The Trustee I Will Be

Running for school trustee is not something I take lightly.

A trustee is elected to represent a community and make decisions that affect students, families and education workers.

That responsibility matters to me.

So I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the kind of trustee I will be.

I want to be accessible

People should know how to reach their trustee.

Not just during an election.

Throughout the entire term.

I don’t believe a trustee can represent a community effectively without listening to the people who live in it.

I want families to feel comfortable reaching out with questions, concerns or ideas.

I want to listen before I speak

There are always going to be strong opinions in education.

Parents may see an issue differently from educators.

Students may have a different perspective from adults.

Different communities may have different priorities.

I don’t believe the answer is to choose a side before understanding the issue.

I want to listen first.

Ask questions.

Learn the facts.

Then make an informed decision.

I want to keep students at the centre

Every Board decision should ultimately come back to one important question:

How will this affect students?

Will it improve their learning?

Will it support their well-being?

Will it help create a safe and inclusive environment?

Will it prepare them for their future?

Those questions should guide our priorities.

I want to respect educators and education workers

Teachers and education workers are on the front lines every day.

They know students.

They understand the classroom.

They see challenges that may not be visible from a Board meeting.

Their experience and expertise deserve to be heard.

I want to approach those conversations with respect.

I want to ask questions

Being elected doesn’t mean having all the answers.

It means having a responsibility to seek them.

I want to understand the information behind Board decisions.

I want to know what evidence supports a recommendation.

I want to understand the potential impact on students and families.

And when something isn’t clear, I want to ask.

I want to be accountable

If I make a decision, I want to be able to explain why.

If something isn’t working, I want to be willing to acknowledge it.

And if the community raises legitimate concerns, I want to listen.

Accountability isn’t about being perfect.

It’s about taking the responsibility seriously.

Most importantly, I want to remember who I represent

A school trustee isn’t elected to represent one person, one group or one point of view.

A trustee represents an entire community.

That means listening to people who agree with me—and people who don’t.

It means trying to understand different perspectives and finding common ground wherever possible.

I am running because I believe I can bring a strong parent and community voice to the York Region District School Board.

I will be accessible.

I will listen.

I will ask questions.

I will advocate for students.

And I will serve Newmarket with integrity.

That is the trustee I will be.