Thanks to the support I’ve received over the past six years I have known the joy of a very rewarding experience – that of serving as a Catholic trustee. I have worked with dedicated and passionate people. This enabled my own dedication and passion to grow, thus my desire to seek re-election.

I work as a Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant. I am married to Dale and we have three children. We are members of St. Mary’s Parish and continue to serve that faith community.

Looking back on the past six years I see all that can be accomplished when partners in education work together. During my first term one of our accomplishments was the opening of Mother Teresa in Sylvan. This accomplishment multiplied during my second term with the opening of St. Marguerite’s in Innisfail, St. Francis in Red Deer and most recently Pope John Paul II Outreach School. Looking ahead to the next term it is with gratitude and pride we will see the fruits of our labor once again when St. Dominic’s opens in Rocky Mountain House. This school, in partnership with Red Deer College, promises to offer a multitude of learning opportunities. It will be with joy that we open a school in Olds, assisting that community to its right to Catholic education.
As we enter a new term the number of parents choosing Catholic education for their children will continue to grow. It will be exciting to work together in the implementation of the action plan to lower class sizes and increase the number of teachers – a response to a need for improved classroom conditions identified by all partners in education. With opportunity comes challenge. Ours is to acquire the necessary space to enable this opportunity to come to fruition – a task already begun.

In pondering our purpose over the past years it is humbling to be a part of the leadership and dedication that has allowed us to build our faith into the culture of our schools. Catholic education is not complete when knowledge alone is mastered. It is our duty and our privilege to serve as mentors on the journey. We must guide our students and each other to see the awe-inspiring presence of God in our daily lives.

If re-elected, I will renew my commitment to work hard to be the best Catholic school trustee that God intended me to be; my commitment to education and to children. Lastly, but of greatest importance I will renew my commitment to God and to my faith through daily prayer and working to deepen my own sacramental life as well as that of our students and staff. You cannot give to another what you do not possess yourself.

In Alberta we are blessed with the right to vote in the election of the Catholic School Board. I encourage you to take this right very seriously and make the responsible choice to vote on October 18. Thank you!