My passion and belief in a strong, properly funded, publicly delivered education system combined with my experience in the education sector calls me to be a trustee who will advocate for improvements within SPSD that will allow students, staff, and all involved in the system to thrive.
The change in the education funding model has created significant challenges for Boards of Education. I want to bring my experience as a teacher, administrator and board member to the SPSD so I can work with the entire board and the management team to ensure division funding is allocated effectively to meet the needs of all students.
I believe that publicly funded and delivered education is the cornerstone of a vibrant, inclusive society. As your school trustee I will commit to ensuring that students and their schools thrive by:
Advocating for Funding - Strongly advocate that education funding be restored to appropriate levels.
Building Collective Voice - Bringing together the voices of all trustees to speak up for positive change in public education
Empowering Educators - Strengthening the partnership between SPSD, teachers, and support staff for healthy learning environments.!
My partner, Tannis, and our three children have all received our education in publicly funded schools. After graduating from the public school system, I earned:
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
Bachelor of Education (BEd)
Post-Graduate Diploma (PGD)
Master of Education (MEd) in Education Administration
These experiences have provided me with significant insight into the operations of publicly funded schools and school divisions.
With 22 years of teaching experience, I have continued a path of lifelong learning and service in areas such as:
Mediation
Public education and the law
Professional development
Trustee management and governance
Collective bargaining
Educational conventions and workshops
As a sessional lecturer, for students studying education at the University of Regina and as a laboratory facilitator for students studying Chemistry at the University of Saskatchewan, I expanded my educational perspectives even further.
During my teaching career, I volunteered extensively to enhance the school experience for students and staff by:
supporting students to enhance their leadership skills by advising student councils;
organizing science fairs, dinner theatres and, graduations;
coaching and officiating many sports at many levels;
co-leading the tech team which was at most extra-curricular events including school concerts.
Providing support for students in the school shifted to advocating for students and educators in the province when I joined the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation (STF) as a Senior Administrative Staff (SAS) member. Through direct interaction with the Ministry of Education and the Saskatchewan School Boards Association, I worked with STF colleagues to explore challenges within the sector and develop potential solutions. Being on the STF Provincial Collective Bargaining Committee for years, serving as a Director on the health plan for teachers, and supporting teachers in local associations as they prepared to enter into local negotiations with their school boards, has provided me skills ready to be applied as a school board trustee.
Publicly funded and publicly delivered education is the cornerstone of a strong, diverse, inclusive, and healthy society.
It is imperative that Saskatchewan people understand the need for investment in education.
We must proclaim a pro-education stance and make the learning experience the best it can be!
It is exciting to put my name forward as your candidate for Ward 9 trustee!
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Any help is much appreciated! Let's support education!