Election Questionnaire
Why did you decide to run in the 2010 school board election?
I am an incumbent trustee in Ward Three of the Louis Riel School Division. An experienced Board works closely with parents and the community. This respectful collaboration ensures that our students receive a quality education from the Louis Riel School Division. For example, our French Immersion Program is renowned throughout this continent, our Information, Communication and Technology Department has earned recognition and received prestigious awards from Micro-Soft and our English as an Additional Language and transitioning programs for refugee and immigrant children is heralded throughout Winnipeg. This EAL Program, administered by Tim McKay, provides our young newcomers the potential to become contributing citizens rather than turning to crime and gangs because of poor language and communication skills. The sustainability of these and many other programs, and new initiatives such as a technical vocational middle years immersion school, are the reasons I am running for the office of school trustee.
What experience will you bring to complement your role as school trustee?
My career has been diversified as will be our students. I have been employed as a flight operations for Delta Airlines, an entrepreneur in the retail grocery business, and finally a teaching principal instructing students from grades 5 to 12 in a multi-age, grade, level, and English as an Additional Language, educational setting. Lifelong learning and self-directed learning skills are crucial for the success of our students in this constantly changing and competitive world. As a trustee in the Louis Riel School Division, I have served on many committees. Presently I am chair of the Technical Vocational Education Committee. In addition, I have served on the Winnipeg Technical College Board for years. I strongly feel that students must have access to technical vocational programs to engage in meaningful learning thereby maximizing their opportunities in the work world.
What are the major issues you would like to stand for and why did you choose these issues?
This Division is well governed and maintained. However, there is always room for improvement. The main role of any school division is to develop literacy and numeric programs with high expectations. I would like to see students’ work or evidence of learning to confirm that these divisional and provincial expectations are being met. I would like to expand our EAL program to include support for parents in their struggle to enhance their language skills and independence. Our increasing Aboriginal student population requires programming to connect and harmonize school and culture; graduation is critical to independence. Early learning and Child Care in our schools must be addressed. Early learning successfully prepares toddlers for Kindergarten and the shortage of licensed day care facilities are a major concern for our working and very busy parents. Finally, I would like to initiate a middle year's technical vocational school whereby students in grades six to eight spend a full semester introduced to vocational education: apprenticeship programs, and vocational opportunities/careers that are offered at Winnipeg Technical College and the Louis Riel Arts and Technology Centre at the High School level.
Is there anything in particular you would like to change in your school division? In your ward?
I would like to see more collaboration with the community including budgetary discussions. How can we accomplish this? The Board has tried many approaches but it has not been successful. We need to hear from all voices in the community to determine need. Our student voice is strong but I would like to hear feedback from our student population regarding day to day issues in their schools.
Do you have any other comments regarding your candidacy?
If you want a lawn sign or need any clarification, please call: 253-1961 or e-mail me at: sarnia@mts.net
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