Occupation: Owner of Unison Yoga
Residency: in the College Heights area of Mission
Community involvement: I direct my volunteer time toward my kids’ schools and activities. I’ve taught weekly yoga classes at school & managed the hockey team.
Marital status/children: Married for 15 years. I have a 12-year-old son and an 8-year-old daughter.
Email: tracyfortrustee@shaw.ca
Social media: facebook, twitter
Website: tracyfortrustee.wix.com
What do you feel are two key education-related issues Mission voters should be considering when choosing trustee representatives in this civic election? Why, and what would you do to address these issues?
We need to improve communications between the board and parents (and the public.) Let’s move to a “push” style of communication and use technology to actively inform and engage parents. We must ensure that our standardized communication protocols are getting information to all stakeholders; including those for whom English is a second language, those who live in poverty &/or those without access to standard styles of communication. Improving the relationship between the board and the community will foster more inclusive processes and enhance public engagement. Vibrant, successful schools are essential to a vibrant community.
Our enrolment is declining and we are losing students to other districts. This means less funding for our schools and results in fewer programs and supports for our kids. The reconfiguration of moving to a single high school and two stand-alone middle schools is a step in the right direction. Now we need to ensure the programs these schools offer will set our kids up for success; whether that is in trades and technology, the workforce, or college and university. Let’s be innovative and work with community groups and partners to access additional funding and opportunities to improve student achievement. We need to involve teachers and support staff and use their input and expertise to guide resources and programming options. We must work together as team, in a spirit of collaboration and cooperation.