2014 Election Archive

I am running for a seat on the Wellington Catholic District School Board in Guelph. I am 62 years of age and retired in June 2013 after a 34 year teaching career, all with Wellington Catholic. I taught …History, Politics, Theology, English and was a Department Head of Canadian and World Studies at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic High School for over 15 years. EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: Graduate of Bishop MacDonell Catholic High School in Guelph, Gradute – Communication Arts – Broadcast Journalism Diploma – Mohawk College, Hamilton, Honours History Degree – McMaster University, Hamilton, Bachelor of Education Degree – University of Toronto, Religious Education Specialist qualifications – OECTA. I have lived in Guelph all my life, except for a few years attending College/University and working as a News Reporter for CHML Radio in Hamilton. HOW TO REACH ME: Home Phone: 519-8363946. Cell: 519-400-9948. e-mail: joetersigni6@gmail.com. ABOUT ME: I was born and raised in Guelph and come from a family of 13 children. My dad, Dominic, was a Barber and my mom, Margaret, stayed at home. Faith formation was very important to my parents and embedded in my upbringing. My wife Elizabeth and I retired from teaching in June of 2013. We have four children: Paul teaches at St. Michael’s Elementary School in Guelph, Kevin is teaching in Hong Kong, Shannon is a supply teacher with Wellington Catholic and Katie is in her fourth year at the University of Guelph. I have been very fortunate to be the recipient of many National Teaching Awards and Medals for teaching. I am most proud of starting and continuing to assist in running the National Leadership Award program at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic high school in Guelph. Education is my life! GOALS: We are schools with a difference and God and a place for God are so important to that difference. If elected Catholic trustee, I will hold myself accountable to parents by working to preserve the distinctiveness of our faith, maintaining a focus on student achievement, helping to establish policy direction, and making decisions that place all students first. The vision of Catholic schools must figure prominently in the Board’s annual budget through strong faith formation opportunities and religious education development for all staff. I offer hard work and effort in representing the voice of parents and students by being open and respectful of all concerns. Participating in board committees will help me to understand and add input to board policy. Continued curriculum review, sustained opportunity for teacher professional development, and strong support for special needs students are all important to success in student achievement. We must seek out and inspire leadership potential in educators who have a passion for Teaching and especially, Catholic Education. God Bless! More