What Are Our Students Really Dealing With?

As a parent, it’s easy to look at our kids and think about whether they’re doing well in school. Are their marks where they should be? Are they keeping up? Are they making friends? Are they happy?

But I think we sometimes forget just how much young people are dealing with today.

Our children are growing up in a very different world than we did. They have constant access to social media, they see things online that we never would have encountered at their age, and many are feeling pressure about school, friendships, their future and what they think they are supposed to be.

I’ve watched four children go through public education, and one thing I’ve learned is that every child is different. What works for one doesn’t necessarily work for another.

Some students need academic help. Some need extra support socially or emotionally. Some are struggling quietly and may not know how to ask for help.

And sometimes a child who looks like they’re doing just fine on the outside isn’t.

That is why I believe we need to look at the whole student.

Of course academic achievement matters. Reading, writing, mathematics and strong foundational skills are incredibly important. But so is having a student who feels comfortable asking for help, who has someone at school they trust, and who feels like they belong.

I don’t think we have to choose between high academic expectations and supporting student well-being. We need both.

Our educators are seeing these challenges every day in their classrooms, and I think their experiences are incredibly important to the conversation.

So are the experiences of parents and students themselves.

After more than a decade volunteering in York Region schools, I’ve had the opportunity to see our school communities from a number of different perspectives. I’ve seen the incredible dedication of educators and the difference involved parents and strong communities can make.

That’s one of the reasons I’m running for trustee.

I want to be someone who listens to students, parents, educators and school staff, and bring those perspectives to the Board table.

Our students are our future.

They deserve the opportunity to learn, grow and find their own path, and they deserve adults around them who are willing to listen and support them along the way.