Fellow Keremeos residents, I am Gary Johnson and I am putting my name forward in this community as a candidate for office of school trustee for School District No 53 (Okanagan Similkameen).
My wife, Linda, and I have lived in Keremeos for the past two years. I have an extensive background in the field of education having been a teacher, principal, superintendent, manager in an education ministry and private educational consultant. I have had the privilege of working in education not only in British Columbia but also in Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories and Australia.
Through these opportunities over many years, I have come to understand that learning is a life long process. I also understand the importance of keeping an open mind and and of listening effectively before considering action. I place a high value on seeing that every student has the best possible opportunity to learn and that teachers are provided with the tools they need to help every student in their care to learn at a rate each student can handle. I also highly value parent involvement in their child’s learning program. With limited resources these days and other challenges facing public education, accomplishing goals we all agree are desirable is not always easy. I think together with parents, trustees, ministry specialists and others interested in public education, schools will have the support they need to be successful now. If you share these views, I would appreciate your support on November 19. Thank you.