Christine Ho Younghusband

Closing Up the Campaign

Monday morning after the BC Civic Election… Life returns back to normal.  Campaign signs have disappeared… I’m walking my daughter to school… and I return to my computer click-clacking away blogging, researching, and writing.  The occasional “congratulations,” “well-done,” and “way-to-go” from parents, colleagues, and community members makes life a little different.

Today, I am closing up my campaign as school trustee.  During this campaign, I was the campaign manager, financial agent, and politician.  I did not even have a scrutineer during election day.  It’s sometimes hard to believe that I was able to make it on top with such a modest campaign and few “peeps” helping me out.  I did have a little political posse who supported me behind the scenes, but ultimately, I assumed all of the “official roles” during my campaign trail.

All municipal politicians, win or lose, must submit a financial statement of money spent and contributed, monetary or in-kind, to the campaign.  I will also have to return the official list of registered voters from 2008 and fill out some other forms to ensure that my campaign has been transparent and legitimate.  In the meantime, I will close my “Younghusband Campaign” bank account and “Elect Christine Younghusband for School Trustee” Facebook page.

I will continue to Twitter @Christine YH, provide status updates on Facebook, modify my political website “Vote for Younghusband,” and write in my “YH Edu-Blog” about education from the perspective of a graduate student, math educator, and school trustee. 

I am really excited for what the future holds for me in the next three years.  I am working on my dissertation.  I am attending the SFU TLE Teaching and Learning Certificate Program for Graduate Students to teach university.  I am continuing to present at conferences and submit proposals.  I am looking forward to serving the residents of Sechelt on the School District No.46 (Sunshine Coast) Board and working with the other newly elected school trustees and Superintendent of Schools.

This only the beginning and I encourage everyone to take the first step towards living your dream.

Stage 1: Introducing Myself to Political Life

The 2011 BC Civic Election is now over.  6 weeks of campaigning has led to a climatic moment of winning a position as school board trustee in School District No.46 (Sunshine Coast) representing the District of Sechelt.  What an honour and a privilege to be chosen by the residents of Sechelt.  From what I understand, walking away with 1531 votes, leading the pack, as a newbie candidate is a phenomenal feat.  A teacher’s perspective would be an asset to the SD46 Board of Education. 

Before putting my name forward for the municipal election, I contemplated my reasons for running and how I would be perceived by the public.  With much thought and consideration, my motivations for running for school trustee are to contribute to public education and renew my involvement with School District 46.  I would only run for good reasons.

Before handing in my forms, I asked the election officer a flurry of questions before proceeding with the political process.  I asked if my educational consulting company and tutoring would be perceived as a ‘conflict of interest.’  She replied, “Your business is your livelihood.  This is how you make your living.”  Knowing this, I felt encouraged to put my name forward and announce my candidacy.  Only one day after my victory, I was asked if I would continue tutoring now that I am school trustee.

My impressions from the conversation made me feel like I may be doing something wrong tutoring students.  This information was made public during the All-Candidates SD46 Trustee Meeting on November 14th and I am not ashamed about continuing my teaching practice as a math and science tutor.  I tutor adults, home schoolers, and SD46 students.  My clientele is diverse and transient.

I understand why I would be asked this question and why tutoring would seem controversial.  When I taught in the public schools, I did not appreciate my colleagues tutoring students privately while they taught full- or part-time in the school district.  Yet, tutoring supplemented his/her income and supported student learning in a positive way.  For these reasons, why not tutor?

My educational consulting company is my livelihood.  I make a modest living while I study full-time at SFU as a doctoral student in educational leadership.  Tutoring makes me a better teacher and it keeps me in touch with student learning.  Giving workshops makes me a better educator and it keeps me in tuned with teacher learning.  Being a mom of an 8-year old daughter, a consumer of public education on the Sunshine Coast, gives me insight on elementary education and public schools.

