2022 Election

I have recently retired after a 32 year career as an educator, having been a resident of Grey Highlands since 1989 and raising a family here. I want to use my experience to contribute to maintaining and …improving public education in my home community. Of the years I dedicated to education, 10 of those were as department leader and 5 were spent administering and teaching in an alternative learning environment for difficult-to-serve students. My management and administrative experience make me well qualified to interact with a diversity of school board officials, teachers, parents, and students. I have been a longtime advocate for environmental education and activism, being a founding member of the Blue Mountain Watershed Trust, a founding member of the Friends of Flesherton Hills, and an ardent supporter of Elephant Thoughts, whose mandate is to “support positive change through education and opportunity both in Canada and abroad through global citizenship, environmental sustainability and quality education”. I believe that environmental education and climate change adaptation in particular, needs to be the central organizing principle of education at the elementary and secondary levels as youth prepare to face an existential threat in their lifetime. I hope to help guide board policy in Bluewater toward those goals as part of the Board of Trustees, holding senior school board management accountable and being an effective liaison between parents, teachers, and administrators. I look forward to engaging with school communities in Southgate and Grey Highlands and I am committed to working hard for all shareholders. More

I firmly believe parents should have a major voice in the education system and the fundamentals our children are taught. As such, parents should always have the final say on what their children are learning, …and this includes the right of parents to withdraw children from classes that contravene family beliefs and values. My experience in education is significant. I have an M.A., a B.A. (Hon.) and a Public Administration diploma from the University of Prince Edward Island. I have taught in the K-12 and post-secondary education (university and college) systems. I served as one of two researchers on the PEI Task Force for Student Achievement. In collaboration with Home & School and School Councils, I developed a Parent Handbook to support parents/guardians desiring to become more engaged in the education system. Professionally, I served as Community Development Coordinator for Canadian Blood Services, was a contributing member for the national Supply Chain Management Sector Council, established a transportation service for adults with special needs, and a summer day camp program for children ages 2-14. Currently, I am developing an accredited diploma program for adults interested in learning more about the intersection of global issues and biblical prophecy. I serve as Operations Manager for three local not-for-profits, and this year returned to school bus driving to help alleviate the shortage of school bus drivers in the area. Throughout my own life, I have successfully challenged public policy and legislation that went against hardworking citizens. My husband Reima and I live on a farm in Southgate. We have 7 children and 17 grandchildren. More

My name is Shenika Reid. I attended Seneca College where I excelled in my studies in Police Foundations and have been a recipient of the President’s Honor list. I later enrolled at York University to further …my education in Criminology where I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree with Honors. I am currently working towards pursuing a professional career in Family and Immigration Law. My years of commitment and dedication to community-based initiatives have opened up countless doors of volunteer opportunities with diverse organizations; such as but not limited to

• The “Dundalk Event Planning Community Group” where I am a Committee Member and Event Organizer.

• I am inclusively involved in various Ministries at “Legacy Christian Community Worship Centre LCCWC”, where I serve as a dedicated Youth and Young Adults Leader. As an appointed leader, I have created a safe space and place for youths and young adults to share their stories and express themselves through various forms of art, games, and open discussions in an anti-oppressive non-judgemental environment. I am also an active member in various departments within the ministry such as; the prayer team, adult choir, and praise team; I also contribute to the planning of social events and program developments.

• I am a Board Member of the “JunCtian Community Initiatives (JCI)” which is a Not-For-Profit Organization that is dedicated to empowering our community by delivering positive economic services and social programs for success.

• The “Dundalk Parents Group” as an Event Coordinator; a regular contributor to the “Dundalk and District Food Bank” I volunteered at the ‘Dundalk Fall Fair 2022”; and a frequent participant of the “South East Grey Community Health Center - Youth Summer Lunch Program”

In addition to the above listed, I have conducted research in Socio-legal and Criminological issues including, but not limited to crime, race, gender, and various intersections. I continue to pursue ways in which I can contribute to local community initiatives. As a result, my mission is to bring positive, ground-up, community-focused leadership with a fixed eye on integrity, inclusivity, diversity, and equity.

The focus of my campaign is to contribute to making a difference on the key issues that affect the Township of Southgate and the Municipality of Grey Highlands District. As a proud mother and a mother figure to many, I am committed to fostering the needs and full potential of students through empowerment, motivation, collaboration, accountability, adaptability, and advocacy from a fresh perspective.

“EDUCATION IS THE GREAT EQUALIZER” More