Name: Jen Yang Mezei
Website: www.burnabycitizens.ca
QUESTIONS (in 50 words or less unless specified)
Tell us about yourself. (100 words)
As a parent of children with complex learning needs, I understand the challenges many parents face navigating the education system. As an advocate for public education, I have seen how underfunding education has failed families, students and educators. In my past roles as Burnaby DPAC Chair and the BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (BCCPAC) President, I collaborated with teachers, administrators, trustees and parents at the district and provincial level on educational issues that are near to my heart such as inclusion, equitable access to education, curriculum, supporting diverse school communities and how to better support our most vulnerable learners.
What are the top 3 issues facing the Burnaby school board?
1. Effective and timely implementation of provincial changes to Curriculum, Special Education Policy manual, and Early Learning Framework in the next few years.
2. Addressing changes that arise after the funding model review this fall
3. Capital Funding for safety, accessibility and seismic upgrading
What has the current school board done right?
-Collaborative culture where teachers, administrators, staff and parents work together and made student-centered decisions.
-Minimizing cuts to classroom supports and services to students while facing budget cuts
-Expanding the array of trades, AP, academy and ACE-It programs to offer a variety of programs
What have they done wrong?
In my opinion, our district is too humble in its accomplishments. Communicating successes is an important part of communicating what is happening across the district, and fostering a district wide sense of community.
What is your favourite thing about Burnaby public schools:
I am incredibly proud of the diversity that is celebrated in Burnaby schools and the culture of empathy, kindness, inclusion and acceptance that is fostered at all our schools especially within the community school model.
What 3 people would you invite to a dinner party?
It depends…Do I have to cook?
Editor's note: Candidates were given specific word count guidelines and were cut off if they went over the count.
