Deborah Williams, Toronto School Trustee, Speaks About Violence in the Schools

By Dimitrije Martinovic

Dimitrije is a staff with FOCUS MEDIA ARTS CENTRE

Recently elected Ward 10 Toronto District School Board (TDSB) School Trustee Deborah Williams, was interviewed by Focus Media Arts Centre's reporter Kedar Ahmed.

Asked about the key issues currently circulating at the TDSB in Ward 10, Deborah began by responding to the up-tick in school violence at the moment. She said, all students and staff need to feel safe, and the TDSB is currently assembling an expert reference panel on school safety and well being and a safe schools audit team isl being deployed to address school issues. Included in these initiatives are the Mayor's Office, Toronto Police, the Cities' Safe TO Program, and the Ministry of Education.

On the ongoing issue of bullying, Trustee Williams explained that the TDSB has a parent concerned protocol program in place. This process begins with a discussion with the classroom teacher, and depending on the outcome of that meeting, the issue can be escalated to a discussion with the school principal - following that if the parent involved is still unsatisfied, the parent can contact the Superintendent of Education. But key to all these measures is the notion that student achievement and student wellbeing be kept in the forefront.

In her final remarks, Deborah Williams underlined that, “Public Education needs to properly and adequately funded by the province of Ontario, our students are an investment in our future. All of these little kindergarden kids you see, they're going to grow up to be that nurse sticking the needle in your arm when your in the nursing home. That little kindergarden kid could grow up to be your next city councillor. That little kindergarden kid's going to grow up to be in every aspect of your society, we want to make sure that they are compassionate, critical thinkers, and that they reach their full potential to participate in our democracy and our society.”

As the new school trustee, Deborah Williams' responsibilities encompass being an advocate for public education, the maintenance of student achievement, wellbeing and and equity. Additionally, trustees must be able to identify the needs and priorities of their community and for ensuring these are considered in the decisions that result in practical educational opportunities for students. A trustee must do this in collaboration with the other members of the school board by developing policies that work for all students, and ensuring they are implemented effectively. It is the local trustee who makes sure that the community has a direct way to express its views on vital education decisions that affect our day-to-day lives. (https://elections.ontarioschooltrustees.org/WhatDoTrusteesDo/SchoolBoardTrustees.aspx)

Covering a large section of the downtown area of Toronto, Ward 10 extends form the Don Valley in the East, Ossington in the West, Dupont to the North, and The Esplanade to the South. There are a total 23 elementary school and 10 secondary schools within the ward.

Deborah's trajectory toward becoming a school trustee begins with her 10 year involvement as a parent volunteer serving at both the local school level and at the board level.

The project is funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage and administered by the Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS).