Edmonton District

Platform

Our profession is filled with both unique challenges and great rewards. To ensure that every teacher’s voice is heard, we need a strong, unified provincial ATA that reflects the diverse needs of our community of educators. Recent issues, such as new curricula, provincial bargaining, underfunded support systems and mental health concerns, have added considerable strain on our profession.

My passion and reason for being a teacher centre around the belief that each person has the capacity to make a difference. In the 24 years that I have been a teacher, the people in this profession have shaped so many lives. Their impact reaches far and wide and it has also shaped me into the person that I am. I am honoured to be part of the community that helps to guide the future of our society, and I feel fortunate to be part of an amazing profession surrounded by creative, thoughtful and innovative colleagues.

My passion for advocating on behalf of ATA members, my adaptability in problem solving, and my unwavering dedication make me a strong candidate for the role of district representative.

Biography

The first steps of my journey began in Saskatchewan where I grew up as the oldest of three children. I attended French immersion schools and then headed to Faculté Saint-Jean for university. I have spent my career teaching a wide range of grades (4–12) across diverse educational settings—suburban and rural districts, English and French immersion schools as well as both public and Catholic systems.

Over the past 23 years, I have served in multiple leadership roles at the local, regional and provincial level. Currently, I have been proud to serve as local president of Greater St. Albert Catholic Local No. 23 since 2013, and president of North Central Teachers’ Convention Association since 2019.

As a student in Redwater School, I encountered the transformative power of literature and the profound influence of teachers. Inspired, I pursued a career in education, hoping to awaken in my students a similar appreciation for the artistry and meaning found in literature.

As my teaching career began, another passion took root: advocating for public education. In 2001, I joined Elk Island Public, and in 2002, I stood alongside my colleagues as we went on strike, a moment that profoundly shaped my understanding of the vital link between education and democracy. The lessons of that pivotal strike stayed with me when I moved to Sturgeon and compelled me to become actively involved in my local, first as political engagement officer and eventually as local president—a journey defined by a growing resolve to strengthen our profession.

Throughout my leadership, I have sought to amplify the voices of teachers and safeguard the integrity of our profession. From organizing trustee forums to tackling the difficult issues of working conditions, I have championed strong, collective advocacy. This commitment extends to our allies—like supporting our CUPE members during their ongoing strike—because solidarity matters.

We are in challenging times in education. Every day, teachers in Alberta are forced to sacrifice their well-being to overcome the stark contradiction of working in the wealthiest province with the most underfunded education system in Canada. This is unacceptable and must not continue.

As district representative, I will

• advocate for sustainable working conditions that allow teachers to end each day with energy and dignity;
• champion teachers so they can take pride in their work and receive fair, deserved compensation; and
• empower teachers to stand up and demand the respect and recognition they deserve.