I am a former teacher and have worked with school boards all over the province throughout my career. I have worked both directly as an educator, and more recently working with school boards in developing policies and procedures that help all children thrive.
Statement of beliefs
In my work, I have seen how critical the role of school board trustee is. In our province we have seen how chronic underfunding has been detrimental to our ability to provide best in the world education and opportunities. We have seen how attacks on students rights and teachers has been used to distract from real issues. We need change at all levels, including in school boards, with people willing to stand up and advocate for that change.
Priority areas
Adequate Funding for All Schools and Staff
Protecting Vulnerable Children from Scapegoating
Working with Other Boards and Outside Agencies
Views on funding
Schools cannot survive without adequate funding for both staff and students. As a former teacher I know that classrooms are becoming more complex, with students bringing a wide range of learning needs. However we cannot let these needs be viewed as a burden on our children’s education because these needs ARE our children’s education! I will advocate for more teachers, educational assistants, and specialists to reduce classroom pressures and ensure every student receives the attention and resources they deserve. I will also fight to restore early intervention supports and push the province to modernize the outdated Standards for Special Education, so staff are better equipped to meet the realities of today’s classrooms. School boards are advocates for their community and I have never seen our communities ask for less funding for our public schools.
How learning conditions can be improved
Strong advocacy requires partnership. I will work closely with other school boards, as well as other organizations, to fight for the funding and policies our students need. Whether it is pushing back against an underfunded curriculum, advocating to restore Jordan’s Principle funding for Indigenous students, addressing deferred maintenance costs, or standing up for the rights of our students and communities, I believe Edmonton Public Schools are stronger when we stand with others. By building broad coalitions, I will fight to make sure our communities voices are heard at every level of government.
How trustees and school boards can best support teachers
I think the role of trustee is to make public education the best that it can be. There is no way to do that without supporting teachers and ensuring they are equipped to do the job they are trained to do. Trustees should be relying on the expertise of the teachers in their communities when it comes to what makes a classroom work well.
Views on the new K-6 curriculum
I agree with the ATA’s assessment that teachers have not been adequately consulted. All evidence I have seen indicates that the new curriculum hasn’t been planned properly nor rolled out in a way that supports students and teachers.