Name: Susan Carr
Age: 48
Occupation: school trustee
Q1. What experience do you have in public education?
1: I have been a school board trustee since 2008, in addition to having three children in the public school system (grades 4, 10 and 12. Prior to becoming a trustee, I served as an elementary school PAC secretary and co-chair. I also worked for six years as an SD42 noon-hour supervisor. Prior to making Maple Ridge my home 19 years ago, I worked as an executive secretary with the Vancouver School Board in the staff development/program services division.
Q2. Why should you be elected to the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Board of Education?
2. I seek re-election to the board of education to continue advocating for students and public education. I see the needs of kids evolving in our constantly changing world and I would like to continue participating at the board level in the crucial conversations that will steer kids to success. Kids are entering a very different world than I (and maybe you) entered, which makes it necessary for the adults of today to provide them with the tools they will need to be successful in their future endeavours. I will also continue to foster our strong working relationships with all our passionate and dedicated partner groups to ensure we provide the best learning environments for our students. Hosting our community forum on the future of education enabled us to begin conversations with parents, students, trustees, educators and civic leaders around educational direction and plans for the future – this was attended by 200 participants and I am keen to continue examining the data that came out of this event.
Q3. What do you feel are the most important issues facing public education, and how do plan to address those issues as a school trustee?
3. I believe student achievement has got to be the reason why we are here and is at the core of everything we do. I will continue to advocate for funding so that all learners are supported and prepared to face life as young adults. Quality public education must be a priority that our government can never lose sight of – this is the future of our children who will become the leaders of tomorrow. I look forward to my continued role on our education committee so that I can support programming that suits the needs of all learners – making learning relevant and keeping kids engaged. Through this committee we have supported the environmental school and various trade partnership courses in our district.