Tutoring, my research, being a parent, or this blog can be easily perceived as ‘a conflict of interest.’  It would only be a conflict of interest if my intentions were ill-willed or destructive.  On the contrary, my involvement in education keeps me in-tuned with public schools on the Sunshine Coast, it hones my practice as a math/science educator, and I am helping students with their learning.  To answer the question, I am going to continue tutoring students while holding office as school trustee.

I am grateful for the question.  I need to make a living and fuel my passion for education.  Tutoring is part of the equation.  In the end, if anyone feels unsafe to talk to me about education or my intentions as school trustee, then how will I know what is going well and what needs to be worked on?

LEARNING IS DIALOGICAL.  Formative Assessment.  Learning Communities.  Restorative Practices.  Please do not hesitate to ask questions or share stories.  That’s my job as school trustee.

School Trustee Younghusband

Unreal.  It’s 3:30 am and I’m beginning to acknowledge that I was elected to be one of the School Trustees representing the District of Sechelt.  I had such a modest campaign.  I had a restricted budget and I was truly a novice to the political process.  With 1531 votes, I came out on top, edging out the incumbent by 28 votes.  What a victory.  And, I have only the voters and my supporters to thank.  I would not be where I am without you.  Thank you for acknowledging my love for education as a teacher, parent, and community member.  To be a part of School District No.46 (Sunshine Coast) is truly an honour and I’m looking forward.  I would like to thank all of the other trustee candidates for putting your names forward.  I am optimistic of the 2011-2014 SD46 School Board. 

Here is the local news article in the local paper, the Coast Reporter, listing out the 2011 BC Civic Elections for the Sunshine Coast.  Thank you Bloggies.  You were an integral part of my campaign.
www.coastreporter.net/article/20111119/SECHELT0101/311199996/-1/sechelt/rowe-new-mayor-in-gibsons-henderson-wins-in-sechelt

BC Civic Election Day – November 19, 2011

Here I sit in my husband’s car approximately 100m away from the West Sechelt polling station waiting for him to cast his vote in the 2011 BC Civic Election.  It is likely that I will be waiting here for about 35 minutes. Apparently, there is a huge line up to vote.  This is a good sign.  We came here earlier, before lunch, and the line was equally long then.  I hope that my daughter has someone to play with while they wait in line to vote.  Personally, what an excellent opportunity to blog and say THANK YOU to all of my supporters.  Running for school trustee in the community I had worked in as a high school math teacher for 16 years was not an easy decision.  Now at the end of the 6-week campaign process, I have no regrets.  I have met so many great people, I have learned how to make strategic campaign choices with limited funds, and I have learned that education is my passion regardless of I’m teaching, attending school, or running for municipal politics s a school trustee candidate.  I am truly grateful for this life experience and I look forward to the next chapter.

One More Sleep… What to do?

Move signs?  Send out emails?  Knock on doors?  Nope.  A nice quiet evening at home with the family seems like the best thing to do tonight.  Tomorrow is the CIVIC ELECTION.  From 8 to 8, I am hoping everyone in BC participates.  In the District of Sechelt, the Advanced Polls on November 9th and 16th combined had almost doubled the 2008 turn out.  Impressive.

To the District of Sechelt residents… Get out and vote for 1 Mayor, up to 6 councilors, and up to 2 school trustees… in addition to voting YES or NO in the non-binding referendum regarding Target Marine… Polling stations:  West Sechelt Elementary, Davis Bay Elementary, and Senior Centre. 

For more information about the SD46 Trustees, read All-Candidates Meeting for SD46 Trustees.

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR SUPPORT.  I love the Sunshine Coast.  I love public education.  I love advocating for kids and their learning.  In less than 24 hours, we will all soon find out if I will have the greatest opportunity to serve the residents of Sechelt as school trustee.  Tomorrow marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.  Looking forward.

