ABOUT ME

Hi, I'm Christine!

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME

As a parent with one child in the public school system, and one recently graduated, I value the partnership schools play in raising and shaping our kids, and recognize the importance of having a voice and presence in these communities. Following four years of service on my School Council, I pursued Trusteeship with a desire to better understand our Division, the provincial education system, and a commitment to advocate for the needs of all students.

I am dedicated to helping shape a learning environment that empowers students to succeed with confidence, compassion, innovation, and care—preparing them to make meaningful contributions both locally and globally.

Lethbridge has been my home for nearly 30 years. In that time, I have built strong connections through my work as a Therapeutic Parent and Youth Worker, as an Early Learning Educator, and through many years of volunteer service as a youth leader and peer counsellor. I have served 2 terms as Trustee for the Lethbridge School Division.

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

Under the authority of the Education Act, school boards exercise leadership through governance in three areas: fiduciary leadership, strategic leadership and generative leadership.

I have exercised this leadership through dedicated board participation, serving and leading various board committees, policy work, attending school events and school council meetings, and pursuing joint advocacy efforts with business and municipal leaders of Lethbridge to our provincial leadership. I have served as Board Chair for two years, and Vice-Chair for four years.

Under the Alberta School Boards' Association I have served as Zone 6 Vice-Chair, sat as a member of the Position Statement Writer's Guide Committee, and completed the School Board Trustee Governance Program through the University of Calgary.

I am a relational leader who values integrity, accountability, and open communication. I listen carefully to diverse perspectives, seeking to understand all sides of an issue and gain a broader view. I believe growth comes through shared perspectives, continuous learning, innovative practice, and fostering a culture of welcome, safety and trust.

Leadership is both a privilege and a responsibility, and throughout my two terms as Trustee these principles have guided me as I built relationships, engaged in meaningful dialogue, and used my voice to help shape decisions that impact our Division in both positive and challenging ways.

GOVERNANCE STYLE

ADVOCACY

Where voices need to be heard

Trustees, elected by their communities, provide leadership through policy, accountability, and advocacy—ensuring local voices help shape the vision and direction of our schools, seeking always to do what is best for students.

As your Trustee, I commit to advocating for the following:

A Healthy and Thriving Division Culture: to build unified community with collaboration, transparency, and trust. Students, staff, and parents need to know they are valued, seen, heard, and supported. Our schools and workplaces must strive always to be welcoming, safe, caring and respectful.
Full Funding for Every Student: inclusion without appropriate funding is exclusion. Public schools provide the foundational blueprint for choice in education. Historic insufficient funding has led to significant inequities. Full funding will allow for appropriate supports, essential resources and excellence in the opportunity for every student to be successful in their journey.
Stronger Achievement Results: The 2023/2024 Annual Education Results Report for Lethbridge School Division shows areas of accomplishments as well as areas for continued growth. Exploring innovative approaches in short- and long-term strategic planning is necessary to bring success in this area.
Parent, Staff and Student Voice: to continue to strengthen the role and voice of parents within the Division, to value the expertise and perspective of our staff, and to provide more opportunities for students to share their perspectives to impact and invest in their education journey, ensuring meaningful avenues for all stakeholders to feel heard and be involved.
Cross-Ministerial Collaboration: Education is our business. As we continue to utilize wrap-around services we must explore joint-advocacy efforts for appropriate funding which will allow students to receive necessary supports.
Indigenous Education: to ensure that the TRC Calls to Action in Education will always be a priority and supporting Indigenous Education for all. This will enable our Division to become a community that continues to grow in understanding, to see with compassion, and to live with an inclusive spirit.
Division Fiscal Responsibility and Accountability: to ensure the distribution of funding reflects the values and vision of our community.