Wendy Vincent PSSD Trustee Candidate - Subdivision Six (Moose Jaw)

1. Why have you chosen to run for a school board trustee?

I have chosen to run for School Board Trustee because I have been involved in my children’s education and extra-curricular activities at both the elementary and high school levels, and I would like to continue to support and enhance the education of all students in Prairie South School Division.

2. What qualifications do you bring to the board if elected - these may include degrees etc but also life lessons as well?

I have been involved with School Community Councils at both the high school and elementary levels for the past ten years and have been an avid supporter and contributor of the Learning Improvement Plans at both levels of education.  I have two children still in the school system and one graduate and I know first hand some of the challenges that our students are facing.  I believe it is crucial to know what the students and teachers are facing on a daily basis in order to make decisions that will affect them directly.  

I have run the Moose Jaw Youth Flag Football League in our Community for the past eight years.  This has given me the opportunity to give back to the Community in a very rewarding way, supporting the growth and development of athletes from Grade 1 to 12.

3. Why should people vote for you?

I am a Licensed Registered Dental Hygienist with over thirty years of experience.  I believe my professionalism and ability to communicate with many people from diverse backgrounds gives me a well-rounded view of challenges that many different families face.  I will work tirelessly to support families and their expectations when it comes to their children’s education.  I will work very hard to navigate through the challenges that COVID-19 has created, and try and bring back some sense of normal to the day to day lives of our students and staff.

4. What do you see as the biggest challenge in education today?

I believe the ongoing fallout from COVID-19, whether it is a drop in grade level, navigating online learning, graduation rates, attendance levels or the lack of extra-curricular activities are all challenging in this unprecedented time.  We will need to provide support for the teachers, administration and the students over the next few years to settle in to the new way of teaching. 

I am very concerned about the mental health aspect this year as all the activities that students look forward to have been taken away.  Teachers and administration have the added challenge of trying to recognize when a student or staff member is struggling emotionally when they can’t see their faces due to the mandatory mask wearing. I believe we need to make sure that there is additional mental health counselling readily available in all the schools. 

5. Schools are changing with a very diverse student body - such as those of different races, languages, cultures, disabilities, sexual orientation, varying faiths, economic standing and others - how would you make the school system better so that everyone had not just the same opportunity but a fair and equitable opportunity to reach their full potential?

Moose Jaw is a very diverse community and I believe we need to support the schools in providing more resources to ensure all groups feel safe, heard and valued.  Providing professional development for the teachers and administration to help them with the various challenges that they may face on a daily basis is critical.  

6. What role do you see a school trustee playing in today's educational system?

I think a school trustee has to be informed, professional and have a solid knowledge of the educational system.  I believe being passionate about education and supporting the teachers, administration, students and parents is essential

7. As a trustee you are elected in a specified district but in reality you are a trustee at large and represent students throughout the division. Can you tell me if you are a rural trustee how would you represent an urban resident or on the other side of the coin if you are an urban trustee how would you represent a rural resident?

I am fortunate that in my role as a healthcare professional in our community that I get to communicate on a daily basis with a very diverse group of people.  I speak to students and staff from rural schools regularly and could take their concerns to the Board as necessary.  Whether you are representing a rural school or an urban school, everyone deserves to be heard.

8. Moose Jaw is in the midst of building a new school on South Hill. Although it is a big accomplishment there has been concerns raised by some residents on various issues regarding the new school. Can you tell me how would you work with the community to ally those fears?

It has been my experience with the people that I have had the pleasure to talk to in our community, that most people are excited about the prospect of the new school.  However, communication and feedback are vital when you are dealing with such a large project.  One of the roles of the Board is to be accountable to the community, so it is important to listen to the concerns of the residents and to take those concerns into consideration when implementing plans for the new school.

9. What would you like the students to say about their time at school?

I would love for students to say that school was the best time of their lives. My oldest son, who has graduated would definitely say that.  However, my two other sons who are in high school now, would say that the pandemic has changed everything for them.  They have no extra curricular activities and nothing to look forward to, as all activities have been taken away from them.  I would like to work towards bringing extra-curriculars back, whether it is athletics, choir, band or drama, so that they too, could say school was awesome again.