Editor's note: BradfordToday and InnisfilToday have asked candidates for school board trustee in the area to provide a synopsis of why they are running for public office. The following is from Katarina Gottfried who is running for English Catholic School Board Trustee. Municipal elections take place Oct. 24.
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As a proud parent of two children in the SMCDSB, a long-time member of the Bradford community, elementary school volunteer supervisor and a professional public servant, I am running for this office because I passionately believe that we can do better; that we must do better. All of our children deserve a higher quality education that prepares them well for our ever-changing world, where they are taught life-long skills and strategies that will give them the tools to adapt and learn, where they are empowered to thrive, and can develop into well-rounded, confident and innovative adults for the future. Our children are the foundation of our community, and our country; they are our future. It is important to me, as I am sure it is important to all parents, that we see school policies being set in the best interest of the students.
I was born and raised in former Czechoslovakia. After the Velvet Revolution in 1989, I spent five years attending a school of economics in Vienna, Austria and came to Canada in 1996 on a live-in caregiver visa. I put myself through college while working a night job, and received my Law Clerk diploma in 2002. I have been working as a legal assistant and law clerk ever since, and have spent the last 7.5 years working as a public servant for the Town of Bradford. My family and I are members of the Holy Martyrs of Japan Parish, and we are fully committed to raising our children to grow in Christ and guiding them on their journey to spiritual maturity.
I know that a school board trustee can greatly affect our children’s day-to-day and long-term experience at school. I am confident that through my work and life experiences, I can be a strong voice and a strong advocate who can make the voices of our students and parents heard. I am a good listener who will hear and consider the concerns of all children, parents, community members and teachers equally, and who will always put a lot of research into relevant issues in question. My priorities are the mental and physical well-being of all students and staff, fostering common sense, transparency and accountability, funding and resources, and bullying policies.
I am ready to establish a trusting relationship with the students and parents; I am ready to seize the opportunity and hit the ground running and serve the community.
