\u201cI want to continue to contribute to the public education system. At this time in my life I have knowledge, experience and most of all the time to fully immerse myself in this role,\u201d said Belluk, who lives in Charleswood in Ward 1 in the division.<\/p>\n Supplied photo<\/p>\n Janet Belluk.<\/p><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n Belluk said she\u2019s spent her adult life working in schools in a number of capacities, ranging from volunteering to the administrative secretary position in several Pembina Trails schools (early, middle and senior years.)<\/p>\n \u201cMy career with Pembina Trails spans over 25 years. I believe my overall understanding of the division and its workings, my first-hand experience of life inside schools and my passion for all of the above qualifies me for this position,\u201d said Belluk, whose three daughters attended Pembina Trails School Divison, two of whom now work in the division.<\/p>\n She highlights priorities including literacy and numeracy, engagement, equity and anti-racism, and allocation of resources, and program expansion to allow more students access to specialized programming.<\/p>\n \u201cAnother priority for me is to be involved with the schools and their communities. I want to do things like attend events and PAC meetings, allowing for parents and the community to get to know me, feel comfortable with me and their connection to the board.\u201d<\/p>\n Sharon Esau<\/strong>, 55, spent 22 years working as an educational assistant in Pembina Trails School Division\u2019s Ward 1.<\/p>\n \u201cIn that time, I have witnessed areas where I feel I could make a huge difference. I want to be attentive and put our student and staff needs in the forefront,\u201d said Esau, who lives in Charleswood and whose three adult children went to school in the ward.<\/p>\n Supplied photo<\/p>\n Sharon Esau.<\/p><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n Esau said she gained valuable experience in more than two decades in her EA role, and having retired in June, she now feels in a position \u201cto dedicate all the time needed for this important position.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI believe it\u2019s very important that before decisions are made we get into our schools to experience things first-hand. We need to personally witness what the needs of our students and staff are. We know that every school is different, so we need to be flexible and ready to change as our schools change. It is crucial to approach changing needs with current practices,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Esau added her priorities include building on numeracy and literacy outcomes and strengthening English as an additional language, providing safe and caring learning environments leading to students feeling secure and comfortable, examining food security, and providing more EA support in the classroom.<\/p>\n Jodi Funk Clements<\/strong>, 43, has been interested in running for the Ward 1 school trustee position for some time, and has a background in human resources and management consultancy.<\/p>\n \u201cI see a lot of similarities with regards to room for improvement in both of those areas,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd with regards to education, my kids are in school, still. So for us, it\u2019s very (close) to our lives on a regular basis.\u201d<\/p>\n Supplied photo<\/p>\n Brook Jones.<\/p><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n Funk Clements is part of the parent council at her kids\u2019 school, and said she has seen a few challenges when it comes to how leadership and administration supports its students.<\/p>\n She hopes to bring her conflict resolution skills to the table, as a lot of her career has been spent mediating and negotiating through tough situations, she said, adding that she\u2019s aware of the short time she would have before the civic election next year, and hopes to recognize which emergent challenges she\u2019d be able to tackle with the resources available, as well as develop a strategic plan.<\/p>\n Brook Jones<\/strong>, 47, is a multimedia journalist living in Fort Garry in Ward 2.<\/p>\n One of his motivations to run for trustee is to give back to the education system that he has so much affection and gratitude for.<\/p>\n \u201cI appreciate the education I received, including my time as an athlete with University of Manitoba Bisons. I\u2019m so grateful for the all the extra time the teachers and coaches put in, and now I want to give back the school system and the community as a whole,\u201d he added, noting he\u2019s a lifelong resident living in the Pembina Trails School Division \u2014 he attended \u00c9cole Viscount Alexander, General Byng School and Vincet Massey Collegiate.<\/p>\n Supplied photo<\/p>\n Pamela Gareau.<\/p><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n Teamwork is at the heart of Jones\u2019 philosophy, and he competed in cross-country and track for the VMC Trojans, and served as athletic representative on student council in Grade 12. He was also a youth delegate on the 1996 Canadian Olympic Team in Atlanta.<\/p>\n Jones is currently a freelance photographer for the Free <\/em>Press<\/em>, and he is serves as the president of the Manitoba Sportswriters & Sportscasters Association is also on his resum\u00e9.<\/p>\n He said strong elements of his skill set that qualify him for the role include his education, community involvement, and worker experience.<\/p>\n Pamela <\/strong>Gareau<\/strong>, 48, has been a member of the board at Roblin Park Community Centre for several years, and says that she wants to bring a sense of community back to the Charleswood-Tuxedo area.<\/p>\n \u201cAs an Indigenous woman, I understand how important it is that every student feels seen, supported and valued for who they are,\u201d Gareau said. \u201cI think our schools should reflect the diversity and strength of our community, and I wanted to make sure that every voice has a place at the table.\u201d<\/p>\n Supplied photo<\/p>\n Tim Rogalsky.<\/p><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n Gareau works at the University of Manitoba, where she administers student funding programs \u201cthat involve complex policies, accountability and fairness in decision making.\u201d She has also worked as an assistant controller at True North Sports and Entertainment and obtained a legal assistant diploma from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.<\/p>\n She said that one of her biggest goals is \u201cto bring the parents back to the board table\u201d and foster an environment \u201cwhere parents feel welcome, teachers feel supported, and students feel like they truly belong,\u201d especially as young people continue to require mental health support, Gareau said.<\/p>\n Samantha Pope<\/strong>, 36, a Shaftesbury High School alumnus, has always lived in the ward and has a young son who has just started kindergarten in the division. She is also very familiar with the education system, as she is a teacher and guidance counsellor in the St. James-Assiniboia School Division.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to give back and help ensure that all students have their own responsive experiences in school like I did,\u201d Pope said. \u201cI\u2019m running because I care about public education, and I believe in the importance of listening to families in the community, supporting staff and keeping schools welcome and safe for every student.\u201d<\/p>\n Pope sits at 12 years of experience in her current position and holds a bachelor of science with a major in mathematics, a master\u2019s degree in education, and a school counsellor certificate. She also volunteers on the board for the Charleswood Youth Soccer Association, working with \u201cover 450 families a year,\u201d as well as manages sports teams at the school where she works, working with a budget of over $100,000.<\/p>\n Supplied photo<\/p>\n Samantha Pope.<\/p><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n \u201cThese roles have taught me financial responsibility, strategic decision making, teamwork and how to balance different perspectives while keeping the focus on what\u2019s best for students,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Tim Rogalsky<\/strong>, 57, is an assistant professor of mathematics at the Canadian Mennonite University, as well as an applied AI researcher, and says that \u201ca strong future depends on our students, which depends on strong schools.\u201d<\/p>\n Rogalsky has been teaching for 25 years and has experience in program development and policy work. He currently sits on the board of the Mennonite Community Orchestra, as well.<\/p>\n \u201cPromoting AI literacy and responsible use of these tools is something unique that I think I bring to the table,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
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