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Janice John-Mitchell seeks seat on Cowichan Valley school board

There are 19 contenders for seven trustee positions
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Janice John-Mitchell is running for school trustee in Cowichan Valley. (Submitted)

Janice John-Mitchell is running to be a member of the board in the Cowichan Valley school district.

She said she has a desire to contribute to the local education system as a parent with a school-age child who is attending public school.

John-Mitchell said she wants to see the Valley’s children gain the best education there is to offer in the public-education system.

“I worked as the president of the parents and teachers’ association at my daughter’s school in the past,” she said.

“I taught in a college on Vancouver Island for some time and can appreciate the work involved in being an educator. Being an advocate for the younger generation has always been a passion of mine as I believe their voices are not heard sometimes.”

John-Mitchell said that in efforts to continue advocating for youth, she is the president of the African Heritage of Vancouver Island youth committee.

She said she empathizes with educators and also recognises the importance and value of support staff.

“For instance, some students’ initial daily encounter would be a friendly bus driver or an office staff member,” she said.

“Not to mention the custodial staff who are seldom seen; they are very essential for making our schools a safe place. Everyone’s jobs in the education system are important.”

John-Mitchell said she is going to make every effort to contribute towards the development of best-practice approaches in the district in curriculum and funding models.

She said she also intends to address personal and systemic biases, values, and beliefs in the school district by raising awareness and inquiry.

“Doing so will address the inequitable outcomes of our diverse student population when considering literacy, numeracy, and engagement,” John-Mitchell said

“I oppose discrimination of any kind against someone’s identity.”

John-Mitchell said her key points in the campaign include more support for teachers and education assistants; diversity, inclusion, equal opportunity, and equity for all.

John-Mitchell can be reached by email at janicejohnmitchellforsd79@gmail.com.

Her website is https://janiceforsd79.ca/ and her Facebook page is john-mitchellforsd79trustee