What a time to be your OCDSB School Trustee! Over the past 2.5 years it has been a honour to represent your voice at the board table. Let's continue to empower our community - to listen, learn and take action for students.
In February 2020, I was appointed as the OCDSB Trustee for Somerset/Kitchissipi, Zone 10. Living through COVID as your trustee, I have spent most nights listening, learning and working to improve our education system and keep our school safe (after I put my daughter to bed). Important to informing my views has been active outreach to school councils, educators, community organizations, students and actively participating in the following committees: Student Senate; Advisory Committee on Equity; Indigenous Education Council; and Parent Involvement Committee
What else have I been up to? Here are some clips and articles from my role in important moments and issues faced by our community:
- Advocating for Cambridge Street Public School - improving access and program outcomes (Citizen article on my motion);
- Improving health, mental health and safety during the pandemic - the mask mandate (sample from board meeting participation), Mental health during a state of emergency (Kitchissippi Times oped), my motion to allow educators to wear high quality masks (Citizen article) and to extend the mandate during a time of high transmission;
- Ensuring safe zones for students during the trucker convoy (Ottawa morning interview) and getting out in the community;
- Allocating funds to Indigenous Graduation Coaches & an Equity Coach (my motion on Twitter); and
- Working together to end the SRO program and implement the Indigenous, Human Rights and Equity Roadmap.
In addition to these moments and issues, I worked hard to enhance policy proposals put forth by the incredible administration.
Words matter, from the text of sexual abuse prevention policy to the human rights and mental health policies, I worked with members of our community, administration and my fellow trustees to improve the everyday reality of students. Advocating for the province to do their part is also an important part of the role and we have so much more important work to do: respond to the Right to Read Inquiry; support mental health; improve education outcomes and supports for students in special education; demonstrate respect for educators and the important role they play in/for our community; fight climate change...
*Note that this is not an official page of the Ottawa Carleton District School Board. This is a personal election website paid for by the candidate. Any opinions expressed herein represent the official position of the candidate.