Bio:
Peg is an experienced leader, having served the last three years as Board Chairperson. She is passionate about public education, married, a grandmother and a parent of four district graduates. Peg is a strong advocate for increased funding that puts students first. Peg, a BCGEU life member retired from MSP in 2012.
Message from Peg:
Relief----- All of us involved in Public Education shared that feeling upon hearing the news of a negotiated settlement in the recent education labour dispute.
Schools are now open and kids and teachers back in class, and now, eagerness and excitement along with a rekindled energy to focus on our common purpose of providing our students with quality Public Education, is now the order of the day.
It is important to recognize there is also a sense of disappointment --“is that all”? Clearly this was a difficult time for all of us and for public education and it is equally clear that we still have a distance to travel to meet our collective expectations for public education in BC.
As we move forward to achieve and realize those expectations -- for our students, it is key that we recognize the importance of rebuilding working relationships. This is a time to heal and build upon our common goals and our shared vision; a fully funded public education system ensuring that each student is fully supported and can realize their full potentials.
We should be proud of our Public Education system, graduation rates are climbing, new programs that recognize different learning techniques and meet individual student needs are available (the hooks that sparks a love of learning). Music programs, coastal nature kindergartens, sport academies and choice for parents and students to name a few, none of which could have been achieved without the hard work, dedication and commitment from teachers, education support staff, administrators and parents.
I believe the public at large has a new awareness of the value and the needs of Public Education. We have an opportunity to collectively focus and work towards ensuring that quality Public Education remains a continuing priority of the public and high on the agenda for Government.
Teachers, Education Support Staff, Parents, Students, Trustees, the Public at large and the Government, we do have a common purpose here – it is – the provision of quality public education for our students, our children.
Every student is special; each has unique strengths and weaknesses that need to be supported in a safe and healthy learning environment. We don’t need rhetoric and confrontation, we need independent voices advocating for increased provincial funding for all students (special needs, exemplary and average); funding that gets resources and support back into classrooms.
Over the coming four years of this Boards term, I see a tremendous opportunity in public education. This is a time for leadership and a time for rebuilding our education partnerships. A time to put aside individual agendas, revitalize public education in a respectful and collaborative way and continue the push for increased education funding.
That feeling of relief we so recently felt will then be replaced by a collective pride in knowing that we have worked together to support public education, our communities and our student’s futures. I am running to be a part of that process and I am asking for your support on November 15.
Website: www.pegorcherton.ca