Children Come First. Publicly funded schools provide allchildren with the opportunity to learn. We need to do so in a way that honours their strengths, interests, and goals. Everyone Matters. Fostering a culture of respect and acceptance within the student body is an integral role of a school. Every person who walks through the door of a school should feel welcomed by the positive energy and sense of safety. I value the importance of nurturing inclusion and diversity.
Health & Wellness. It is essential for the schools to work in conjunction with the community to ensure that our children's most basic needs are met. It is critical that proper education and supports for mental health and wellness are established and available. Equally important is ensuring enough physical activity is in place in order to teach life-long healthy habits, increase focus and attention, and facilitate social development.
Connection. Resilient children and youth feel capable, and are less likely to fall behind in their learning journey. Providing and fostering positive supportive relationships is essential.
Community Hubs. To strengthen our communities and provide sustainability for the future, our education system needs to be integrated into the community, and reflect its needs. Engaging, interacting, and building community partnerships creates a stronger sense of belonging at the community level, and positively impacts each child's learning. To quote an old proverb, "It takes a village to raise a child."
Supporting Staff Supports Students. While the students come first, for their learning to thrive, we would be nowhere without our teachers and support staff. Celebrating successes, ensuring a safe and caring work environment, and providing meaningful professional development is shown to directly and positively impact students and their success.
Informed Decision-Making. Data, best practice, and community representation are essential. I am honoured to advocate locally and provincially, and value the relationships and input from school communities.