The Kamloops-Thompson School District is working to rebuild employee relations after last year’s union struggles with a professional development day of motivational speakers on Monday.

“It’s basically to build a little esprit de corps to start the year off on a real positive note because after the difficulties we faced last year I think everybody is fatigued with that,” said district assistant superintendent Karl deBruijn.”

The district holds a conference every year, but this year committee members organized the event hoping it would bring all 1,600 school district staffers together from teachers to custodians, bus drivers to administration.

“Everybody was working very hard last year, but they were working in isolation,” said Denise Harper, committee member and school board chair. “There wasn’t that collegial collaboration that would normally happen.”

The committee spent a lot of time selecting the speakers to get the tone, topics and material just right.

“We think that they’ll each in their own way be able to bring us together with humour to achieve a greater understanding and just build that positive culture again,” said Harper. “So we’re excited.”

Linda Edgecombe, Wayne Hulley and Michael Kerr will deliver lively and informative sessions from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sagebrush Theatre.

Edgecombe will lead the group through an educational, hands-on and humorous talk meant to re-focus, re-energize and re-invent how people see their lives and their work.

Hulley’s presentation will focus on the mindset and personal choices that are made by people who choose to make a difference.

“When a group of positive committed individuals come together in a school, a department or a work group they create a positive culture,” he said.

And Kerr teaches why laughter really is the best medicine when it comes to creating a great place to work, managing stress, boosting morale, communicating more effectively and sparking creative thinking.