1. What makes you qualified to be a Trustee?
I believe I am qualified to be a Trustee because I bring a combination of lived experience, professional knowledge, and experience advocating for children, youth, and families. As a lifelong Ward 6 resident who attended local schools, I understand the importance of strong and accessible public education from both a personal and community perspective.
Professionally, I work in service navigation, supporting children and youth with disabilities and their families. I help families navigate complex systems, access services, understand their options, and advocate for their needs. I have also advocated for families through policy and
representation, giving me firsthand experience understanding how decisions at the system level can directly affect students and families.
My academic and professional path reflects my commitment to supporting children and families. My background in psychology, counselling, and Autism and Behavioural Science has given me a strong understanding of the diverse needs students bring into schools.
As a Trustee I would bring that experience to the work; listening to families and communities, understanding how policies affect people in practice, asking thoughtful questions, and advocating for a public education system where students and families can be heard, supported,
and represented.
2. What is your connection to this riding?
I am a lifelong resident of Ward 6 with deep roots in the local community. I grew up here, attended local schools, and have family members who currently attend schools in the community. My connection to Ward 6 is personal, longstanding, and continues today.
My professional work has also given me the opportunity to support children, youth, and families across Toronto, including families navigating disability services, education, and other systems.
Through my work in service navigation and advocacy, I have supported families in understanding their options, accessing services, and having their voices represented in conversations about policy and support.
I also recognize that schools like Northern, as a secondary school without a boundary, serve students and families from across the city. While my roots are in Ward 6, I understand that being a Trustee means listening to and representing the diverse needs of students and families who are connected to our schools, regardless of which ward they call home.
3. What do you see as the most important role of a school trustee?
I believe the most important role of a school trustee is to listen, represent, and provide accountable leadership for students, families, and communities.
A trustee should be a strong connection between the community and the school board; listening to students, parents, educators, and community organizations and ensuring their experiences and concerns are reflected in Board discussions and decisions. Trustees have a responsibility to look beyond individual concerns and consider what policies, resources, and system-wide changes can improve education for students across the TDSB.
That means keeping student achievement, well-being, equity, and access to meaningful support at the centre of decision-making. It also means asking difficult questions, being transparent about decisions, and ensuring that public resources are being used responsibly.
My experience advocating for children, youth, and families has taught me the importance of not only listening to people, but making sure their voices are represented when decisions are being made. I see the role of Trustee as bringing those voices to the table while working collaboratively with other trustees, staff, students, families, and communities toward a stronger public education system.
4. What issues do you think need to be addressed most urgently?
I believe several issues need urgent attention, and many of them are interconnected: school infrastructure and repairs, student mental health and well-being, sustainable funding, and class sizes.
Our students deserve to learn in schools that are properly maintained, accessible, and equipped for the future. The TDSB has a significant backlog of renewal needs, and we need to continue advocating for the resources necessary to address aging infrastructure and prioritize repairs.
Student mental health is another urgent concern. Students are facing a range of social, emotional, and mental health challenges, and schools need adequate access to qualified support and services. Mental health should not be treated as separate from student achievement; it is an important part of a student’s ability to learn and participate in school.
I am also concerned about ongoing financial pressures in public education and what those pressures can mean for staffing, student supports, programming, and resources in schools. We need to be thoughtful and transparent about how funding is allocated and advocate for resources that reflect the needs of students and schools.
Also class sizes matter. When classrooms become increasingly crowded, it can affect the amount of individual attention students receive and make it more difficult for educators to respond to diverse learning needs. I believe we need to closely examine class-size pressures
and advocate for adequate staffing and resources so that students can receive meaningful support.
I see these issues as connected. Students need safe and well-maintained schools, manageable learning environments, access to mental health and other supports, and the resources necessary for them to succeed.
5. If elected, how much time are you prepared to dedicate to this position? How do you anticipate spending this time?
If elected I would be prepared to dedicate the time necessary to properly fulfill the responsibilities of a TDSB trustee and to be an engaged representative for the communities of York South-Weston and Eglinton-Lawrence.
I anticipate spending my time attending and preparing for Board and committee meetings, reviewing reports and policies, listening to students, families, educators and community members, attending school and community events, and following up on concerns brought forward by constituents.
I would also make time to stay informed about issues affecting our schools and communities and to work collaboratively with other trustees and TDSB staff.
I would maintain open lines of communication with the community through email and phone, so that students, families, educators, and community members have a clear way to reach me, raise concerns, and share ideas. I believe accessibility and communication are an important part of representing a community effectively.
I understand that the demands of the role can vary depending on the time of year and the
issues before the Board, and I am prepared to be flexible and dedicate additional time when
needed. My goal would be to be accessible, informed, and fully engaged in the responsibilities
of the position
6. Is there anything else that electors should know about you before election day?
One thing I would want parents and school communities to know about me is that my experience has been closely connected to children, youth, families, and the education system.
I have spent time in classrooms as a volunteer, support worker, and advocate, and I have also supported students in specialized settings, including the TDSB’s Education and Community Partnership Program (ECPP), formerly known as Section 23 programs. Through these experiences, I have seen firsthand how different students can have very different needs and how important the right supports, accommodations, and relationships are to a child’s experience at school.
Through my work supporting children and families,I have also helped parents navigate the education system, understand their rights, advocate for IEPs and accommodations, and access supports such as transportation and other services.
I have also been involved in equity-focused community initiatives, which has given me experience listening to young people and bringing community concerns forward.
I believe these experiences have given me a perspective grounded in both the school environment and the experiences of families navigating the system. If elected I would bring that perspective to the Board while continuing to listen to students, parents, educators, and school
communities.
I want parents to know that I value open communication and that I would be committed to listening to their concerns and making sure their voices are heard.