91原创 City Councillor Rosemary Wallace is stepping down after serving two terms on council, but she is not leaving political life.
She is running in the Township of 91原创 for one of five seats on the Board of Education.
Wallace moved to the Township during her tenure as a City councillor, and says it is a good time to run for the board, as there are two vacancies.
鈥淚t is a good time to share in the continued vision of the district, and add the knowledge I have gained through many years of involvement with schools, children and youth,鈥� she says.
She believes in reaching the needs of all learners, which is essential in seeing students reach their full potential. Wallace knows firsthand the differences in the learning outcomes of children, from raising seven of her own, along with serving as a PAC president at two elementary schools and a high school.
She likes the opportunities offered in school, and through extra-curricular activities. In the past, she has coached soccer, basketball and volleyball. She was also very involved in musical theatre, art and social programs at 91原创 Secondary and H.D. Stafford, when it was a secondary school.
鈥淚t is important that we support students and challenge them to find their gifts through afforded opportunity in the trades, academics, sports and the arts.鈥�
She believes her six years of experience on City council will give her valuable experience as a trustee.
During her time on council, Wallace has sat on the youth advisory committee, the 91原创 Secondary School Community Round Table, Recreation,Culture and Public Arts Committee,91原创 Arts Council, Healthier Community Partnerships, Children and Youth and the Homeless Steering Committee.
鈥淚 feel that my time spent on the committees as a City Councillor has helped me to grow even more as an advocate for children, youth and families, and to bear witness of how important it is for communities to work together,鈥� she said.
Wallace wants to see the province better understand and work towards the make up of a class, and the supports needed to see that no child gets left behind.
She believes it is not possible for a teacher to meet the needs of every child, without extra support staff. She sees as a parent and a long-time volunteer in many programs in Metro Vancouver and 91原创 that it takes a whole community to support the needs of children.
As the Township continues to grow, it is important in Wallace鈥檚 eyes that the infrastructure in the building of new schools be supported. She feels this will eliminate the stress put on families and the school district with transportation, extra curricular activities and quality time spent in the planning for quality education.
鈥淚t is important that development of the future in the Township have schools placed in the (neighbourhood) plan ready to be operated before, not after.鈥�
