Investing in Our Future: A Plan for Durham Students
Our schools should be the foundation for a better society. My platform focuses on moving past “business as usual” to address the real-world challenges our students and families face today.
Academic Excellence & Accountability
- Strengthening Math Foundations: We must reverse the decade-long decline in math competency. I will advocate for a “back-to-basics” focus in early education to build a strong foundation, reducing the financial burden on Durham parents who currently spend hundreds every month on private tutoring.
- Faster Support for Special Needs: The wait times for IEPs are unacceptable. I will push for more resources and streamlined processes to ensure students with special needs get the support they need to thrive and integrate quickly.
- Equitable and Transparent Gifted Programming: A lack of clarity in how students are screened and selected for gifted programs leaves many families in the dark. I will advocate for standardized, transparent, and objective administration processes to ensure every high-potential child—regardless of background—has a fair and equitable path to advanced learning.
Future-Ready Students
- Preparing for the AI Revolution: AI is reshaping the job market. I will champion curriculum updates that equip students with the technical skills and ethical understanding needed for long-term career success.
- Mandatory Financial Literacy: Financial stress is a leading regret for many Canadians. Our graduates should leave school with the tools to manage debt, save for retirement, and build financial security.
- Modern Career Counselling: Traditional advice isn’t enough. I will advocate for programs that introduce students to the diverse, fast-paced opportunities of the next decade.
Student Well-being & Parental Rights
- Upholding Parental Rights: I believe parents are the primary experts on their children’s upbringing. I will work to ensure that discussions regarding sensitive personal topics remain within the home, respecting the boundaries between school and family.
- Addressing Chronic Absenteeism: We cannot solve what we don’t understand. I will push for data-driven strategies to identify the root causes of absenteeism, with a specific focus on supporting student mental health.
- Zero Tolerance for Bullying & Hate: Schools must be safe for every child. I will fight for clear policies to handle bullying ensuring our schools grow a generation characterized by respect and academic focus.
Our students deserve more than a diploma; they deserve a future.