35 More Hours… Who’s Counting?

Well… the Municipal Election is happening 35 hours from now.  On Monday, I was participating in the SD46 All Candidates Meeting for School Trustees.  On Tuesday, I attended the FABS Table Talks with the ‘new’ councilor and mayoral District of Sechelt candidates.  On Wednesday, I was out of town attending 2 wonderful presentations by Nel Noddings at SFU.  Today, I have been tutoring, delivering the last few flyers I had, and brought my daughter to swimming lessons.  After I blog, I will engage in the night-time routine, read with my daughter, and hopefully clean the house.  It may be another late night as I have to do some work for SFU as a site assistant for one of the MEd cohorts and do some revisions on my 3 chapter proposal (again).  What Friday has to bring is one tutoring session, my daughter’s swim club, and more work on my doctoral studies.

Every minute has been accounted for.  I could considering distributing more YH Handouts or knock on a few doors… but it seems to me that the YOUNGHUSBAND CAMPAIGN has taken a life of it’s own.  People have sent me emails expressing their support, some have approached me face-to-face to ask how my campaign is going, and others wish me the best of luck on Saturday.  I don’t want to over think the situation and honestly, the people of Sechelt will decide who is best fit for school trustee.  My small and modest campaign could not afford the large newspaper ads or an unlimited supply of campaign signs.  I had 9 large sign (now 7) and 48 little signs (now about 30).  I distributed about 500 mini flyers and I have maintained my blog, Twitter, and campaign website.  I attended a couple of FABS events and All-Candidates for Sechelt Mayor and Councilors.  I did a few profile write ups for School District No.46 Website, the Coast Reporter, the FABS (For a Better Sechelt) website, and the SCTA (Sunshine Coast Teachers’ Association) website.  That’s about it.

What my campaign is relying on is word-of-mouth, my performance during the All-Candidates for Trustees, my reputation as a public school educator, and the belief that I can do the job.  Will this be enough?  Who knows.  What I do know is… I am officially stepping back at this point in time from campaigning and taking tomorrow evening off.  Saturday, I will be getting the house in order, maybe grocery shopping, and possibly checking out Target Marine (the hottest topic of this year’s Sechelt Municipal Election).  That evening will wait patiently for the final count of the election.

Nel Noddings at SFU

With a few days left of campaigning, I have opted to return back to my graduate student lifestyle and commuted to the Lower Mainland from the Sunshine Coast to see Dr. Nel Noddings, PhD at SFU.  She is speaking twice today, once at the Surrey Campus and the other in Burnaby.  I signed up for both events.  Nel Noddings is a guru on the “ethics of care” and education.  I learned this morning that she had started her teaching career as a mathematics teacher.  This caught my attention.  This morning’s session was designed for students enrolled in the Professional Programs of the Faculty of Education.  Nel spoke about her new book about the love and hate for war.  This afternoon’s workshop will be about the “ethics of care” addressed to graduate students and faculty.  I am looking forward to listening to her speak again.  She has clear ideals and vision for education. I appreciate her passion and the work she does as an emeritus of Stanford.  Nel is someone to aspire to.

In the meantime, I am waiting for the second session to start.  I’m sitting in the lobby of the Halpern Centre at SFU-Burnaby with my Educ 809 buddy, Harri.  We met at the SFU-Surrey Campus this morning, had lunch together at the Surrey Central food fair (thank you Harri), and took Skytrain to the Burnaby Campus.  I got the chance to drop off my application to the Faculty of Education and engage in a bit of used book shopping at the AQ.  I bought 2 books for $4 that relate to my dissertation.  SCORE.  Very happy with my purchase and excited to be here as a learner to hear more about Nel Nodding’s views on education, conversation, and caring.

Today could not have happened without my awesome family.  After staying up all night to work on my SFU application package, I had planned to catch the 5 am bus at West Sechelt to catch the 620 am ferry from Langdale.  It was 5:22 am and there was no bus.  I started to panic.  Where was the bus?  Did I read the schedule wrong?  I did not understand what was happening with the Sunshine Coast transit system, but I was stuck.  I called my husband and he did not hesitate to come get me to drive me to the ferry.  What a guy… best of all, my daughter woke up to come for the ride, and my dog came along too.  It was a family morning adventure and I am truly grateful for my family.  What a sacrafice… What love.  Aside from feeling really tired today and spending time with my 809 buddy, the best part of the day was my family picking me up at the bus stop so early in the morning.

