Recognizing the challenges that the Education Sector has faced during the Covid-19 Global Pandemic, I have decided that I would like to serve the students, staff, parents and other stakeholders by putting myself forward to run for the Quinte West trustee position for the Algonquin & Lakeshore Catholic District School Board.
I was previously a trustee for the Hastings and Prince Edward Roman Catholic Separate School Board prior to amalgamation (1994-1997). More recently I was the Chaplaincy Leader at Nicholson Catholic College in Belleville from 2006 until my retirement in August of 2020.
In this ever changing, fast paced world, education of our youngest citizens requires an education system that understands and meets the challenges that our students face in their elementary and secondary school years. We need an education system that can assess, meet and support the needs of all of our learners, with a sensitivity to the challenges that their families face in a time of many economic challenges. I sat on the Board of Directors for the Algonquin & Lakeshore Catholic Education Foundation for about 12 years ensuring that our families got some financial support in times of crises.
This changing education landscape also impacts our amazing school staffs – from school secretaries, custodians, education assistants, youth workers, chaplaincy leaders, teachers and school administrators. Having worked in a high school for almost fourteen years I know, from experience, that a school is a microcosm of our greater society. It is never the same day twice and staff must be able to pivot on a dime to meet the needs of students and to meet them where they are at – in any given moment. No small feat!
My husband Terry Cassidy and I raised a blended family of seven – six who attended Nicholson Catholic College and one who attended St. Theresa Catholic Secondary School. We are expecting our 11th grandchild in September and four of our grandchildren attend or have attended Catholic schools in our Board. Terry and I are members of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Frankford and regularly attend St. James the Minor Church in Stirling. I am president of the Catholic Women’s League at St. James and the Chair of the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development & Peace for the Archdiocese of Kingston. I am a certified Spiritual Director (Haden Institute 2014) and I have a Masters in Theological Studies (2011) from Queen’s University. My context and commitment in all that I do is grounded in Servant Leadership, Catholic Social Teaching and the two great commandments.
I can be reached at 613-921-0560 or at joannek.belanger@gmail.com.
On October 24, I humbly ask for your vote to become the next trustee for the ALCDSB in Quinte West.
