Winnipeg Election 2018

Diane Cameron - Seven Oaks - 2

Why did you decide to run in the 2018 (Winnipeg Civic Election / School Board Election)?

After retiring from a successful career as a teacher in Seven Oaks, I ran for school trustee so that I could use what I had learned about children and community to influence change at a board level. I was elected in 2014, and wish to continue to make positive contributions to the school division keeping the child at the center of all decisions.

I am particularly interested in the care and education of early years students, as I seek more opportunities for daycare in the division.   I would like more and targeted support for families with young children so that children come to the beginning of formal schooling the best they can be.  I keep current with research about young children and their learning and I am particularly interested in how nature enhances all learning and well-being for children.  Pre-teens and teens also benefit from the outdoors as it reduces stress and anxiety as these students try to navigate the many expectations and influences of our world today. Older students must be seen as individuals as we seek to support their particular passions and strengths.

I know I have the skills, experience and passion continue as  a valuable  trustee.

What experience will you bring to complement your role as (Mayor / Councillor / School Trustee)?

I was a  successful, respected classroom teacher and stay in touch with many families. I have been involved in organizing and presenting at conferences throughout my career, both locally and beyond in reading and  writing.  I look for the better way to reach children to build their academic and interactive skills and confidence as people in the world.

Seven Oaks is a leader in using nature in our schools, with school farms, gardens and blocks of outdoor time regular parts of students’ experiences.  As  board we support this with our new Agricultural Learning Centre, which will supplement local experiences at schools with access to a larger more intense experience.

I  am aware of the many ways money can be spent for little gain as big businesses insert themselves in education.  I believe in supporting teachers professionally so they can create solid learning experiences for our students in our own schools and diverse community. I teach one class annually in the UofW Developmental Studies Department on Early Years Education.  This teaching and learning has made me passionate about seeking better daycare opportunities in our community.  A solid accessible foundation of child care is necessary to support families and therefore the children.

What are some issues that you would like to stand for in your role as (Mayor / Councillor / School Trustee), and why are these issues important to you?

As a school trustee the following issues are important:

*  To have successful inclusion for  students with additional needs,  the assigned supports must be adequate for the particular student and setting.

*  Students must receive rigorous meaningful instruction in numeracy and literacy and the STEM areas from well-trained teachers

*  Physical experiences are important and should be provided by both specialists and classroom teachers, both in gym settings, specific venues and in the outdoors.

*  Our enhanced music experiences must continue as this supports all areas of students’ learning.

*  Our rich program of enhanced experiences in the arts supports the development of well rounded individuals.

*  Increasing access to daycare spaces across the division.

*  Increasing preschool support programs and parent education opportunities in schools.

*  Supporting diverse experiences for all such as summer camps, dance clubs, heritage experiences, outdoor learning

*  Seeking equitable commercial tax assessments, thus lowering residential tax

*  Continuing our lean operational mode, directing monies available to providing programs for students

CONTINUING TO BUILD ON OUR CULTURE OF INCLUSIVENESS, KINDNESS, AND RESPECT FOR ALL AGES AND ABILITIES, RACE,  LANGUAGES, ETHNICITIES,  CULTURES, RELIGIONS,  GENDERS, SEXUALITIES, and SOCIO-ECONOMIC GROUPS, thus making SEVEN OAKS STRONGER THAN EVER.

What is something that you appreciate about the (City of Winnipeg / the ward / the school ward or school division) you wish to represent?

Diversity is the strength of  Seven Oaks.  Our community makes room for all to live, work, learn and play comfortably.  Our school classrooms, hallways and playgrounds are snapshots of the all peoples of the world as students learn and play together.  In Seven Oaks we value an inclusive culture and intentionally work to develop this, through activities, dance clubs, literature and cross cultural experiences. Our annual POW WOW requires the huge soccer complex to showcase all the participants as children and families of all cultures come together in drumming, dance, and feasting.

I admire how Seven Oaks staff are respected as individuals and given professional opportunities to develop expertise in areas which benefits both  current students and the  future wider teaching/learning community. I appreciate how our administration know how to budget a per pupil cost of  about $1000 less than other divisions  so that despite a very low commercial assessment,  our residential tax rate is as low as possible.  I admire how the division looks to the wider jurisdiction to advocate for infrastructure development  and tax changes to help our taxpayers.  I appreciate how our school division plans ahead for schools during this time of explosive growth in our neighborhoods.

Do you have any other comments regarding your candidacy?

Many people do not quite know what a trustee does.  As a school girl in Seven Oaks, helping to serve at school teas, I believed the trustees sole role was to pour tea.  As a teacher, I saw trustees often in ceremonial meet and greet roles.  I can assure you that we as trustees  work hard out and about in our school communities, with our ears very much tuned in so we can represent you the citizens at board level, asking questions, developing policy and paring down budgets but supporting students.

I care very much about the students of Seven Oaks, past, present and future.  Future is very much on our minds as we seek to build spaces for our expanding community.  Our hard hats are worn more often that our tea party hats.  I have both a hard hat and a Garden Party Tea hat.  I have not yet worn the Tea Hat.

Thank you for taking the time as an interested citizen to read these statements about what I as a candidate for re-election as a School Trustee in Seven Oaks Ward II believes.  If you still have questions I would invite  you to email me at [email protected]