Bonnie Poirier PSSD Trustee Candidate Subdivision Five

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

I want parents to be able to turn to me with their questions and get real answers. I know I won’t ever have all the answers but I will turn to others to help me get them and work until you feel you have been heard. Constituents have the right to be aware of the goings-on of the school board. This is an elected position and there needs to be transparency and accountability. 

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 an LPN for almost 19 years and have worked in both city and rural hospitals. I had been the facility manager for Prairie View Health Centre in Mankota for the last three and a half years. This time included the first three months of the pandemic, where I guided residents, their families and our staff through the ever changing policies as directed by the SHA. I hold a casual position in Mankota so I am able to be home to assist my husband on our farm and I’m fortunate to be able to be home with our kids.  

Working as a nurse, first in Moose Jaw then Regina and now where I call home, has given me the opportunity to work with very diverse cultures and people. Listening to their stories and experiences has given me a look into different ways of life, different thinking and differing of opinions. 

I am the mom of a kindergarten student and our daughter can begin pre-k next year so therefore I am very invested in the future of all education with a focus on rural education. 

3. Why should people vote for you?

I hope people vote for me because I’m ready to help our students, teachers and schools continue to achieve a high standard of education. To be their voice and bring their concerns to the forefront. 

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

I think the biggest challenge in education today is meeting the needs of students who are from diverse backgrounds, who require different teaching styles to make them successful, to make them feel encouraged and make them prepared for their next phase of education. There are many external issues facing classrooms that have nothing to do with teaching and education it is a difficult task to navigate through them. 

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?

Acknowledge and encourage the diversity found in each classroom, find out what each student excels at and set goals that will help them realize what they can do, implement teaching methods that will help each child uniquely achieve success, gain confidence in themselves and encourage them to develop their voice. 

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

A trustee’s role is to make the education system better for the teachers and students. To look at policy and see if there are changes that can be made to increase the success of the students. 

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?

While I’m fully aware of the sub-division boundaries I would be open and happy to hear any concerns regarding any sub-division in PSSD and would represent them in the same way I would represent my area. Geographical location may be different but the students aren’t. They all deserve the best education, the best experience and someone they can trust to bring their concerns to. I am a candidate who attended school in Moose Jaw (Palliser Heights and Peacock) so while I would be a rural trustee I am aware of the urban system.

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?

I have taken some time to look at the concerns regarding this and the concerns are valid, and must be worked through to ensure a relationship built on good terms with the area residents and school division. Building a school forever impacts a neighbourhood and the surrounding infrastructure and therefore potential issues need to be addressed in a timely manner to avoid further and/or lengthy disruption to that community. 

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

I would like every student to be able to look back over their time in school and say they felt heard, supported, appreciated, uplifted and encouraged to reach for whatever dream they had.