Cowichan Valley School District Trustee candidate

Website: www.cowichanstudentsfirst.org

Q1. Please tell us a bit about yourself and why you are running.

A: I am a wife and mother of 3 beautiful daughters.  I was born and raised in the Cowichan Valley and believe in public education.  I served several years on the Tansor PAC executive and eventually move to the Cowichan Valley District Parent Advisory Council where I was Chair for 4 years as well as one of their district advocates for parents.  My time on DPAC was an amazing learning experience and opened doors for me to sit on School District Committees.  After 4 years with DPAC I successfully ran for the Board of Education in 2008 and again in 2011.  I continue to volunteer in the school district and am pleased I was asked to sit on the District Scholarship Committee for the past 2 years as well I continue to teach line dancing at one of our local elementary schools. Supporting kids will always be a passion for me!

Q2. What is your vision for the school district, and how would getting elected help achieve it?

A: Should I be successful in my bid for the Board of Education I will continue to support the vision of “Success for all Students”.  I congratulate staff for working hard to increase student success levels however I       believe we need to continue to strive for even better outcomes.  I also support a need to continue to have conversations and consultations with the aboriginal communities to find out where they feel we can make changes to support improvements in transition rates as well as graduation rates.  Special needs students are very near and dear to my heart and I believe we need to continue to advocate for these students at both ends of the spectrum.  The current funding formula does not meet the needs of students and for myself advocating at the Provincial level to have this re-evaluated is important.