Student Success, Safety and Belonging

Every student deserves to learn in an environment where they feel safe, respected, included, and valued. Strong schools in the GVSD are places where students can develop academically, socially, and emotionally, and where every student has the opportunity to succeed. As a trustee, I would support policies and decisions that promote positive learning environments, student achievement, a strong sense of belonging, inclusion, and keep students safe. We need to ensure policies and initiatives are in place to reduce bullying and address incidents between students.

This includes all students, including Indigenous students, LGBTQ+ students and students who are new to Canada. Each of these students should feel welcomed, respected, supported and safe in our schools in SD61. Creating positive school environments benefits not only students but also teachers, staff and families.

Supporting Teachers, EAs and Staff

Teachers, EAs, and other school staff at schools are essential to creating successful learning environments for students in SD61. They work every day to support students, manage complex needs, and build positive learning environments. With my own personal experience, and as a trustee, I will listen to the experiences of staff and advocate for decisions that provide them with the resources, support, and working conditions they need to do their jobs effectively.

Responsible and Transparent Use of Public Resources, including Before and After-School Care

Trustees have a responsibility to ensure public resources are managed carefully, effectively and with students at the centre of their decisions. I believe that decisions about budgets, programs and before and after-school care need to be guided by long-term planning, with a clear understanding of how they impact student learning and well-being and families in Victoria. The public funds available to SD61 must be used responsibly, and be transparent around the priorities the Board have chosen, the trade-offs that will result, and the outcomes they hope to see. We are lucky enough that our SD61 elementary schools offer before and after-school care; however, availability does not mean all families can get a space.

While all school districts, including SD61, face complex financial pressures and difficult choices, we must push to find ways to improve the use of public resources, while protecting the supports and services that have the greatest impact on students. As a school trustee I would advocate to the province for additional funding to support SD61. I would also push for increasing the spaces available in before and after-school care and advocate for further expansion of childcare support in our public school. I would also ensure the Board of Education carefully considers financial stewardship, accountability and decisions that ensure resources are directed to where they can make the biggest difference for students, staff and school communities.

Protecting Student Opportunities and Supporting Every Learner

All students benefit from being supported in our schools with the opportunities they deserve available in their education. Supporting every learner means recognizing that students have their own strengths, interests, learning needs, identities and pathways to success. As a trustee, I plan to advocate for evidence-informed approaches, strong inclusive education, mental health support, and decisions that consider the needs of all learners in SD61. This includes supporting students with learning challenges, disabilities, accessibility needs, and providing mental health support.

Programs such as music, arts, and exploratory education are an important part for students to have opportunities to develop creativity and unique skills and abilities in the classroom.

I hope to have the opportunity as a trustee to push the GVSD to ensure students have access to EAs, Inclusive Education Teachers, Indigenous Education Teachers, English Language Learner Teachers, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Teachers, Counsellors and Speech-Language Pathologists.

Communication and Community Engagement

Public education when strong schools are built through meaningful partnerships with students, families, staff, Indigenous communities and the broader community here in Victoria. I will prioritize open, respectful and accessible communication so that people understand the challenges schools and SD61 face, the decisions being made and the reasons behind them.