Heather Grieve

Candidate for School Trustee 73 - TEA1

Nomination Documents

Contact Information

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Website: Click to View

Personal Information

Resident of: Westsyde

Incumbent

Political Experience:

I was elected to the SD 73 Board of Education in October 2018. I am the current Chair of the Board of Education for SD73 Kamloops-Thompson. In my first term as trustee, the learning has been immense. I have been privileged to be a part of the development of the districts strategic plan, been a part of some difficult decision making that has impacted families in our communities based on our space challenges and have learned lessons along the way. We have faced many challenges through the global pandemic and the loss of an elementary school to a fire in 2019. We have many needs as a district and are a district that is growing rapidly. I am both committed to, and passionate about the work and advocacy being done to meet the districts’ needs.

Biography

My name is Heather Grieve and I am honoured to be the current Chair of the Board of Education for SD73 Kamloops-Thompson. I am in my first term as a school trustee. I am a long term resident of Kamloops and am actively involved in the community as a coach of youth sports. I am a single parent to a 15 year old who is a student in our district. I spent 23 years of my career working in the field of mental health and substance use. I believe in our Education system as a place of connection for our students, families, staff and communities. I am extremely grateful for those in the school district 73 community who have been a part of my families village and seek to be an active participant in the betterment of our district.


Organization Endorsements

Kamloops & District Labour Council

We are the elected representatives of roughly 13,000 unionized workers in the Kamloops area covering Merritt to Valemount and Chase to Lillooet.

Our affiliates work collaboratively to advance the economic and social welfare of workers and with other progressive organizations in the promotion of social justice and human rights as described in the United Nations’ Charter of Human Rights.

We are members of the BC Federation of Labour and the Canadian Labour Congress, the latter of which represents over three-million unionized Canadians.

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Answers to Questions from the Public

What steps will you take to work towards action on Truth and Reconciliation?

Asked by: Kamloops and District Labour Council asked the City Councillor, Mayor Candidates
Heather Grieve Answered

Truth and Reconciliation will take continuing the work and being aware of the 94 calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and what they mean. In addition to continuing to educate myself through participation in Truth and Reconciliation events and educational opportunities, I will continue to support student, staff and community members in participation and engagement in Truth and Reconciliation events and education. I will ensure that we are honouring and acknowledging the lands and territory we live in. In our School District, I support continuing to listen to and learn from the Indigenous voices in our communities. I support continuing the valuable work with the district Aboriginal Education Council members and our Aboriginal Education Workers as we work towards improved Aboriginal student graduation rates. I will seek to understand how was can support increased graduation rates for Aboriginal students in receiving a Dogwood certificate. I will continue to support the work to enhance cultural humility within our spaces and allowing all students to feel connected with a sense of belonging. I support working to ensure that our Aboriginal students can see themselves in their school environment.

What are the top three critical issues facing your community?

Asked by: Kamloops and District Labour Council asked the City Councillor, Mayor Candidates
Heather Grieve Answered

We have a number of issues facing our community. We are experiencing a number of social issues with the overdose crisis, homelessness and housing costs/cost of living and issues that are divisive and polarizing,

What do you believe are the critical issues facing your community and school district?

Asked by: Kamloops and District Labour Council asked the School Trustee 73 - TEA1 Candidates
Heather Grieve Answered

Critical issues facing SD73 at this time are space issues and a need for capital funding. In addition Teachers, Teachers On Call, Certified Education Assistants, Aboriginal Education Workers as well as other specialty staff positions are experiencing worker shortages that are an issue within our district. We have faced increased challenges in our district over the last two years and it is essential for us to continue to foster an environment that Ensures all students, parents and staff are welcomed into our education system feeling safe and accepted and able to thrive.

Issues within our community are the Overdose crisis, homelessness, mental health and substance use concerns, crime and the impacts of many social issues on community members and local businesses. These issues are also have impact within our school communities.

Are you or have you ever been active in any community organizations, actions, or campaigns?
Describe your volunteer work, positions, and any tangible change to the community from your involvement. Are you still involved with this work?

Asked by: Kamloops and District Labour Council asked the City Councillor, Mayor, School Trustee 73 - TEA1 Candidates
Heather Grieve Answered

I have been actively involved in community coaching in youth soccer, basketball and volleyball. School and community sports wouldn’t be possible without community volunteers and believe that I have been a part of giving increased access to sports to youth in our community through volunteering my time. I am a parent who volunteers to assist with Kamloops Volleyball Association club team duties. I am still currently involved in coaching. In the past I have been a volunteer at a crisis line, and a volunteer member of the community critical incident stress debriefing team. I believe both the crisis line and critical incident stress debriefing volunteering offered supports to persons in crisis and those impacted by critical events.

Have you ever been a candidate or volunteered in a previous civic, provincial, or federal election? If so, please give details.

Asked by: Kamloops and District Labour Council asked the City Councillor, Mayor, School Trustee 73 - TEA1 Candidates
Heather Grieve Answered

I was a candidate for School Trustee in the 2018 civic election in the City of Kamloops.