What is the Role of a School Trustee?

I see school Trustees as having two main roles.  Number one is to be a systems navigator for parents and caregivers.   

The TDSB is Canada’s largest school board.  Figuring out how to best advocate for your child within such a massive system can be overwhelming, especially for families whose child(ren) has/have special needs.  

Having worked as a Constituency Assistant to my local MPP, I have extensive experience helping community members navigate complex government systems and advocate for themselves. Every day, I helped constituents understand their rights and options, connect with the appropriate services, and develop strategies to resolve problems -- not only in the education system, but with a wide variety of other provincial policies and programs, including ODSP, Ontario Works, and health services. 

As Trustee, I will bring that same approach to Ward 5. I will listen to questions and concerns, help families understand their options, connect them with the right people, and help them advocate for the needs of their children and their local schools, within both the TDSB and the provincial education system.

The role of a Trustee is also to act as an education policy advisor. Historically, Trustees have informed Members of Provincial Parliament, in particular the Minister of Education, about systemic issues and challenges in Ontario’s education system, based on data and testimony that Trustees gathered from local students, parents and caregivers, educators, Principals, and community organizations. 

Trustees can work in collaboration with one another - both across the TDSB and across Ontario - to amplify key issues to MPPs at Queen’s Park. Given that the TDSB receives approximately 90% of its budget from the province, it is crucial that Trustees communicate our public schools’ needs clearly and effectively to this provincial government.