What’s motivated four New West residents with busy lives to seek a seat on the school board?
The Record recently sent questionnaires out to the four candidates hoping to fill the vacancy on the New Westminster board of education. Today, we’ll hear their responses to the following question: Why are you running for school board in this byelection? (Responses were limited to 100 words)
The four candidates running in the Feb. 3 school board byelection in New Westminster (in alphabetical order) are: Jalen Bachra; Kathleen Carlsen; Alejandro Diaz; and Shawn Sorensen.
Jalen Bachra, Community First New West
While attending NWSS, I wanted to amplify student voices. I served as a School Board Student Trustee, and received the New Westminster Youth Ambassador Award. I brought forward Queensborough secondary students’ transportation challenges, and with others was able to get that issue in front of decision-makers. Now, through working with the city and my own family’s experience, I’m equally passionate about voices for working families and making sure schools work for everyone, regardless of means or needs. After a lot of work from our community, those Queensborough buses are running! That’s how powerful we can be when we work together.
Kathleen Carlsen, New West Progressives
To support ALL those in our schools every day.
To be part of a team that helps students, parents, teachers, staff, and the board work together for the betterment of all students in the district with no predetermined or political agenda.
To encourage the team to advocate strongly for fully funded classrooms. Under-funding affects every aspect of a child’s education from educational resources to safety to maintenance to simple classroom cleanliness.
To listen, learn and be open-minded and respectful to all students, parents, teachers, staff and community partners regarding the educational needs of ALL students.
Alejandro Diaz
Both of my parents were professionals, and I was raised observing passion for learning. Both my parents were teachers and my dad went to become a doctor later while he was still teaching.
School didn’t come easy for me but I put pressure on myself to excel in school, as I wanted to make my parents proud. I was fortunate to have the support from them but it’s important for people to know that this pressure is not always healthy. Not everyone needs to be a lawyer or a doctor; arts and skill trades are really important in today’s economy.
Shawn Sorensen
Every child benefits from a truly inclusive and equitable education system. I am running as an independent candidate as an advocate for inclusion. I am committed to ensuring that all students, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, feel safe, supported, and valued in our schools. This impacts every student in the district. Through my candidacy I will aim to champion strategies that foster a welcoming and respectful learning environment for all students. Together, we can build a school system that prioritizes equity, promotes inclusivity, and provides an exceptional education for every child.
In a previous story, we learned a bit about the four candidates, and in the coming days, the Record will continue publishing candidates’ responses to our questionnaire. You’ll find out what they consider the Top 3 issues in the school district; whether safety is an issue in schools; and why they think they’d make a good trustee.
