Armed with my Juris Doctor of Law degree, I was ready to tackle the world. As fate would have it, I met my husband Barry, and settled in Burlington, where we have resided for 22 years, and raised our 4 children. We have tried to instill in our children familial loyalty, respect for self and others, and the gift of giving back to the community, always volunteering. We have owned and operated restaurants in Burlington, Oakville, and Mississauga, and continue to do so.
As my fourth and last child enters Notre Dame High School this September, it seemed that the natural progression of my public service was to put my name forward as Trustee for the Halton Catholic District School Board, which provides the best in Catholic education to over 29,000 students at our schools.
While volunteering at St. Gabriel for 13 years, I was active in the classrooms, Pizza Day Coordinator, sat on School Council as both Parent Rep and Chair, and was asked to become a member of the first School Uniform Committee, to pursue elementary Board-wide Uniforms, and to report to the Board. Working endlessly, and passionately, after rounds of meetings and surveys, I am proud to say the School Uniform Pilot Project was implemented, and has become mandatory as of last September at St. Gabriel.
I want to be a part of the creation of new ideas, to challenge one another’s thinking, to build networks and to plan for the future of Catholic Education, which is entrenched in the Constitution and Charter of Rights.
Students live in a media world, connected by cell phones, the Internet, and reality T.V. Some know little about their Catholic faith or Church traditions. The need for partnership between home, school and Parish is imperative, perhaps more so than ever. Everyone needs to take part and be responsible to ensure Catholic Education continues to be available for future generations.
I want to be a part of the great challenge that exists...
“We can do no great things; only small things with great love.” – Mother Teresa
