It is hard to describe
how remarkable it feels to be able to articulate that particular sentence, out
loud, in public. It comes from a great deal of soul-searching, list-making and
more conversations with parents, teachers, administrators, business leaders and
community members than I care to, or am even able to, remember.
I am intent because I
believe in living my life on purpose. I know who I am, and what I have to offer. I look
forward to listening---really LISTENING--- to the people who are as passionate
about public education as I am.
Practical, real-world experience driven by intention and purpose – that
is what I hear parents and community members yearning for; I aim to give it to
them. I am intent upon action. I aim to act upon what I hear, with integrity
and purpose. I hope you do too: October 21st
is rapidly approaching and I hope you vote with purpose.
I chose Trusteeship
because the role deserves the best possible candidates to manage, lead, govern
and inspire.
I chose Trusteeship
because I am passionate about public education. The outcomes are important to
me as a parent with a student in a public school in Ward C. Perhaps more
importantly I am passionate about the role of TRUST from people like you. The role deserves the best possible
candidates to manage, lead, govern and inspire because from this role
leadership is given to a vital process that develops our greatest asset: our children.
I have heard from various people and groups that they want a process
that delivers and executes the outcomes that they expect. Like open
schools in mature neighbourhoods and communities, intelligent infrastructure
planning, sustainable income and expense streams, and responsive representation
– that is what I hear parents and community members yearning for; I aim to give
it to them.
I chose trusteeship
because I am capable of serving the public interest. The opportunity to be an
advocate for the students, and their families, the service providers that
support them and their communities at large is an exciting one for me. I am an
outspoken advocate. I ask the hard
questions, and work to be part of the solution to them. I also believe in relationships, and that
there is no way to be a trustee without honouring the people for whom you serve.
Honour begins with clarity of purpose within
one’s self. To that end, I recently
created a training session for a group of leaders. In the pre-formative interview process with
those leaders they were asked to define their philosophy of life in a short statement
called a ‘Bumper Sticker’ philosophy. My Bumper Sticker reads ‘You get what you expect, and accept’.
I expect insight and
input from people like you. I expect to
listen and act upon what I hear. I
expect to advocate, tirelessly at times, for the interests of our children, and
the education system in which they learn.
I accept the clarity I receive from the people in Ward C: what you are
prepared to accept as well as what you are not. I look forward to a rich term as trustee,
honouring your hopes, dreams and expectations of public education in
Edmonton.