Welcome to Political Life

Being school trustee “officially” for 8 hours and “unofficially” for 4 days has been interesting to say the least.  It is not to say that I was not expecting what I have already experienced as an elected politician, but I was not expecting to be experiencing particular aspects of political life so soon.

My personal challenge throughout the campaign process and now as school trustee is to be authentic, honest, and open.  I have nothing to hide and I have no reason to lie.  My primary purpose for running as school trustee is to advocate for student learning from the governance and policy perspective.  To do so, I have to ensure that I have a clear mind and an open heart.

I have much experience as a classroom teacher and as a teacher leader serving the local teacher’s association as a professional development rep, staff rep, and executive member.  I am a mom, graduate student, SFU MEd site assistant, and math teachers’ association executive member.  I have much expertise in the field of education.  What I have to learn is the edu-politics. 

With blogging, tweeting, and facebooking… my life is pretty much accessible by anyone.  Yet, some information that’s out there in the social networking world can be and has been easily manipulated, misinterpreted, or misunderstood.  This is not good for a politician.  Now what?

Here is my stand… now that I am officially one of the SD46 school trustees representing the District of Sechelt… I have removed any local politician from my Facebook friends.  I can be easily followed on Twitter.  My Edu-blog is also accessible via twitter or http://christineyounghusband.blogspot.com/.  And, I have a campaign website at https://sites.google.com/site/voteforyounghusband/.

A line must be drawn between personal and professional.  I am a politician with full intentions of listening to the public, being active in public education on the Sunshine Coast, and advocating for student learning.  There are various school trustee training sessions and meetings scheduled in the next few months I am attending.  Right now, I am humbled and I am learning.  Avoid the drama.