem hesitant or simply present because they are required to attend. In contrast, he described Hanover’s educators as fully invested — a sign, he said, of something deeper: “their willingness to be vulnerable with each other and know that they can take care of each other.”
Acknowledging the Work
During one activity focused on acknowledging and extending the work of others, Dr. Sanfelippo observed a moment that stood out to him. As a staff member was being recognized, colleagues responded with encouragement and support. “Everybody else is cheering him and he just felt good… That was awesome,” he said, describing what he witnessed.
Every Interaction Matters
A central message woven throughout the sessions was the impact of everyday interactions.
“Every interaction matters, and we don’t know which one they’re going to remember.”
Dr. Sanfelippo encouraged staff to approach each interaction with intention. “If we’re more intentional about every interaction, then we’re going to connect on more than we miss. That’s all we can do is give ourselves the best chance.”
For educators, the reminder was a practical one — the small moments of connection matter.
Leadership Rhythms
Dr. Sanfelippo also shared insights from his newest book, Lead From Who You Are, a companion to Lead From Where You Are. He described the concept of “leadership rhythms” — the patterns and consistency leaders bring to their work. Sometimes, he explained, “our rhythms go real high and real low based on the environment that we’re in.” Until leaders learn to regulate those rhythms, “people start to brace themselves before they come and talk to us — and that should never be the case.”
When leadership rhythms become more consistent and predictable, people are more likely to bring forward real concerns, opening the door to meaningful support and shared problem-solving.
Sharing the Story Beyond the Room
Dr. Sanfelippo encouraged teachers to carry the day forward by sharing one story from inside the session with someone outside of it.
By the end of HTA Day 2026, the message was clear: when educators are willing to talk with one another and share their stories beyond the room, momentum follows.
Dr. Sanfelippo is a retired educator and nationally recognized speaker whose career spans more than two decades in schools and district leadership. He spent 26 years in education and the final 12 as Superintendent of the Fall Creek School District in Wisconsin, where his work helped the district earn national recognition for innovation. He holds degrees in education and leadership, including a Ph.D. in Leadership, Learning, and Service, and was named National Superintendent of the Year by Education Dive in 2019. Dr. Sanfelippo is also the author of several books on leadership and school culture, including Lead From Who You Are and Lead From Where You Are.
in: Announcements