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Jennifer Blatherwick

Independent for Coquitlam School Board (incumbent)
My number one concern is the improvement of the well-being of children in our community.

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Biography

submitted by the candidate or their team
Elected to the School Board of SD43 Coquitlam in 2018, I also serve on the Finance and Audit Committee and as Board representative for other organizations, as well as volunteering out in the community.

COMMITTED TO EDUCATION IN COQUITLAM 

Since being elected to School Board in 2018: 

  • Board Member, ACCESS Youth Outreach Services (2022 - Ongoing)
  • Co-Chair, Tri-Cities Child Research Action Team (2021 - Ongoing)
  • Director, Coquitlam Foundation (2021 - Ongoing)
  • Master's Candidate for Degree in Educational Leadership
  • SD43 Board Representative to Metro District BC School Trustee Association
  • Chair, Tri-City Task Force on Daycare (2018 - 2021)
  • SD43 Board of Education Representative to BC School Trustee Association Provincial Council (2021, Ongoing)
  • Member, TCCAT (Tri-Cities Task Force on Opioid Addition)
  • Member, Homelessness Task Force 
  • Volunteer, The People's Pantry

As a 2018 recipient of the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers, Jennifer was recognized for her commitment to many school district, community, and provincial initiatives, including: 

  • Community Advisor to City of Coquitlam during consultation process for Rochester Park restoration, 2015-2016
  • Secretary/Member of PAC for Maillard Middle School, 2014-2018
  • Association Director, Odyssey of the Mind British Columbia, 2014–202-
  • Organizer of STEM day camps in Coquitlam & Burnaby, 2014–2020
  • Member of the Citizens Advisory Council for Metro Vancouver East Correctional Area, Federal Corrections, 2014–2017
  • Parent Reading Program Coordinator, Rochester Elementary, 2014–2016
  • Board Member, Creative Problem Solving Society, 2013–2018
  • Coach of Odyssey of the Mind team; 2013, 2014, & 2015 World Finalists; 2013–2018
  • Reading Link Coach, School District 43, 2013–2016
  • Social Coordinator for Rochester Elementary School, 2012–2014
  • Girl Guides of Canada Troop Leader, 2009-2014
  • Board Member, Life Skills Training Program in Surrey for young mothers to achieve graduation, 2004–2006
  • Volunteer tax preparation for low-income seniors, 2001–2006
  • Conversation partner and tutor for new Canadians, 1996-1998

Reason for running

submitted by the candidate or their team
Education is an investment in the future, and quality, safe, fact-based education is essential for all students.

Community involvement is a way to give back to the places we call home. Raising five children here in Coquitlam, I interact with the school system on a daily basis and know how valuable each resource is to our students and their families. 

I've been lucky enough to be able to volunteer at all school levels, on Parent Advisory Committees (PAC) and on the District PAC. Before I ran for school trustee in my first term, I also served on the Citizens' Advisory Committee for Corrections Canada. Many of the young people who go through the justice system are barely out of high school, and they are up to 10 times as likely to have a learning disability. I found myself thinking more and more - how did we get here? I knew I was too far upstream. Working as a trustee, I could passionately support early intervention for learning disabilities and work towards ensuring there was safe, quality, affordable childcare to support kids in their out-of-school time.

This last term reinforced my belief that working together is the best way to achieve change. Our current school system is excellent, and schools can continue to build on that good work to improve outcomes for all students, especially for racialized and Indigenous students. I am committed to furthering the thoughtful collaborations with municipalities and the province that maximize public assets by sharing buildings, fields and park space. Working together brings valuable assets to our communities, like the recent announcement of a Tri-Cities Foundry, a centre for supporting youth mental health.

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