Thank you Randy, Zoe, Sally, and Harri for making my day at SFU x2.  I had a great day.

4 More Days

It’s 4 more days to MUNICIPAL ELECTION DAY 2011, November 19th.

I participated in my first and last All-Candidates Meeting for School Trustees on the Sunshine Coast, School District No.46 for the 2011 Elections last night at the Seaside Centre in Sechelt.  If you missed this event and would like to know more about your local trustee candidates, Sunshine Coast residents can watch the SD46 All-Candidates Meeting on Coast Cable 11 at 7pm tonight.  BE INFORMED.  Vote.

BTW:  I love this picture.  I am on my pedagogical journey with an underlying theme of STUDENT LEARNING.  For some, it may be difficult to understand some of the choices I have made.  For others, it all makes sense.  For me, it is a journey that I look forward to engaging in and discovering what I am suppose to learn and who I am meant to be.  I am an educational leader and how that looks will vary over time.  In 4 more days,  I hope to be known as SCHOOL TRUSTEE YOUNGHUSBAND representing the District of Sechelt who advocates for student learning, and creates active learning communities, and promotes safe learning environments.

Reflections on the SD46 All Candidates Meeting

Whew.  That was my first All-Candidates Meeting as a school trustee candidate.  It was an awesome experience to be amongst so many great SD46 candidates.  There were 14 of us.  Candidates were from Area 2, the Town of Gibsons, and the District of Sechelt.  Even the acclaimed trustee incumbent from Area 1 attended the event.

The All-Candidates Meeting was in Sechelt at the Seaside Centre from 7-9pm.  I believe I did OK with the 2 minute intro and 1 minute close.  Answering questions on-the-fly was challenging.  I had a slow start, but got better over time.  My overall self-assessment on my performance is VERY SATISFIED. 

Thank you to the organizers from the Coast Reporter and Coast Cable 11 for making the event happen for the SD46 trustee candidates.  School trustee candidates from Gibsons and Sechelt had very few opportunities to public speak, unlike those from Area 2.  I am truly grateful to have participated, to have my voice heard, and to be amongst so many great people.

If you were unable to attend the SD46 All Candidates Meeting and want to get to know more about the school trustee candidates, the meeting can be seen on Coast Cable 11 at the following times:

Finite Campaign Materials

5 more days until the municipal election on November 19, 2011.  Late last night, I drove around the Sechelt Area re-situating most of my small campaign signs to capture a new audience or remind others to get out and vote.

I purchased 9 BIG signs, 48 (really) small signs, and some photocopying for flyers.  I have a FINITE set of CAMPAIGN MATERIALS.  My blog is free, campaign website is free, Twitter is free, and my Facebook page is free.  I have a modest campaign budget.  With contributions, I am breaking even… a balanced budget.

Tonight at the SD46 All Candidates Meeting at the Seaside Centre, I will be distributing the last bit of flyers and doing the best I can to represent myself in public forum and on local television with my political platform as school trustee.  What I say and how I respond to questions matters.

Above is a picture of me with one of my BIG campaign signs and my first “Younghusband Campaign” cheque I wrote to pay for the signs.  I love these signs.  The small signs I like too, but they seem really, really small when standing next to 15 other campaign signs in Sechelt.  With finite campaign materials, every sign, flyer, and hand shake counts.  To my disappointment, I am down to 7 large signs and about 30 or so small signs.  One big sign disappeared in Wilson Creek, another sign has a fallen tree on it in Davis Bay.  As for the small signs, I’m thinking that people just want one for a souvenir.  I’m not sure what happened to them.  All that I know is, I will not be replacing them.

If you are a Sunshine Coast resident, I look forward to seeing you at the All Candidates Meeting tonight from 7-9pm at the Seaside Centre, or look forward to seeing me on Coast Cable 11.

On November 19th, Elect Christine Younghusband for School Trustee (District of Sechelt)