1. Please provide a short biography. Why have you chosen to run for trustee?
I have spent more than 30 years in Catholic education, serving as a teacher, consultant, coordinator, and director. For the past 19 years I have worked directly in the area of inclusive education, supporting students with a diversity of needs, their families, and staff across our division. I am also the parent of a son with a disability, which has shaped both my personal and professional advocacy.
Alongside my career, I have served on the boards of local, provincial, and national advocacy organizations for the past ten years. These experiences have taught me a wide repertoire of advocacy strategies and the importance of building networks and using stories to create change. Having recently retired, I now feel called to trusteeship as one more way to serve.
In these past few years, I have directly witnessed the erosion of funding, the strain on classrooms, and the challenges created by rushed curriculum and inappropriate assessment changes. At the same time, I have seen the resilience of our Catholic school communities and the strength that comes from faith and belonging. Trusteeship provides an opportunity to advocate for what our students, families, and staff need most.
2. What are your top three priorities for your division, and how would you work to meet those needs?
One of my priorities is protecting publicly funded Catholic education. Catholic education is a constitutional right in Alberta, but it is not something we can take for granted. Trustees must ensure our schools remain distinct in mission while safeguarding public funding so families can continue to choose Catholic education without additional financial burden. Strong Catholic schools are rooted in faith, wisdom, compassion, and service, and trustees play a key role in protecting that identity for future generations.
Another priority is ensuring equitable opportunities for every student. Classrooms are increasingly diverse, and the students with the most needs often feel the impact of underfunding most acutely. Trustees must not only steward resources wisely but also advocate strongly for fair and sustainable funding. This means building networks and exploring new approaches to advocacy so that the realities of our classrooms are clearly heard at the provincial level. Equity is not about lowering expectations, but about ensuring the right supports are in place so that every learner can flourish.
Finally, I believe strongly in building trust through collaboration and equity. Our division is strongest when families, staff, and parishes are engaged in meaningful dialogue. In recent years decision-making has shifted toward limited consultation, leaving people feeling unheard and dealing with the fall out of rushed decisions. Trustees have an important role in facilitating trust by ensuring voices are genuinely included and respected. Building collaboration also means ensuring leadership within the division reflects the gifts and diversity of the whole community. When decision-making is fair, transparent, and representative, we create a culture where all voices matter and where trust can grow.
3. How would you aim to attract and retain students within your division?
Families choose Catholic education because it offers something distinct. It offers schools where faith and learning are fully permeated, where care shapes the way we teach and lead, and where students are formed in wisdom, compassion, and service. To attract and retain students, we must continue to ensure excellence in teaching and learning, while also strengthening relationships with families and parishes so that our schools remain vibrant, faith-filled communities for generations to come.
